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Swiss experiences please

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In the next few months I'll be shooting a new flint rifle :grin: in .50 cal. with a 1:56" twist. I have a large supply of Swiss 3Fg on hand I bought for my wife to use in her .40 cal. capper. But, she gave up shooting. I have fired, maybe, 40 rounds through her rifle using the Swiss. Results were disappointing. I do not like wasting anything. At today's powder prices I would like to make use of this Swiss I already have. What can the jury tell me about their experiences switching from standard powders (Goex, Shuetzen, etc.) to Swiss?
 
I've shot a lot of Swiss brand powder in both rifles and smoothies. It's been my experience that it is good, clean shooting (for black powder),potent stuff. I do not think that you will be disappointed. :thumbsup:
 
Yes, of course. I should have said I would try it. I'll be shooting for group in my backyard at 50 yards before going hunting blue ribbons. Fortunately, I have five pounds of Scheutzen on hand in case the little guy doesn't like the Swiss.
 
It sounds like your wife's rifle might not be broken in yet. You said you fired about 40 rounds but, how many shots had your wife shot with it?

As for using Swiss powder, like all of the various components that go into a load, each one will need to be tested to find out which one works best.

Before giving up on the Swiss, go back to ground zero and start developing a load from scratch.

You may find that Swiss powder shoots so well you'll be willing to pay the higher price to buy some more if it. :grin:
 
I use Swiss fff for most everything now a days, from 32 to 62 caliber rifles, and even in 12 gauge with success (although I have a double that may be favoring Swiss f). You just have to find the load that makes the gun happy. I find it simpler to stick with one powder and just vary the charge for each gun. Once I settle in on a load for a gun I may make or get a fixed powder measure or two for it.

When trying different powders found that most would have at least one, if not two charges that would work with an individual gun, patch and ball combination. Sometimes different powders shot the same with the same charge, but most times not, especially by the time you got to a 100 yards.

Years ago I was given a collection of powders from different manufactures with a variety of vintages by a buddy of mine who's uncle had passed away. Buddy didn't shoot black powder... Collection had multiple ff, fff and ffff powders. Could get most of them to shoot accurately, just not always to the same point of aim or with same powder charge. Point is, as others have mentioned, you should be able to get the Swiss fff to work fine with some load development. Actually think that is one of the fun things to do with a new gun. Also agree Swiss is a little more energetic than most other powders.

Wish I would have kept all those old powder cans. Saw this post just before I was getting some powder out, so lined up a couple of containers, both old and new, and took a photo. Also interesting to see some still with the original price tag on them. $2.10 for a pound of powder....

mK45wBO.jpg


JAS64Wg.jpg
 
Zonie said:
It sounds like your wife's rifle might not be broken in yet. You said you fired about 40 rounds but, how many shots had your wife shot with it?

As for using Swiss powder, like all of the various components that go into a load, each one will need to be tested to find out which one works best.

Before giving up on the Swiss, go back to ground zero and start developing a load from scratch.

You may find that Swiss powder shoots so well you'll be willing to pay the higher price to buy some more if it. :grin:


My wife has given up shooting. That rifle is now a safe queen. :( When my new rifle arrives I will spend time, powder and lead developing loads. I've rearranged my backyard range so I now can shoot at 50 yards compared to previous 35.
 
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