Author Topic: 777 residue problems.... (Read 1045 times)

jonr · « **on:** December 08, 2004, 10:50:01 PM »

Hey everyone!

Just a quick question. I just got my first muzzleloader, a Thompson Grey Hawk .50 cal. I called them to see what powder and load they recommend and they do not use 777. They only use Pyrodex or black powder.

This was b/c they said 777 causes a residue/crust build up ring near the area the bullet seats. They said if using 777 you must clean between every shot. Suposedly this is b/c 777 burns 300 degrees hotter.

Anyone have any problems like this or with 777 in general? I bought a pound before hearing this b/c my gunsmith recommended it.

Thanks!

Jonr

Jon in MI · « **Reply #1 on:** December 09, 2004, 02:09:42 AM »

I have shot a lot of 777 in my .54 prb flintlock and have had none of the problems you speak of. Clean up is no different that with BP. I don't believe that 777 is easier to clean than BP but it surely isn't any harder. BTW, the best groups I have been able to get out of my rifle are with 777. From the bench at 100 yds I can cover 3 shots with my thumb! I haven't tried Swiss yet, only Goex and 777.

RCL · « **Reply #2 on:** December 09, 2004, 03:06:29 AM »

Do a search in the modern muzzleloading section for "crud ring".

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #3 on:** December 09, 2004, 08:24:10 PM »

Recommendation for search of "crud ring" is a good one. Quick answer is that 777 can form the ring mentioned. Depends a lot on the primer used, the rifle design (breechplug face configuration, primer channel length and shape, bore size relative to bullet/sabot used and a host of other variables). My Omega was so bad with 777 that I will not use that powder anymore. I now use Black Mag3 which is great powder but not very easy to find. I had to order mine and with hazmat fees the price is pretty high. 777 also has a sharp recoil characteristic that I do not like. I chronographed some 100gr. ffg 777 loads against 100gr. Black Mag3 and found the Black Mag3 was 300fps faster out of the muzzle and felt like less recoil. This was with a 300grain bullet in a sabot. My recommendation for powder is from best to worst (again this is my rifle and my opinion):BEST Black Mag3, American Pioneer Powder, Pyrodex and or real Black Powder fffg (both about equal), 777 is WORST. If you love 777 thats great; however, it is just not for me based on my experience.

Double D · « **Reply #4 on:** December 10, 2004, 11:21:27 AM »

I was using Triple 77 in my 577/450 and getting an awful build up right in front of the throat. Hard hard fouling. I neede a bruch wrapped in steel wool to get it out. I was using crisco/beeswax/olive oil lube. Hodgdon told me to use bullet lubes for smokless powder. Worked no more crud ring!

Dan Chamberlain · « **Reply #5 on:** December 11, 2004, 02:18:34 PM »

Pretend 777 is smokeless! If you have to use a lube, use one for smokeless powders. Waxy lubes work well.

Dan C

carl basballe · « **Reply #6 on:** December 15, 2004, 03:38:14 AM »

I moisten a patch with spit and run it down the bore flip it over and run it down the bore again between each shot and I have not problems with 777 then. I dropped a 140 class 9 pointer (1 broken brow tine) the first weekend of deer season with my .50 cal. Encore at about 120 yards with a 240 grain TC hollow point/sabot and 90 grains of 777 and it performed well. The buck was quartering away and the bullet transversed the body and ended up under the skin on the right shoulder, fully expanded and intact, the buck travelled about 60 yards at an intermittent trot, wagging his tail side to side! I've never seen that before. I carry an extra patch with all my speed loads in case I need an extra shot. Best wishes with your set up, I think you'll be happy with 777, just remember to clean between shots.

Charles/NM · « **Reply #7 on:** December 26, 2004, 09:18:44 AM »

A friend gave me a pound of T7 after he decided he didn't like shooting it in his Savage ML-10. I didn't like it either and gave it back to him. 50 cal T/C Hawken kicked like a mule and the residue made the percussion nipple very hard to remove even when I used Never-sieze on it's threads. But mostly what I didn't like was the unpleasant recoil. I think you're supposed to reduce volume loads for T7 compared to BP or Pyrodex. My friend used it to fertilize his wife's flowers.

crow_feather · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2004, 08:31:00 AM »

FINALLY!

Someone has figured out the perfect use for 777. I just knew it wasn't fer use inna rifle.

C F

Keith Lewis · « **Reply #9 on:** January 03, 2005, 07:57:31 AM »

Quote from: crow_feather

FINALLY!

Someone has figured out the perfect use for 777. I just knew it wasn't fer use inna rifle.

C F

Put me on the agreement list also. I will have to see if my wife will accept the 777 I have left for her flowers. WORST POWDER I HAVE EVER USED!