Triple Seven and 150 grains?

[TKO]

I know that my TC Firestorm is rated to 150 grains for either BP or Pyrodex, but what about Triple Seven?

Hodgdons says to MATCH BP velocities to reduce the charge by 15%, but that still doesn't tell me if I can use up to 150 grains if I am not interested in MATCHING velocities.

[RandyWakeman]

I know that my TC Firestorm is rated to 150 grains for either BP or Pyrodex, but what about Triple Seven?

Hodgdon does not allow anything more than 100 grains of Triple Seven in any .50 caliber muzzleloaders-- nor does Thompson.

[TKO]

Randy,

     Thanks for the information.

[RandyWakeman]

Actually,

I owe you a better answer. After Triple 7 came out, and then Triple 7 pellets about a year ago-- I asked Thompson repeatedly what their position was appertaining to Encores and Omegas, as "other manufacturers" had already allowed 150 grain loads of Triple 7 pellets, before they were on the market. Thompson's answer was "100 grains max., just like Hodgdon says."

They have stuck to that so far, and the reason is simply they have not personally tested Triple 7 with all of their recommended loads-- which is quite an undertaking. Rather than just allow heavier loads with one or two projectiles, they stated that they have to do it all, and "when they done, they are done."

Certainly, their Encore is one of the strongest muzzleloaders on the market, that much is clear. Rather then just make a casual statement that XXX grains of Triple 7 is allowed, they have elected to shoot them all, and test them all first. I applaud them for their restraint. It is not plausible that "other" muzzleloading companies could have actually tested Triple 7 pellets before its release with all possible projectile combinations. So-- they were guessing. Thompson does not care to just guess.

[RandyWakeman]

I know that my TC Firestorm is rated to 150 grains for either BP or Pyrodex, but what about Triple Seven?

I did speak with Thompson today-- and their stance (as of today) is that 150 grains of T7 pellets is okay to sub in their guns that are rated for 150 grains of Pyrodex. Loose powder and Triple 7, it is still "follow the manufacturer's recommendations."

[TKO]

Randy,

     Thanks for your diligent pursuit of this matter.

     What would be the difference between a 150 grain pellet load and a 150 grain (by volume, of course) loose powder load in either Triple Seven or Pyrodex?  This is confusing at best. :roll:

[RandyWakeman]

     Thanks for your diligent pursuit of this matter.

     What would be the difference between a 150 grain pellet load and a 150 grain (by volume, of course) loose powder load in either Triple Seven or Pyrodex?  This is confusing at best. :roll:

There's no really good answer I can give you, as the different forms of propellants burn in different ways. Loose powder tends to go "all at once," where triple pellet charges burn as they go down the bore-- somewhat progressively. As they burn from the back in, the outside in, and from the inside out -- they are not really comparable.

100 grains T7 pellets / Pyrodex pellets / loose Pyrodex all give very roughly the same muzzle velocities. Triple 7 loose powder is far hotter, and a 100 grain charge will give you higher velocities (how much higher has a lot to do with specific projectile and projectile weight).

120 grains of Triple 7 loose powder is a stout load, so my shoulder tells me.