Powder question

[DEACONLLB]

Picked up a new TC Gray hawk 50 cal. at the last gun show and as this is my first Traditional MZ I was thinking of using tripple 7 pellets in it but on doing some research on pellets I found that they are not for use in side lock only inline. I have 5 inlines but this is my first sidelock I have always user the pellets in them. so some info please. Looks like I will need a flask and measure and some loose powder.

Thanks for your input.
Deaconllb

[flintlock]

I prefer Goex FFF, but I'm a flintlock shooter...

If you can't find Goex locally, Pyrodex R-S will work...

Start with 75-80grs and work up to 100...

What is the twist on that barrel??? You need to know that to
decide what projectile to shoot...

[DEACONLLB]

Did some checking on the net and found that the twist is 1-48 for 50 and 54 but did not find when they were first made and year discontioned.I picked this up at the last gun show and was told it was new never shot and it shows to be new. I was wonting to use tripple 7 is that a no no? I dont care for the smell and smoke of Pyrodex.
I had planned on a lite load say 50 grns of tripple 7 and a 225 power belt or some tc cheap shots.
Deaconllb

[Semisane]

My brother-in-law's Gray Hawk shoots loose T7 just fine.  He uses 70 grains FFG under the 385 grain Hornady Great Plains and gets real good accuracy.

[flintlock]

Well...I don't care for the subs, if I'm going to muzzleload hunt then that's what I want to do...I don't mind the smoke and mess, it's goes with the territory...

[necchi]

 You go ahead and use that loose T-7 and you'll have no regret. I cain't answer on the use of the sabots, perhaps you'll find better answers on the modern BP forum bout' that, but I use t-7 almost exclusivley in my trad bp guns.
 Just remember T7 is a fast burning/sporting grade powder and  heavy charges do not = accuracy. I use between
 55-70grns for .50 and .54 prb.
 Keep the nipple an bore clean an dry and you'll have proper ignition. T7's works fine

[mechanic]

The powder will do fine, I'm not sure about saboted slugs.  I have a 50 cal with a 1 in 48 that will shoot a conical reasonably well, and a patched ball very well.  Try it and see.  I wouldn't buy up a large supply at first if I were you, but you never know, you might come up with a shooter....

[flintlock]

A 1-48 twist is optimum for conicals, round balls can have decent accuracy but the gun isn't usually as forgiving as a slower round ball twist, this is partially due to the shallow cut rifling as well...

Sabot guns usually have a 1-28 or a 1-32 twist...

[nw_hunter]

A 1-48 twist is optimum for conicals, round balls can have decent accuracy but the gun isn't usually as forgiving as a slower round ball twist, this is partially due to the shallow cut rifling as well...

Sabot guns usually have a 1-28 or a 1-32 twist...

Actually the 1/48 twist is a combo twist, and does a pretty good job on RB's.
I had a White Mountain carbine with a 1/32 twist, that grouped fair at 60 yds. It went crazy anything longer.I think the 1/48 is considered a minimal twist for conicals, and max for RB.

[deadrabbit]

I'd check the twist rate with a ramrod and patch (do a search for twist rate and one of the posts will tell you how).  I thought most of that style had a faster twist rate than 1/48 and you need to know for sure to pick your bullet. 

[DEACONLLB]

I was on thompsons web page and they had a twist listing for each of their guns and that is where I got the 1-48 twist rate from. The Gray Hawk in 50 and 54 had the same twist rate.
Deaconllb