BP, Pyrodex, or 777

[hunman55]

Has anyone tried these in the .500 S&W in the Handi-rifle? Hunman55

[halfslow]

I bought a .500 S&W barrel for my Encore specifically for shooting BP and Pyrodex.
I wanted a 50/70 for a long time, but just never found one at a reasonable price.
Figured the .500 S&W was plenty strong enough so I could experiment with smokeless if I wanted to.

Only thing you have to be aware of with using BP and such is to be sure and clean the action after shooting.  For example, the Encore has a small recoil plate in the face of the receiver.  Fouling can migrate behind it amd cause corrosion.  Not a big problem, but something to be aware of.
Not familiar with the Handi's, but the same care should be exercised.

Quite frankly, I have fired the Encore with factory loads.  It was not fun.
The BP loads were.

[hunman55]

I, too, have always wanted a 50-70. This is about as close as I'll get. Thanks for your reply. Hunman55

[RMulhern]

Pyrodex??

I'd just as soon pour a handful of sand down the bore of my rifle....than to shoot Pyro!!

[hunman55]

Explain?  Hunman55

[Nobade]

It's corrosive as all get out, most all guns I have looked at with the borescope that have fired with pyrodex show fine pitting throughout the bore. Rifles fired with real black powder, if properly cared for, look like new for a long time, and never show that pitting. Not to mention it really stinks and I hear the smoke isn't too healthy to breathe.

Now, what's RMulhern think?

[RMulhern]

Explain?  Hunman55

I've already spoke my piece!

[John Boy]

The 500 S&W Magnum are similar in performance to the black powder .50-70 Government.  Saying this, skip the Pyrodex and load 70gr of black powder and for Triple 7 you must decrease the powder charge by 15% from the 70gr BP charge.

hunman, I don't know what your expectations or intent are but Triple 7 is a better substitute sodium benzoate powder than Pyrodex and of course, black powder is the real deal! 

[Dances with Geoducks]

Holy Black all the way

777 sucked, Pyro-GS even more suckage

[hunman55]

Thanks, guys, for replying. I've never used pyro. in a muzzleloader-always the real stuff. In 45 Colt and 45-70, pyro. always did ok for me. I have  BP, pyro, and 777 and my Handi has an SB-1 receiver, so, no smokeless. Hunman55