I've heard from various forums about certain brands of BP being smaller grain size than others and was always curious about it. I recently restocked my supply and was shocked at the difference! I thought some of you guys might be interested to know.

The rumor has typically been that Olde Eynsford (made by Goex), Swiss and some others were a finer grain than a comparable Goex powder and I can finally confirm that for OE and Schuetzen powder






Olde Eynsford FFg
Goex FFFg
Schuetzen FFFg
Swiss FFFFg, (just for comparison)

The OE 2F and Goex 3F are nearly identical and the 3F Schuetzen is definitely a much finer grain than the Goex 3F. Swiss 4F is obviously even smaller, but just though I'd throw it in for comparison too.

I had been using Goex FFFg in both my flintlock guns (50 and 54) with good results, but based on the rumor of other brands being finer I ordered some FFg also and I'm glad I did. I'm going to verify POI and accuracy with the OE FFg and will plan to switch over to it and sue the FFFg for my 45 cal percission stuff.

I hope this can help someone else who might be agonizing over what size to buy

I mostly shoot Swiss. Never tried the OE but am told it mimics Swiss, just made by Goex. Now that Hodgdon has decided to stop Goex production, that takes OE off the market too. I really like Swiss. Its a little hotter and a lot cleaner. I get about 10% more velocity out of Swiss compared to the same granulation and charge of Goex. In some of my rifles, Swiss 2F shoots like Goex 3F.