The original post was a question by Fairchase, asking if loose powder and pellets could be combined. Thinking I might save him some time, I replied, since I had already asked the same question of Hodgdon. That seems to have been a mistake on my part, I should have told him to ask the question of Hodgdon, or not replied at all.
As to the question of economics or practicality of doing so, I agree, it is not economical or practical, but it can be done. Which was the original question.
As to the recommended loads, we were discusing the recommendations of Hodgdon, not a specific make/model of gun.I could be mistaken on this, but I haven't read where any company recommends the use of more then 100 gr. of loose powder, magnum loads are for pellets only.
As to the different MV's, I know of only two ways that an increase of 200fps. can be achieved, that's by a very good, intensive lap job or increasing the powder charge, and that's on a centerfire rifle not on a muzzle loadering rifle.
While measuring, by volume, BP or a substitute, a varience of 10-20 granuals of powder (not grains)may give a slight varience in MV but it is not enough to vary by 200 fps. out of the identical bullet/gun combo.
RW stated that he achieved a MV of 2100 fps with a specific bullet/gun combination, but that the individual could not achieve this with a 100 gr. load of loose powder or pellets. That statment would lead me to believe one of two things, either he had the one in a million gun or that he increased his powder charge above that recommended by Hodgdon. When questioned on how he achieved this MV, he chose not to respond, or at least I didn't see/read any response.
The only place on-line I have seen those MV's with that weight bullet (other then the propaganda put out by gun companies) is on the PR web site ballistic tables. Again, I may be wrong, but I believe that all those ballistics were shot using LOOSE powder, and most were above the recommended levels published by Hodgdon.
http://www.prbullet.com/bal.htmThere is one school of thought that states that since 777 is 15% hotter/more powerful then Pydrodex you should reduce your maximum charge by 15%. Since most of the recommended load levels by the gun companies were published before the advent of 777, and if you concure with the 15% theory, and if you have shot 100gr. of 777 loose , you have exceeded the max load level recommended/published by your gun company. You can bet your bottom dollar that if something bad happens to your gun while shooting this load, the gun companies will fall back on this if a lawsuit incurs.
As to the inference that WE all have exceeded the maximum load levels I appoligize for the wording, I should have said Most, not all.
Whenever I have a question about load/safty issues, I contact the Mfgr. usually not by phone, but by e-mail so that I have a record of what I have been told. On these forums, I don't respond to questions unless I'm pretty darn sure of the answer but if I'm wrong, I can stand to be corrected but I will defend myself when attacked for a posting that I know to be true.
