TC Encore & Triple 7 Question

[broker]

Hi guys, several questions for you as am relatively new to muzzleloading. Just purchased an Encore 209x50 magnum and was planning to use Triple 7 pellets and Knight Red Hot Sabots (either 250 or 300grns)..  Have been told about half the time you can load 3 pellets of triple 7 (150 grns), while others have told me not to do same as Triple 7 burns hotter with increased pressures over pyrodex, so not to use over 2 pellets (100grns). Any advice to clarify this would be appreciated along with loads/bullets you have had good accuracy with (i use mine extensively for whitetail hunting in midwest where long shots can present themselves).  Additionally, how do most of you unload at the end of the day from a deer stand if weren't fortunate enough to shoot. I was thinking about purchasing one of those CO2 dischargers for clearing barrel and seeking advice on same. Even if bought the ez tip extractor, doesn't seem real practical to remove breach plug in tree and push load out of breach..  Also is it safe to remove extractor retaining screw in lieu of purchasing ez tip extractor, to eliminate problems i have heard about ez tip extractor and eliminate the stock removal necessary with factory extractor (in essence allowing you to remove extractor without removing stock so cleaning can be done with stock attached). thanks for your help guys. miles

[str8shooter48]

Broker, It's not neccesary to remove or discharge the powder and bullet when getting down from your treestand. Just remove the primer and let the hammer fall to its safe position. As far as the Easytip extractor don't waste your money they break relatively quickly. To eliminate the extractor issue the next time you have the gun apart remove the extractor and and leave it out, its not neccesary. Think about it the Encore and the Omega use the same breechplug. The Omega has no extractor. Mines in a ziplock bag put away with other gun parts.

[Bullseye]

777 is 15% more powerful than black powder or pyrodex, 100 gr 777 equals 115 gr pyrodex or black.  Can you use 150 gr. of 777?  I do not know.  Most test show that over 100-120 gr. of any powder increases velocity very little, you are buring the powder outside the barrel.  Hodgen says not to use over 100 gr of any of their products even if some gun manufacturers say it is okay.  Those are the facts as I know them, take this info and what others posts and decide for yourself what you feel safe with.

[agdexter]

I just came back from the range. Shot my Encore .50 with 245 grain power belts. I used Pyrodex pellets and 777 pellets. Two pellets each, don't believe three will all be burned up or make much difference. Either way, I had almost the same point of impact with the 777 as the Pyrodex. The difference was negligible, maybe an inch at 100 yards. The 777 pellets looked a little smaller than the Pyrodex and they didn't have that heavy sulfer smell in the smoke. I am sure the 777 is less corrosive on the barrel. Some say the 777 is much cleaner in the barrel, however, based on my between shot patches, I would say 777 is only about 25% cleaner than the Pyrodex. I am going to give the 777 a whirl this season, after four years of Pyrodex.

[Underclocked]

agdexter, Hodgdon tried to match the power generated by the T7 pellets to the Pyrodex pellets.  Probably a good move for safety's sake and certainly a good move for Hodgdon's pocketbook.  

Loose powder will show you the real difference in the potency of the two powder types.

[Ranger413]

Remove the extractor and retaining screw first thing.  Keep it in a safe place, but you'll probably never need it again.  Just as easy to flick it loose with a fingernail.

I shoot 100gr Triple 7 loose powder and a 300gr Hornady XTP in a sabot.  Complete pass-through on a 120lb. whitetail buck a week ago.  Shot was quartering toward - in throught front of right shoulder and out through left ribcage.  I don't think that 150gr loads are needed except for larger or dangerous game.

Ranger413

[The Encore Kid]

I have seen much discussion about triple seven.  What I haven't seen is any distinction between fff and ff.  I have only seen the fff in my area.  I know they are different, but they both show loads for the 50 cal..  Has anyone had better luck with either one in the encore rifle?

[Bullseye]

I assume the difference between the FF & FFF is the same as with other powders, the FFF will ignite easier and burn cleaner.  I could not make up my mind and bought 777 in FF even though I always shoot FFF.  I had the terrible crud ring.  Patches sticking in the barrel and all that stuff after one shot.  I want to try the FFF to see if it burns cleaner but hate to spend another $20.  I switched back to Pyrodex P (FFF) for the time being, might not ever try the 777 again.  Loved everthing but that crud ring, it made my gun unusable.

[CROWKILLER]

Well mabe it's just my encore that don't like 777 but I ran out of pyrodex and all that I could find is 777. I didnt get a chance to shoot the the new stuff before I went to the woods. Long story short I missed a nice buck at about 50 yards so when I made it back to camp I shot a plate and they strung everywere some were even hitting the plate sideways :eek:  I then cleaned the barrel and borrowed some pyro. and it shot just like it always did grouped well right in the center. It is cleaner doesent really sound like a black powder rifle when using them mabee I just got a bad lot but I think I will stick with pyrodex pellets from now on {throws .02 on the table and walks away}

[Bullseye]

I got rid of my crud ring last week with the Pyrodex P and 777 FF.  The secret for me was going back to bore butter.  I switched to using oil after switching to 777.  Did not realize the problem until going back to Pyrodex and still having a small crud ring.  Shot 5 shots with 777 without cleaning Sunday and never got a crud ring.  Using the oil the crud ring was terrible after one shot.

Crowkiller,
That is interesting.  The Pyrodex P and 777 FF have the same point of impact with my Encore, but I am only using 80 gr.  If the bullets were keyholing it sounds like the sabot was failing.  I am guessing that maybe you are up around 100 gr. + of 777 and maybe not using the high velocity sabot?  I have seen that happen before since the 777 is a little more powerful.  Just guessing here and trying to help.

[CROWKILLER]

Bullseye, That may be the case I was using 2 50 gr 777 pellets with t/c breakaway sabots 240gr bullets I don't know if they are a high velocity sabot or not I really didnt know there was a difference. I still have some left I may play with it after hunting season. Thanx for the info.

[SingleShotShorty]

I really don't no much about 777 loose or pellets but most of the grouping problems I have heard about from guy's I know were shooting 777. Myself I shoot Pyrodex Pellets in my 209X50 Encore with great results. In fact last weekend I shot a 154# 10 pointer at just over 200 yards and dropped him within 15 yards of where he stood when I shot him. My load was 3 Pyrodex pellets, 240 grain Hornady XTP in a Mag Express sabot. I have not shot 777 and most likely won't as I kinda figure if it ain't broke don't try to fix it. Just one hunters opinion