Took the opportunity on a glorious NW Missouri Feburary afternoon to "Bust some Caps" in my .54 Pedersoli Rocky Hawken. I used a 70 grain spout for all loads to imitate my actual hunting practice, a Speer .530 round ball, and prelubed .020 patches. I have measured on an electric scale in the past, and my maximum variance while using a spout in less than 1 grain, or in other words, no consequence. Was not shooting for groups, as I already know what this rifle does. Still, to have 4 different powders all hit within 2.5" of each other at 50 yards is nice. I am out of Goex, and have no plans to purchase any more, as Swiss is vastly superior. With like loads swiss gives 200-300 fps greater velocity in every rifle I own. Per usual, Swiss 3f and Pyro P were identical, within shot to shot variation. I now use Swiss exclusively for hunting, as I can easily (except price, Ouch!!) acquire it. Hodgdon 777 varies wildly in my rifles, and I get some hangfires (none today) in my sidelocks. My remaining 9 lbs. will be used exclusively in revolvers. Bonus pic of my 140 lb. Labradane who hates when i shoot off the back deck. Here are my notes, copied and pasted.
.54 RMH 70 grains (volume) .530 PRB .020 patch
Swiss 3f
1693
1695
1758
Pyro RS
1535
1488
1553
Pyro P
1701
1670
1592
3f 777
1608
1629
1755
.54 RMH 70 grains (volume) .530 PRB .020 patch
Swiss 3f
1693
1695
1758
Pyro RS
1535
1488
1553
Pyro P
1701
1670
1592
3f 777
1608
1629
1755