Old Dog Needs New Tricks?

[benjhind]

So I looked in my treasure chest and found a couple tins of Goex "Clear Shot" FFG which I will likely try out this week - Any thoughts on this powder?

I also found some Jim Shokey's Gold FFFG. Does this have any place in a .50 cal or is this something you'd use in a flint lock pan?

[MikePal]

I like Goex, but it is dirty...requires a lot of cleaning after, but personally I don't mind spending the time working with the guns at the bench.

The Shocky Gold (American Pioneer) has the reputation of being one of the worst powders ever marketed...I've never used it myself, so will only go by what I have read:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/american_pioneer_powder.htm

[benjhind]

I have never had a problem with regular goex. I'm a hunter not much of a target shooter so if I'm ramming a 6th bullet down the bore that task will pale in comparison to the amount of skinning and butchering I have to do! I'll see what this 'clear shot' stuff is like.

When I see Jim Shockey on a product I normally head for the hills. Glad to see the rule still applies here. It was free so I'm not out anything.

Thanks again for the info.

[Bushbaby]

There used to be a fellow on the forum called Golden Lake Pete. He highly recommended clear shot so I think it will work well for you. You can use 3f in your rifles, just cut the volume back a bit. It will kick a bit harder but it will burn cleaner.

[standup]

Thanks for the replies folks,

I was actually looking for advice on what I can do to improve my gun setup rather than my hunting style. I've edited my original post accordingly.

I guess I'm one lucky enough to have more than $10 into a setup

(refer to your smart a55 post re; $10 in other thread for reference)

[benjhind]

I guess I'm one lucky enough to have more than $10 into a setup

(refer to your smart a55 post re; $10 in other thread for reference)

Not sure I quite get your reference standup, but it appears I've rubbed you the wrong way. I apologize. I'm just a guy who is passionate about bones, no offence intended.

[Marker]

My 50 cal TC New Englander does great with 80 grains FFg real Black Powder (ie two F Goex) pushing a .490 Round Ball and patch. Above 80 grains it will start to spray, below 80 grains and down to 60 grians the trajectory drops off but with a small increase in accuracy. I did not test below 60 grains as I want to keep my terminal ballistics up in the killing zone, two F tended to be better than three F at 80 grains with the transverse being true (ie 60 grains three F was better than 60 grains two F).

I also tried the maxi bullets, they improved accuracy over 80 grains FFg but at a huge increase in costs, the increase in terminal energy was not worth the extra cost IMO.

Result: .490 RB and patch using 80 grains FFg (two F) was was the cheapest most reliable setup that provided adequate accuracy for hunting.

In the 'Black Powder Manual' by Sam Fadala he discusses different weight bullets, loads, and related terminal ballistics/energy. A 50 cal bullet I believe (this is only my opinion) is the best trade off between the factors of cost, accuracy, and ballistics for hunting thin skinned game such as Deer. Using a 50 cal sabot reduces the terminal energy to that of a 45 (approx).

If you want to see the sections of his book let me know and I can scan the page(s) to you.

Edit: just realized your gun is an in-line so some of the above (ie round ball) will not apply.

[benjhind]

Great info Marker thanks. I do have a side lock too but have never shot ball and patch. Do you shoot it through a rifled barrel or smooth bore?

[Marker]

Great info Marker thanks. I do have a side lock too but have never shot ball and patch. Do you shoot it through a rifled barrel or smooth bore?

I have a 50 cal TC New Englander and a 58 cal PH Musketoon, both are rifled and shoot RB well but shoot maxis and minis (respectively) better. My previous BP was a 45 Hawken, also with a rifled barrel which would shoot RB and maxis well. The twist of the rifling will dictate what the rifle can shoot.

[MikePal]

Marker...nice to finally find someone with some experience shooting .58 PH Musketoon.

The manuals all say they are designed for conicals and from what I have seen they do shoot those well.

Have you tried a saboted .45 thru that barrel ? The literature with the bullet says they will have 'best' accuracy with a 1:48 twist, but since I rarely shoot past 50 yds I don't think that will have much affect. I picked up a couple dozen at PR's last sale but haven't tried them yet.