Question

[Dean schwarzenbach]

So I’ve a question, I own a 54 caliber Thomson center arms flintlock,I’ve a shoot on Sunday, paper targets (50 yards or less) so I purchased some Hornady ,535 balls an some ox yoke .50-.59 (15) thk patches, I’m going to use 3-f pyrodex, as I don’t wanna use what goex I’ve left, so my question is how many grains would you recommend? Thanks fer any advice

 

[smokepolehall]

What load of black powder did you use before in it ? I would use the same of the Pyrodex. You could start with 55 gr n work up as the groups hold tight

 

[Dean schwarzenbach]

Thanx for the comeback, i was using 100 grains of 3f goex,with a 535 grain ( no excuass conical, with a 58 caliber wool ( wonder wads) Lyman’s peep sight ( bench) out to 100 yards , making 3” groups,

 

[Dean schwarzenbach]

I don’t do a lot of shooting with it, basically, use fer our PA hunting seasons, I do go to range before seasons start

 

[Dean schwarzenbach]

I think my biggest issue is the , flintch lock thing, seems I drop my barrel,always shoot low!

 

[Dean schwarzenbach]

Gotta say, with the 535 an 100 grains, ya know ur shooting something! I like the kick! Becomes addicting!!

 

[smokepolehall]

Thanx for the comeback, i was using 100 grains of 3f goex,with a 535 grain ( no excuass conical, with a 58 caliber wool ( wonder wads) Lyman’s peep sight ( bench) out to 100 yards , making 3” groups,

3" groups with a peep at 100 yards is very good.

 

[smokepolehall]

I think my biggest issue is the , flintch lock thing, seems I drop my barrel,always shoot low!

Flintching, drop down in load gr make yourself follow through on shots

 

[smokepolehall]

Gotta say, with the 535 an 100 grains, ya know ur shooting something! I like the kick! Becomes addicting!!

At my age i really dislike dad recoil n it will cause you to flitch

 

[deermanok]

My 54 is most accurate with the .530 ball. The cotton patches I use are about .012-.014 or so thick.
Last time out, I used a 10 grain charge of 3f black under 60 grains of Triple 7 2f.
It's hard to say what you should use but I would suggest starting with about 60 to 70 grains volume of your Pyrodex P. I'd definitely recommend using real black powder for the prime.

 

[longcruise]

Some chronographing i did in the past showed pyrodex P (3f ?) Was very comparable to goex 3f as was Pyrodex RS comparable to goex 2f. Measured in volume.

 

[No Second Place]

For targets as little as 40grs may be enough for target to 50yds...

 

[bronko220002]

Pyrodex has a higher flash point than black powder so you may not get reliable ignition. Like deermanok stated you may want to put a little BP under your charge and use BP in the pan.
Personally I'd use BP period but I have easy access to it and have a few pounds in stock.