777 Pellet Problem

[mardrobe]

My son and I have been having problems this year using Triple seven pellets.  After firing one shot the barrels are fouled to the point a second shot can not be seated.  In the past we could fire several times between cleaning.  I purchased new pellets this season, but this did not help problem.

[nrb]

Need more information, type rifle, type ignition, outside temperature, etc
nrb

[toytruck]

Did you change 209 primers? The new triple 7 primer is good, but I still have some fouling in the Encore breech area. I can still load a second shot though.  Another alternative is a small rifle primer, but I frankly don't see the need.

[sabotloader]

mardrobe

You have encountered the famous T7 "crud ring."  The crud ring is formed in the breech area after the powder has been ignited.  There are a hundred different theories why this might happen, it seems the most widely accepted one is the temperature of the ignition source may have the most to do with the ring.  I am not sure of that....  Some guns seem to get the ring worse than others - some guns do not get it all.  I believe it might have more to do with a chemical reaction with what might be in your bore.  Usually the ring can be swabbed out with a damp prior to loading your next round.  Some have suggested that the ring is so caked and hard they have been unable to swab it out.

I shoot T7 exclusively - I do experience a very small "crud ring" in some of my inlines - but a damp patch of regular windex passes right through and I am ready to load another round.  Most times I really could load 3/4 rounds if I needed to before I would absolutely need to swab.

Because of this "crud ring" a lot of people have switched to other powders... BM3, is/was one of the more popular.  Jim Shockey's Gold seems to be another one that people are using.  I continue to stay with T7, one because of price and availability + most importantly for me it works very well and is consistent.

[Varmint Hunter]

I'm not to sure that any rifle could develop a 777 "crud ring" with a single shot. As stated, some rifles don't seem to develop a crud ring at all. IMO what you are experiencing is just a tight fitting sabot/bullet in a barrel that has normal fouling with  777 use. If you used a looser sabot or something like a Powerbelt, which loads easier, you would be able to shoot a few shots before cleaning.

Either way, it is a good idea to run a damp patch, followed by a dry patch, down the bore between shots. When afield you shouldn't need to do this for a follow-up shot. Typically, looser fitting projectiles are faster and easier to load but are not quite as accurate as the tight fitting sabots.

Reportedly the new Buckhorn powder by Winchester will allow 40+ shots without any cleaning at all. Let's hope the reports are true.

Just my 2 cents

[30-06man]

Try a 44cal bullet your sabots. Sabots are hard to load anyways and just put a little more pressure into it and it should go. Make sure you haven't went all the way down though. I have heard many story's of people saying its hard to load and they have already made contact with the breach plug. Don't put too much pressure on the T7 pellets because it will cause them to crack. The crud ring if it is tough use a brush and just scrub it out and then run over it with hot soapy water. It should come out.

[Biff Mayhem]

My son and I have been having problems this year using Triple seven pellets.  After firing one shot the barrels are fouled to the point a second shot can not be seated.  In the past we could fire several times between cleaning.  I purchased new pellets this season, but this did not help problem.

Whenever possible....
Use a cooler 209 primer
switch to loose powder
Swab after every shot using alcohol-windex blend
purchase 3" patches
make sure all traces of gun oil is removed

[Smokepole cowboy]

I'm not to sure that any rifle could develop a 777 "crud ring" with a single shot. As stated, some rifles don't seem to develop a crud ring at all. IMO what you are experiencing is just a tight fitting sabot/bullet in a barrel that has normal fouling with  777 use. If you used a looser sabot or something like a Powerbelt, which loads easier, you would be able to shoot a few shots before cleaning.

Either way, it is a good idea to run a damp patch, followed by a dry patch, down the bore between shots. When afield you shouldn't need to do this for a follow-up shot. Typically, looser fitting projectiles are faster and easier to load but are not quite as accurate as the tight fitting sabots.

Reportedly the new Buckhorn powder by Winchester will allow 40+ shots without any cleaning at all. Let's hope the reports are true.

Just my 2 cents

My Encore will develop a crud ring with one shot.
I can load the first shot with a clean barrel with no problem.  After I fire that first shot I cannot reload without either cleaning first or using a range rod and a mallet.  Anyone that does not believe me, drop me a note and you can come and see for yourself.  Bring the triple 7, I got rid of all of that crap.  I use Goex Pinnacle or Goex black powder and can now shoot 3 to 5 shots before cleaning.