I got to try out the 1.5fg Swiss this afternoon. Used the 80 grn. setting on the measure, and loaded a bear oil patched, .527 r.b., rammed down on the charge snugly. I primed the rifle as I always do and squeezed off the shot. Ignition was every bit as good as with my old standard GOEX 2fg powder charge (90 grns.). My next shot, using the same charge of Swiss, and using a spit patch, loaded very easily (quite pleased about that) and ignition at the shot was as my first shot. I shot 3 more times with the same results. Easy loading with the spit patch, and no wiping between the 5 shots. I was very well pleased with this first time out using Swiss for the first time in any of my m.l.s. BTW, the weather at the range today was sunny, 35 degrees, with a bit of wind L to R.
I shot over my daypack at our local range sitting at the 50 yd. bench. My group measured just a tad over 2," and centered quite well (surprised me, actually). All good. I'll definitely use the Swiss again, maybe all the time if it always works like it did today. Can't imagine why not.
My riflegun:
.54 cal. Lancaster styled custom rifle.
Chambers deluxe Siler flintlock.
Single trigger (with a great hunting trigger pull as to my liking).
15/16ths, 36" Green Mountain barrel.
Traditional barrel front and rear sights (silver blade front).
13 7/8ths length of pull.
Load:
80 grn. by measure of 1.5fg Swiss black powder (actually weighed 90 grns. on my digital scale).
.527 r.b., Lee single cavity mould.
.026" tight weave pillow ticking patch material.
6/8ths knapped, Tom Fuller English flint.
Priming powder was ceramic mortar and pestle ground 1.5fg Swiss.
Patch lube on first shot was rendered black bear oil (not grease).
Shots 2-5 were spit patched. I found two spent patches at the range, and they looked like they might be used again.
The powder fouling was unbelievably clean compared to the old standard GOEX 2fg; no comparison. The first thing I noticed was how clean the pan was after a firing. I always run my thumb under the frizzen where it sits over the pan to clear the fouling there for the next shot, and there was near NONE with
this test, all shots. I also run my thumb over the striking face of the frizzen, and my index finger over the edge of the flint to clean it; near nothing there, a real good thing! I was really quite impressed.
Cleaning the rifle was a pleasing experience, too. I use a stainless steel bowl full of really hot water (no dish soap, just water) and I remove the barrel from the stock when I clean, submerged at the touch hole. With just a couple of patches on a jag pumping water throughout the barrel, I couldn't even hardly determine any "black water" in the bowl. The old GOEX was always muddy to the bottom. The Swiss more than most definitely is the cleaner burning powder, no question.
After reading some of the comments from the links mehavey sent on, I didn't quite know what to expect as to performance. But the whole experiment today took any doubt away that Swiss 1.5fg works very well, at least in my Ol' Lancaster.
I then lightly oiled the bore, cleaned up and reset the flint in the lock, and put the rifle back in the safe. A good day at the range! Hope this info might be helpful.
