OK Here's the skinny.
Regular Black Powder and 777 can/will seize the breach plug. 777 will also leave a "Crud Ring about an inch or two in front of the breech plug after a few shots, especially when using 80-120 grains.
Gorilla/Anti seize grease is great,I personally use CVA Breech plug grease and love it!, but if you use American Pioneer Powder (Same as the old CleanShot), your plug will almost NEVER seize!!
It's also TWICE as easy to clean, and you don't ever have to use hot water-or any water!
Although APP says that you can clean up with just water (No Hot Soapy Water Needed!!).
I use Rem Brite Bore/Rem Oil and some 3-in-1 oil if needed!
Like I've said on previous posts, no sulfur, no corrosion, No rotten egg smell and no fowling between shots. I've fired 30 plus shots at the range without any fowling or swabbing between shots. Try that with 777--Pryodex..... will be hard to do!. :shock:
Now, APP is not as Hot or explosive as 777 but it's close!
I don't recommend anyone use more than 100 grains of loose powder in any Muzzleloader.
I use the FFFg APP cause it's easier to pour and has faster ignition. The FFg seems to be too course--I don't recommend it at all.
Please don't waste your time on the FFg APP. :cry:
When ever you shift from FF to FFFg you should back off your charge by 10-15% to start with. This is cause FFFg is finer granules and will weigh a little more by volume. Then work your charge up carefully.
With 100 grains FFFg APP pushing a 295grain copper jacketed HP/power Belt and CCI 209 Primers, you'll be driving tacks at 50-100 yards. Kicks like a 30.06.
http://americanpioneerpowder.com/ Here is an old target I posted before--85
yards:
CVA Maghunter Bushnel 4-12x40 scope--old grandpa laying down on the dirt with gun rested on back pack:
About APP drawing moisture:
I've never experienced that "phenomenon". I've left a charge in my rifle for 11 days(Rifle was kept in cold garage and unprimed)--and shot a small buck with it at 60 yards on the 12th day(See Below).
Fired 12 speed loader charges that were kept for 10 months--all fired dead on! Just keep the lid on the powder when not in use!
Those Power Belts really flatten anything they hit!!!
I was at Cabels last week and was able to check out the only two 1x power(non-red dot)scopes they had. The Alaskan Guide--$189---1x20 had poor optics and way over priced. Then they brought the Simmons 0x32(1x32)(truplex)and op**** were much better and seemed it was gathering more light-even inside the store! The best part was the $64 price tag That one's going on my CVA this season.
Places to buy APP and scope:
http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jsp?_DARGS=/cabelas/en/common/catalog/pod-link.jsp_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712&rid=&indexId=cat200005&navAction=push&navCount=2&parentType=index&parentId=cat200005&id=0031501http://www.thespiritof76.com/cleanshot.htmlhttp://www.basspro.com/servlet/catalog.TextId?hvarTextId=64620&hvarDept=400&hvarEvent=&hvarClassCode=3&hvarSubCode=2&hvarTarget=browseSimmons ProHunter® Shotgun Scope 1x32http://www.moosegear.com/detail.asp?PID=18055 http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jhtml?id=0012798710099a&navAction=push&navCount=2&indexId=cat20760&podId=0012798&catalogCode=XE&parentId=cat20760&pare ntType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fitem-link.jhtml_A&_DAV=MainCatcat20712&hasJS=true
Finally, I bought 6 pounds of APP to makeup for the Hazmat fee-$20.
Already got three other guys that want some of MINE