Author Topic: Minimum Powder Charge (Read 615 times)

squirrel_hunter6 · « **on:** June 17, 2004, 09:08:59 AM »

What would be considered the minimum Triple Seven powder charge that can be used for hunting out to 100 yards? I like shooting guns for fun and I'm not a fan of recoil.

By the way, I went back out to the range today. I had the gun sighted at 50 yards with 70 grains of T7 and it was shooting 245 gr Powerbelt HPs six inches low at 100 yards. I was able to get two inches groups with the gun and I am happy with it. I was also getting three inch groups with 240 grain T/C sabots.

AndyHass · « **Reply #1 on:** June 17, 2004, 09:58:51 AM »

It really depends upon the bullet you are shooting...you want an absolute minimum of 800 ft-lbs of energy remaining at 100 yards. I like to increase that to 1000 just to be sure.
As a rough guess with 777 and a 240 grain bullet, I'd guess around 55-60 grains as a minimum on deer. I used to use 85 grains of pyrodex (so about 73 grains equivalent of 777) and ALWAYS got pass-thrus with 240 grain Hornaday HTPs.

big6x6 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 17, 2004, 02:44:15 PM »

I've done a good bit of shooting with 50 to 80gr of Triple Seven in my 22" barreled Wolverine 209. I've been looking for light recoiling loads for my girlfriend with that rifle. I've been using bullets weights of 200gr to 240gr. My goal for her gun was to have a muzzle velocity of at least 1500fps with a 240gr bullet, 1600fps for a 220gr bullet, and 1650fps for a 200gr bullet. These velocities will give you the energy necessary to take a whitetail at 100yds.

While working up loads I noted what a pleasure it was to shoot these loads! Low recoil and generally VERY accurate! Here are the loads I used"

40gr 777 ffg T/C 240gr Cheapshot -1321fps
50gr 777 ffg Harvester 240gr -1426fps
55gr 777 ffg Harvester 240gr -1466fps
55gr 777 ffg 240gr .452 XTP -1439fps
60gr 777 ffg 240gr Swift "A-Frame" -1589fps
**The above load was the load I settled on for Kristel to use for a hog hunt. The bullet completely penetrated the shoulders on a really nice hog! Should do fine for a 100yd whitetail load and the accuracy using a Harvester sabot was excellent. That Wolverine 209 will shoot a 3/4 inch group at 100yds with this load!
70gr 777 ffg D/C 200gr -1553fps
70gr 777 ffg .40 XTP 200gr -1617fps..GREAT groups
80gr 777 ffg D/C 200gr -1640fps
80gr 777 ffg .40 XTP 200gr -1718fps
80gr 777 ffg 240gr Harvester 1630fps..GREAT groups
70gr 777 fffg .40 XTP 200gr -1702fps..GREAT groups..May use this one!
70gr 777 fffg D/C 200gr -1668fps...good groups
70gr 777 fffg 240gr .429 XTP -1635fps...very good groups
70gr 777 fffg Harvester 240gr -1650fps..very good groups
80gr 777 fffg 215gr QT -1697fps
80gr 777 fffg 200gr Shockwave -1857fps

I'm thinking 70gr of fffg 777 is a great charge to try. 70gr of fffg 777 gives practically the same velocity as 80gr of ffg 777. Less propellant means less recoil, all things being equal.

BTW, What gun are you using?

squirrel_hunter6 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 21, 2004, 05:36:31 AM »

:shock: WOW! :shock:

You really did your homework Chuck. Thanks for all the info.

I am shooting a Winchester X-150 Mag with a 3x9x40 Bushnell Sportsman scope. I only deer hunt a few times each season; I squirrel hunt all season long though. I enjoy shooting the gun and I like going out to the range and shooting it. So, I figured that I might as well work up an easy kicking load that would do a fine job on a deer, that way I don't go home from the range with a sore shoulder.

simonkenton · « **Reply #4 on:** June 21, 2004, 08:41:19 AM »

I hear you, squirrel hunter!
I have been shooting a moose load in my Savage. It is accurate, too.
But, I am not hunting moose, I am hunting deer. I am working up a lower recoil load.
Hell, I have killed lots of deer and hogs with patched round ball at 700 foot pounds or less, and always got a pass through shot on the double lunger.