Powder Selection - Pyrodex or Triple 7 ?

[David L]

I've been reading this board a lot lately and I "think" this question has already been answered but here goes.

I found a local gun shop and he carries Pyrodex and Triple 7. From what I read so far is this:
I can stuff triple Fg BP into my gun cylinder without worring about overloading it. On the other-hand I CAN overload it with triple 7 and pyrodex and will need to measure it carefully. Can I overload the gun cylinder with these 2 powders?

Ok, now I have a powder flask that will throw charges from 5 to 30grs. IS there a max charge for these powders. ANY information I can get on these 2 powders will be mucho appreicated.

David L

The winter-time is looking cold for shooting!!

[MOGorilla]

I have never shot 777, but have shot pyrodex.  I shot the pyrodex 1:1 with my normal blackpowder load.  I shoot 25 grains in my .44 and 20 in my .36, both colt.   I understand the Remmingtons and Ruger Old armys can go to 35 grains.  Bigger guns like the dragoons and walker can go~40 but I like lighter loads for plinking.  I read your other post about the troubles of finding a place to shoot.  I sympathize.   Here in Missouri, we have several outdoor ranges ran by the conservation dept., but they are mainly set for long range guns.  The minimum distance is 25 yards.  I am not a great pistol shot by any means so that is a ways for me to shoot.  Luckily, I have family that live in the country, visits to family always results in making smoke.  I recommend searching the web for black powder clubs in your area.  We have a group of free trappers whose shooting range is no more than 7 miles from my place and I knew nothing about them for 4 years.   Those guys will know out of the way stores to get supplies too.  Good luck.

[Flint]

I don't think you can overload a cap & ball revolver with either Pyrodex or 777, with a roundball and a standard, by volume, charge.  If you overcompress it, you may have a problem, but you would with BP as well.  Not to say that 777 is mild, and I found it equivalent by reducing the charge 10 to 15%.  It hits and feels like a 44Special in a Ruger Old Army or a Remington, and the conversion in 45Colt is a stiff load, but not unsafe.

[David L]

OK, thanks fer the powder info. I would kinda like to know what the accuracy is for Pyrodex Vs. 777. Is one powder better for working-up loads that group tighter OR are they the same in that respect. The (friendly) gun shop I found on the phone stocks both types and he said he would make me up a list of all the gun freaks so I can just call them at home….*L*….Yeah, that’s right, ya hafta ambush ‘em via twisted pair (phone).

My first day at trying to find a place to shoot just didn’t go well at all and I composed that “rant” when I was still a bit Um……..Po’ed. I was ready to turn that revolver into an ash tray…*L* Like you said I just might be surprised at what I find, in the meantime I’ll just hit the river and play out there. My wife has folks in the country but they are in DeKalb Texas, about 500 miles from my door step.

If I buy the pyrodex I’ll start with 20 gr, and if I get the 777 I’ll start with the same 20 grs. This should allow me to get the feel of loading and should allow me to tweak the load from there for accuracy. I suspect accuracy will depend on the load used for a given distance, we’ll soon find-out…*L*

Thanks for the info, Slim, I know you already told me or either I read it on here somewhere but I’ll be danged if I can find it where you said to reduce the charge by 10 to 15%. I WROTE that down this time so I won’t be asking that question again, not this week anyways…*L*

Thanks MoGorilla, I’ll start with 20 grs and work up until I get the tightest group, I might hafta work down the load, either way accuracy is my goal here.

The fog has lifted……I have a starting point now…

David L

[Flint]

I never was satisfied (others are) with the way Pyrodex burns in a muzzle loader.  It's fine in a cartridge, where there is more pressure. Pyrodex is my preferred over black powder in a cartridge. (777 costs more)  It seems like there's more burning flares and junk spouting forward out of the barrel than real black powder does, giving the impression that it isn't burning right.  777 burns more efficiently, I think.  777 does not stink like bp or Pyrodex, and it is SIGNIFICANTLY cleaner burning, and much less corrosive, and easier to clean up.  There is no mad panic to get the gun cleaned after shooting.  I felt that Pyrodex is more corrosive than black powder, but maybe they are about the same.  777 is a bit less smokey, at least not as smokey as Cleanshot.