another powder question

[1marty]

Just bought a Traditions Hawken 50 caliber. The manufacturer as usual states only use black powder. I use loose 3f 777 in my omega and the ease of cleanup is the reason I go with it. My friends tell me 3f 777 is fine in the hawken as long as you "step it down". Some say 15%, some say as much as 30% from the BB equivilant. Has anyone had any experience. I want to try maxi balls around 350 grains..

[bubba.50]

i think what people are tryin' to get across is that 777 and other subs don't weigh as much as black. if for example you want to shoot a 70gr load just set your measure on 70 and go for it. it won't weigh 70gr when you use 777 but it will be the right load as it will be the "equivalent" of a 70gr load. it's not as complicated as it sounds once you get the hang of it and just forget about weighing charges.

[Hopalong7]

    777 shoots a little hotter than some other BP substitutes and therefore a slight reduction in VOLUME is in order (10-15% +/-).  Also fffg shoots a little hotter than ffg so another reduction(about 10%).  Now, how the two together add up, I don't know.  I just started shooting some 777 fffg myself, in my 32 Cherokee.  I started at 35 gr with a prb.  I had not shot this barrel before some I don't have any comparison, but the load seemed fairly stout.  I haven't increased it any at this point, nor have I cronon'd it either.  So far I'm quite pleased with the powder.  Walt

[Two Bears]

Just go black and don't look back....

Why use a powder that you need to worry about how much you need to reduce a charge, just use Goex FFFG. Clean up is really no different than the subs (just a myth to sell more sub powders), you will see that you will have the same steps to clean both of them and you will save a ton of money buying Goex black powder vs the subs.

Give it a try.

[Hopalong7]

     I would if I could find any!  I agree totally with Two Bears, especially in my side locks and small calibers, but it is very hard to come by and if you order it, the shipping cost a small fortune. Walt

[flintlock]

Time for a road trip, take the wife out for a romantic weekend...

If you are in Moneta, VA then you are about 2 1/2 hours from Advance, NC and 3 1/2 hours from Winchester, VA...There is a Goex Distributor in both locations...You'd have to check on their current price but I believe it is running about $13.00 a pound...

The nice thing about black powder is the lower ignition temperature, which will give more reliable ignition...

The reason the subs were invented was to have something with a higher ignition temp so storage and shipping weren't so regulated...

btw...Are you sure nobody in Roanoke doesn't carry the real thing??? When I used to travel there were several gunshops in the area...Also, Bass Pro and Gander Mt carry in some locals but you have to ask as they store it in a safe in the back...

[Semisane]

Just order a case every year the way I do - current price is $12.60 a pound delivered to your door.     It doesn't go bad, so it's a good deal even if the case will last you a lifetime.

http://jackspowderkeg.com/

[Hopalong7]

     flintlock, You are D man.  Not alotta folks know where Moneta is....course a lotta folks don't know where Advance is either, but I do and a matter-o-fact I'll be by that way the end of the week.  Who is the distributor there.  In Advance he can't be hard to find.  I used to be in Winchester right often too, but not much anymore.  Can't believe our new Gander Mt. here in Roanoke doesn't carry black.  Of course they don't have much smokeless either...or boolits....and forget about primers.  Thanks, Walt

[flintlock]

It's Parks & Sons...Just go to the Goex website and pull up distributors, then map it out...

If you can't find it, hit me back and I'll pull it up, wife's called and says supper is on so I'm getting out of the office...

[Hopalong7]

     Thank You Sir!!!  Walt

[Forestclimber]

If you know anybody going to the NMLA shoot at Friendship, Indiana in June or September, that's a good place to get it.  A trip  to friendship is a good time anyway.