Testing Swiss 3F in a Couple of Rifles

[PastorB]

Took two of my Pedersoli's to the range today, a Blue Ridge Rifle (1 in 66"), and a Rocky Mountain Hawken (1 on 65"), both in .54. My goal was to test performance and accuracy of Swiss 3f and develop standard loads for each rifle. For years I have shot Pyro and Goex, but now that my supply of Goex is gone, it will be straight Swiss from henceforth. Pyro P has given me fine results over the years, but I am not going to use it for any serious shooting going foward, as long as I have access to Swiss. Even if Goex becomes available again, Swiss is such a superior powder that I will only use Goex again if that is all that is available. Shot over the chrono at 10 yards, and target was set at 100. Got pretty decent results with most every load, except 90 grains of powder in the BR. I actually think it was me, as the horizontal spread was minimal. I think I was flinching anticipating recoil, which is quite sharp in the light rifle. The RMH is much heavier, and shot great with stout loads. Groups were all 2"-3" @ 100 yard, which is as good as I can do with Old Man Eyes, and it is sufficient for anything I need to do. Here is my field notes, copied from notepad.

54 blue ridge .530 rb .015 linen

60 grain Swiss 3f

1551
1515
1548

75 gr. Swiss

1744
1777
1756

W/ .020 patch

1663
1718


90gr Swiss

1842
1789
1860


.54 RMH 60

1554
1530
1548


.54 rmh 75 gr.

1637
1684
1660

.54 rmh. 90 gr.

1779
1900
1880
1775

.54 rmh 100 gr.

1953
1962
1949

 

[necchi]

Wow, 100grns of 3F Swiss in a 54(?),, no doubt you where picking up some flinch!
Chrono results don't always equal target results with ML, there's too many other physical variables that have to be included in bottom line accuracy results.
I mean it's nice to know, but SD can be easily attributed to bore condition from shot to shot, honest right?
I've tried Swiss 3F in my guns 50 and 54, way too hot, went to 2F and got better target results, (never clocked it), the groups told the story to me.

 

[hanshi]

I like Swiss 3F in my .32 and just might test it in my .36. But in my .45 & .50 I prefer Something along the lines of Goex & Graf's and even Jack's Battle Powder 3F.

 

[hapEcat]

I only shoot 70gr 3F Goex, and .535" PRB in my .54cal TC Renegade, so I'm nowhere near that much.
When my stash Goes runs out, I'll probably switch Schuetzen or maybe Swiss.