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Powder 3f or 2f

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Crow#21957

50 Cal.
Joined
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What are you shooting from your 20 gauge Fusil? I know the rule is 3f up to 50 cal and 2f on up. I had one 20 but thought I shot 3f in it but my memory is not that great. So help me out anyone use 3f. Is one any better?
 
I've always used 2fg in my large caliber rifles and my smoothbore. I have a good deal of 2fg left. I plan to use it up then may switch over to 3fg, or I may not. I like that I can use 3fg in the pan and that simplifies my gear. I've tried 2fg in the pan but had some ignition issues.
 
What are you shooting from your 20 gauge Fusil? I know the rule is 3f up to 50 cal and 2f on up. I had one 20 but thought I shot 3f in it but my memory is not that great. So help me out anyone use 3f. Is one any better?

That powder rule has been around for quite some time. Perhaps it made some sense with original barrels with thin walls to have a bit lower pressure in the breech. Modern steel barrels are built with thicker wall and breeches. These can tolerate higher breech pressures. As long as we are not seeking to reach modern magnum loads, either grade of powder can be used.

Now then, as to which powder is best will have to be determined at the pattern board and by some tin can penetration tests. Recoil can be a bit sharper with 3Fg powder, so let that be part of what you determine to be the best grade of powder.
 
What are you shooting from your 20 gauge Fusil? I know the rule is 3f up to 50 cal and 2f on up. I had one 20 but thought I shot 3f in it but my memory is not that great. So help me out anyone use 3f. Is one any better?
I have used both in a 20. I don't have anything smaller than a .54 now, but I am 2f across the boards. One of my guns "likes" 3f for priming so it gets 2f down the pipe and 3f in the pan.
 
The only rule is, there are no rules 😀

I use 1F in revolvers and .58 rifles sometimes, and I've used 3f in .69 smoothbores

Every gun is an individual, I have in some cases 2 of the exact same gun, made within a few serial #'s of each other and one will like 3f over 2f, and vice versa for the other one.

I have two identical Parker-Hale Musketoons, one loved that Old Eynsford 1.5F and one didn't. go figure.

You won't know until you get behind the trigger and try some different stuff out.
 
As has been said, every firearm is different, but barrel length also needs to be considered.

3F burns faster, so I prefer it in shorter barrels. Even in large caliber.

Have fun experimenting and figure out your fusil likes best.
 
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