Actually the first time I tried 777 was a brand new fresh can. Compressed it like black powder in my 1858 Rem and got weird results and a lot of fouling I was really dissapointed with it. Then I read the caution on the site about no more than 1/10" compression and tried it again just seating the balls on the powder. All the difference in the world. That was a couple of years ago. Since I've shot away several pounds in both muzzle loaders and cartridge guns with great results little fouling and consistent velocity. Great stuff. I've not had any problems with using from a can that has been opened of 777. Now pyrodex that is a different story if it's been opened for a length of time it becomes really wierd.
777 load for brass frame .44 Navy
- Thread starter MCgunner
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MCgunner
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Okay, first range trip today. DANG it's hot out there, and humid! Sitting in the AC in front of a fan trying to dry the sweat out of my shirt.
Anyway, I started off with 15 grains 777 and corn meal filler. It was rather light, too light. I didn't bother with the chronograph today, too danged hot to mess with all that. It'll wait, I guess. I shot 20 grains equivalent 777 (Lee 1.3 cc dipper) topped by corn meal filler (Lee .7cc scoop) and round ball and it seemed to have a little better pop without much recoil. Should be easy enough on the gun. It's got pretty good momentum, knocked down the falling plates pretty well and range the gongs pretty well at 25 yards. I think I'll stick with that load for round ball, might back off again to the 1.0 cc scoop, 15 grains, with the 220 conical once I get my loader. I think 20 grains 777 is going to be too much pressure behind a 220 conical.
The thing shoots WAY high. At 25 yards, I gotta shoot at the family jewels to hit center mass. It's quite accurate, though. At 15 yards off hand, I got 3" groups. That ain't bad. It's dead on windage, just shoots high. I could pull the bead out and put a longer piece of braising rod in the hole like I did with my .31 Remmy, but I think I'll keep it as is. I know how to hold to hit at range. But, once I get my new to me 7" barrel cut down to snubby length, I might then decide to put a taller front sight in the 5.5" barrel, not sure. I've got to fit that longer barrel, though, with some filing. I was going to shoot it today in full 7.5, but it fits too tight. Hell, I may decide to keep that barrel long, but I doubt it. I sorta wanna chop it to 2.5 or 3".
Anyway, I started off with 15 grains 777 and corn meal filler. It was rather light, too light. I didn't bother with the chronograph today, too danged hot to mess with all that. It'll wait, I guess. I shot 20 grains equivalent 777 (Lee 1.3 cc dipper) topped by corn meal filler (Lee .7cc scoop) and round ball and it seemed to have a little better pop without much recoil. Should be easy enough on the gun. It's got pretty good momentum, knocked down the falling plates pretty well and range the gongs pretty well at 25 yards. I think I'll stick with that load for round ball, might back off again to the 1.0 cc scoop, 15 grains, with the 220 conical once I get my loader. I think 20 grains 777 is going to be too much pressure behind a 220 conical.
The thing shoots WAY high. At 25 yards, I gotta shoot at the family jewels to hit center mass. It's quite accurate, though. At 15 yards off hand, I got 3" groups. That ain't bad. It's dead on windage, just shoots high. I could pull the bead out and put a longer piece of braising rod in the hole like I did with my .31 Remmy, but I think I'll keep it as is. I know how to hold to hit at range. But, once I get my new to me 7" barrel cut down to snubby length, I might then decide to put a taller front sight in the 5.5" barrel, not sure. I've got to fit that longer barrel, though, with some filing. I was going to shoot it today in full 7.5, but it fits too tight. Hell, I may decide to keep that barrel long, but I doubt it. I sorta wanna chop it to 2.5 or 3".
Ratdog68
Member
Sounds like you have a good plan working for you. Keep the tale going as you get 'er tuned in.
The rule of thumb with 777 is to reduce the load by 15% as it is FAR hotter than either Black Powder or Pyrodex.
I have used both Pyrodex and 777 alongside eachother for comparison and found the 15% 777 reduction to be pretty advisable.
777 cleans up easiest of all the BP substitutes.
ZVP
I have used both Pyrodex and 777 alongside eachother for comparison and found the 15% 777 reduction to be pretty advisable.
777 cleans up easiest of all the BP substitutes.
ZVP
20-22 grains max and a round ball, i understand, of fff is the recommended load to keep from damaging a brasser Colt. I'm thinkin' 15-18 grains 777 behind a 220 grain Lee conical. Think that would be light enough? With compression, 777 seems a might hotter than BP. Seems to need compression, though. I reckon I can use my chronograph to check the warmth of the load. Keep that bullet down under 800 fps and it should be okay, ya think?
Opinions requested. Thanks.I don't wanna stretch this one like I did my last one. I ain't out to kill anything with it, but paper or maybe cans.
MCgunner
Member
Hmm, well, the insert with the gun from Cabelas recommends a max load of 25 grains BP or pyrodex to preserve frame integrity. 20 grains of 777 is a 20 percent reduction in the load, so by that, I'm on the safe side, I reckon. I feel good about it, anyway. I still need to chronograph it, but it shoot light and was accurate. The 1.0 scoop is 15 grain equivalents and it just seemed WAY light. Hardly any recoil at all It took as much filler as powder to get the ball to seat to the powder properly. The 1.3 scoop, 20 grains, gave a little recoil, a good boom, was accurate, and still quite a light load. I'm quite happy with that and, other than the lube from the crisco over the balls, was a snap to clean compared to pyrodex. I suspect it's easier on metal parts having no sulfur in it, too, which to me is a good thing.
edit....just doing the math, looks like 20 grains 777 equates to a 15 percent reduction from about 23.5 grains BP/Pyrodex.
edit....just doing the math, looks like 20 grains 777 equates to a 15 percent reduction from about 23.5 grains BP/Pyrodex.
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