Shiloh Rifle Forums

I have been using some 1 1/2 Swiss in several cartridges, but see references to Swiss #1, 2, 3, and 4. How do these numbers compare to the "normal" Fg. FFg, FFFg, FFFFg? Case in point are some loads for the percussion Sharps carbine I have seen using Swiss #4 powder.

George

Same.

What's that mean MSalyards? That Swiss #4 is the same as FFFFg? or are you wondering the same yjing I am?

George

I m pretty sure 4f and Swiss #4 are the same. Mike.

Well, you're wrong. Swiss no.4 is 1 1/2 fg, 5 is fg. And even then, the granulation distribution is different.

Swiss powder that is sold in the U.S. is labeled the same as GOEX and others that are sold here which is the reverse of European labeling.
F to FFFF is largest to smallest in the U.S.

HG

That is what I wanted to know. I assumed that the Swiss Fg, FFg, FFFg etc was more or less the same as the US granulation sizes, but having seen several references to Swiss #4 I wanted to know how that numbering scheme worked. From the referrence I had seen to #4 being appropriate for a percussion Sharps, I thought it must be one of the coarser granulations.
Thank you Martinibelgiun.

George

Thanks for clarifying Martin. "Pretty sure" isn't good enough for powder.

Well there you have it. So my Swiss #1 and my OE #1f are different? Thanks!

Well there you have it. So my Swiss #1 and my OE #1f are different? Thanks!

That's how I understand it. OE 1F is the same, more or less, as Swiss 1F, as is GOEX 1F. In the European scheme of things (metric system I guess) 1F is Swiss #5, and Swiss #1 is more or less our FFFFg. The book where I saw the reference to Swiss #4 was printed in England.

George

#4 swiss sold in the US is FINE PISTOL POWDER!!
Not meant for large bore rifles!! Dump some out and compare before you possibly wreck your rifle.
The newest lots of 4F swiss actually show pistols on the label and the larger granulations (1 1/2, 2 and 3) show rifles.
It's a reverse system in Europe. It is relabeled for U.S. sales to match our system.
Are ya'll in the U.S?

HG

HG - - - I think you are mixing apples and oranges here. Swiss #4 is NOT 4F from everything that has been said here.
Swiss #1 is what is called 4F in the US. Confusing to say the least. They have to do everything differently there; or is it really here. One has to wonder which grading system came first. There ought to be some sort of comparison chart somewhere. Suffice it to say the European granulation system is the reverse of the US system. At lease I think that was clearly stated earlier.

George

Swiss No. 5 is Swiss 1Fg
Swiss No. 4 is Swiss 1.5Fg
Swiss No. 3 is Swiss 2Fg
Swiss No. 2 is Swiss 3Fg
Swiss No 1 is Swiss 4Fg