2F in a .44?

How big of an idiot would I be if I put 2F in a .44 ball and cap?

I’m perilously low on 3F but have several cans of 2F. Real black is like finding a hen tooth where I live in Las Vegas. I am broke and don’t want to order a case from Powder Inc. just yet.

So how horrible of an idea is it?? :’(

Should be almost trivial, perhaps a waste of unburnt powder.

But I am not as experienced as others here, so lets hear what their vast knowledge says...

I wish there was a (legal) way to trade powder as I have two cans of 2F I’d like to trade for 3F but there are few if any black powder shooters in Las Vegas to trade with.

I use FFg in my Old Army .45, .40 flint pistol and .40 under hammer. Try it you may like it.

You are not horrible or even misguided if you shoot 2fg in your 44. In fact my first experience shooting black powder was using 2fg in a 36 brass framed Navy Arms revolver. Thinking back, I don't think the salesman who sold me the powder and ball knew what he was doing either.

The 2fg will function just fine.

I’ve contemplated trying 2F Olde Eynsford. I prefer the idea of using one powder for my rifle(s) and pistols, but they have to be energetic enough out of a handgun for hunting, and this, among a couple of others, might just do it. Energy doesn’t supersede accuracy, but I require a certain level. 2F should work just fine but be a little more dirty and I’d think the small charge in a revolver chamber would burn in a standard length barrel and possibly in the shorter Sheriff’s version, but maybe not so well in the compact guns. For just shooting and having fun there’s no reason not to use it. Sure beats staying at home wishing you had 3F!

If you are punching holes in paper, tin cans, and rabbits it won’t make much difference. It may require a slightly different point of aim and maybe not. 2f May foul more than 3f which will effect how many cylinders you can shoot before cleaning or lubing the cylinder pin. I would shoot it and have fun.

2fg works perfectly in my Remington Navy .36".

As others have said, no problem. Might change point of impact slightly but otherwise go ahead and use.

I must add, this is kind of funny because I'm running low on ffg, but have lots of fffg. Low on fg for my Bess too, but the stores in my area have only had fffg, or ffg, (but not Swiss ffg) whenever I'm in town....but I avoid the city as much as possible.

For what it is worth, I use 30 grains of 2f in my brass framed .44s as a regular diet.
Softer recoil and hasn't caused any problems with the frame.
As far as POA I haven't noticed any difference at the yardages that I have used it at.
Nor have I noticed any difference in the amount of residue.
So if ya got it use it! You may find that you prefer the 2f for your target shooting.

Hi Smokey - 2f with a little larger granulation than 3f will burn a bit slower and hence produce less velocity. Otherwise it's fun stuff in a revolver. Burn it and have fun. No problem. Some six-gun shooters even prefer it over 3f.

My Remington 58 definately shoots tighter groups with 2F than with 3F. Full chamber loads are plenty powerful.

I use 2F and Pyro RS in my Beals revolvers when I run out of 3F. I only shoot at 20 yards so POI change isn't drastic.

Just test it out and find out how much shoots accurate.

Smokey Plainsman said:

How big of an idiot would I be if I put 2F in a .44 ball and cap?

I’m perilously low on 3F but have several cans of 2F. Real black is like finding a hen tooth where I live in Las Vegas. I am broke and don’t want to order a case from Powder Inc. just yet.

So how horrible of an idea is it?? :’(

Click to expand...

You are over thinking it. If it’s blackpowder and if fits, shoot it. May not work as well as you want, or it may be best load you have ever found for your gun. Consider any ‘rules’ about what granulation to use, be it f, ff, fff or ffff for example, to just be recommendations. Go for it. Others will disagree.....

Back when I had a C&B .44 revolver, I was doing CW Reeinactments as part of an Artillery group.

I used FFg and even Fg depending on what I had on hand.

The good folk holding the Reeinactments always gave us 5 to 10 pounds of powder.
What we didn't use shooting the canon was divided among the group members after making some powder charges (2 ounces black + 4 ounces baker's flour for a little louder "boom" and a little extra smoke) for the next event.

Our "Captain" used a .36 1851 Navy, loaded with FFg or Fg powder.

He and I never had a failure to fire or any chain fires when firing our revolvers.

I never had to actually buy any powder for my rifles or revolvers.

SDSmlf said:

You are over thinking it. If it’s blackpowder and if fits, shoot it. May not work as well as you want, or it may be best load you have ever found for your gun. Consider any ‘rules’ about what granulation to use, be it f, ff, fff or ffff for example, to just be recommendations. Go for it. Others will disagree.....

Click to expand...

Couldn’t agree more... you’re learning from that pistol every time you shoot it. What it likes, what it dislikes and it’s also an opportunity to improve your ability as well. You can’t burn too much powder.

Smokey Plainsman said:

I wish there was a (legal) way to trade powder as I have two cans of 2F I’d like to trade for 3F but there are few if any black powder shooters in Las Vegas to trade with.

Click to expand...

I know what you mean, when Rays Beaver Bag closed it pretty much screwed all the BP shooters. I stopped at a lot of the gun stores and as soon as you mention Black Powder their eyes go blank and they just kind of walk away. If someone opened a store that caters to BP shooters they would make a mint. Back quite a few years ago I was albe to buy BP at Accuracy Gun Shop. I have no idea if they still sell it.