Triple Se7en

[kevshell]

Curious if anyone is using Triple Seven powder in a side lock muzzleloader. I used it in pellet form with 209 ignition and the TC shockwave in shotgun only counties because it shot like a center fire rifle. Black powder is non-existent here. I used FF when I hunted with a TC Hawken and it worked good but again it's just no where to be found in a store. I'm not interested in going the pyrodex route which leaves me with Triple Seven I believe. I've read a bunch about it and was leaning towards Magnum/Plus #11 caps with Triple Seven loose powder and a conical bullet for deer and elk (if the opportunity arises). I've read some had issues with ignition and some have been using a similar set up for years with no problems. Do you have any experience or insight with Triple Seven and side locks?

[junebug]

I use musket caps on my in-lines and black powder, have not used tripple 7. I personally feel more deer and other animals are saved each year by people not properly drying the breech and nipple channel than what powder they use. I dry my barrel then pop several caps on it before loading to dry the nipple channel. Once its loaded I leave it outside in an unheated dry place usually the truck, after a hunt if i had no luck. Taking it in from the cold to warm will make the barrel sweat causing problems. Starting with a clean barrel I have left mine loaded several days with no problems of fail to fire or hang fires. A hot cap is a good idea but will not defeat a clogged nipple channel or wet oily barrel. jmho

[cas]

I've used Triple 7 with a side / cap lock with no issue. I had a T/C Scout pistol and with Triple 7 there was a slight hang fire, just a tiny delay every shot, so I stopped using it. Don't know why, inline system, it shouldn't have been an issue.

You're extremely unlikely to find real black powder in a store, because almost no one can comply with BATFE's storage requirements, or aren't willing to go through the effort and expense.

I started buying real BP when I bought my first flintlock. Then started using it in cartridges, THEN in my cap lock muzzle loaders. If I can help it I will never use substitutes again.

I personally feel more deer and other animals are saved each year by people not properly drying the breech and nipple channel than what powder they use

Discussing using "real" muzzleloaders with someone once, they were afraid of traditional style rifles because they were afraid they would be less reliable. They said "What if I see a deer and my gun doesn't go off?" I replied "Then, you are actually muzzleloader hunting."

That said, there is nothing easier to get to ignite than real BP.

[gustaf]

Graf and Sons has black powder and can be shipped to your door.

[kevshell]

I looked in a few places online and tons of places locally. I did not look at grafs. I'll check that out. I liked BP in my old Hawken but the Triple Seven was great in my encore inline. I'll keep looking.

[junebug]

You can also try kygunco.com They carry both black powder and Tripple Seven. For other black powder needs both rifle, pistol, and shotgun try Flintlocks llc, at www myflintlock.com.

[cas]

I've bought BP from: Maine Powder House and Powder Valley, but they're both out of everything.

Track of the Wolf shows some stuff in stock. Don't know if that's up to date.
Buffalo Arms as well.

Powder Inc seems to as well, never dealt with them.

[northerngos]

To answer, as long as I did my part I never had an issue with 777 ffg in my hawken 50 cal with cci magnum #11 caps. Rws is also selling their caps again to the states, not sure whether they changed anything between iterations.

edit to say with heavy conicals 

[bigbore5]

I haven't had any problems using it with cci magnum caps. It gave a few hang-fires with standard #11 in my Hawken replica.

[kevshell]

Powder and caps on the way.

[revolvercranker]

Here's my comments on the 777 I have used. I used it in an inline 50 caliber muzzle loader and used the 209 shotshell primers for ignition. Zero problems. Hodgdon's states you must seat your projectile hard against 777. I've used in in my Ruger Old Army with CCI #11 caps. Again zero problems. Not too long ago I bought a Pietta 1860 cap n ball revolver. I use 777 in that too, also with CCI #11 caps. Zero problems. With the firearms covered and their performance I want to talk about the power of 777. I've have gotten velocities as high as the 1200 fps with 45 caliber 200 grain SWC cast bullets meant for the 45acp. I've also shot it with the RCBS 255 grain SWC, but don't get that 1200 fps, but it's since up there and enough that it gets your attention. With the 1860 and the round ball I'm nearling 1100 fps, but it became a tad uncomfortable to shoot for just target shooting and plinking. I cut the charge back and it's great. In fact at 30 yards with six shots it literally cut a one inch hole in the target and it was to point of aim. I can't ask for more.

Now on cleaning. I had read on another forum that a fellow let his firearm set for three weeks after using 777 and he got no rust. I thought I would try it with the stainless Ruger Old Army first. Sure enough no corrosion, but it has moisture on it. Not a lot, but some. Next I tried it with the 1860 which is blued steel and nothing there either. Now what I do with either revolver is spray it liberably with WD 40 (yeah I know) and put it away. The 1860 I has been put away for months, I check it often, and nothing. 777 is far far less corrosive then pyrodex. I hate pyrodex, it's not only corrosive it burns extremely hot. I have a flame cut on the top strap of my ROA from shooting it a lot. It also cut a small pocket in the hammer face. I talked to Hodgdon about this and they blew me off and said talk to Ruger.

That's my take on both these powders. Right now my remainder of pyrodex has been relegated to making fireworks. If any of you lived close I would just give it to you.