Grain | Grain |
|---|---|
Description | Description |
Use | Use |
Grain | Cannon |
Description | Coarse grain powder |
Use | Cannons |
Grain | F |
Description | Called single-F, coarse grain |
Use | Shotguns 10-gauge and higher |
Grain | FF |
Description | Called double-F, medium grain |
Use | Rifles, single shot pistols (.45 caliber and larger)and shotguns (12-20 gauge) |
Grain | Cartridge |
Description | Medium-fine grain |
Use | Substitute for double-F powder |
Grain | FFF |
Description | Called triple-F, fine grain |
Use | Rifles and handguns that are under .45 caliber,as well as shotguns smaller than 20-gauge |
Grain | FFFF |
Description | Called four-F, extra-fine grain |
Use | Used only to prime flintlock muzzleloaders |
Grain | Description | Use |
|---|---|---|
Grain | Description | Use |
Cannon | Coarse grain powder | Cannons |
F | Called single-F, coarse grain | Shotguns 10-gauge and higher |
FF | Called double-F, medium grain | Rifles, single shot pistols (.45 caliber and larger)and shotguns (12-20 gauge) |
Cartridge | Medium-fine grain | Substitute for double-F powder |
FFF | Called triple-F, fine grain | Rifles and handguns that are under .45 caliber,as well as shotguns smaller than 20-gauge |
FFFF | Called four-F, extra-fine grain | Used only to prime flintlock muzzleloaders |
Propellant
Muzzleloading firearms use a special type of propellant, often referred to as black powder. But be warned: traditional black powder is a corrosive material that can cause the barrel of your firearm to rust quickly. There are brand-name substitute powders such as Pyrodex®, Clean Shot® and Hodgdon's Triple Seven®, which are all safe to use when handled properly. These are sold either in granulated or compressed pre-measured form.
Modern muzzleloading firearms now can fire both smokeless powder and black powder. However, using modern smokeless powder in a firearm that is not designed to handle it can result in serious injury to the shooter and damage to the firearm. Remember: always follow the manufacturer's instructions for propellants to use in muzzleloader firearms.
Black powder comes in six granulation sizes:
