Best 777 load in your gun

[biggameballs]

Hello I am new to muzzle loading and will be shooting my gun at the range for the 1st time this weekend. I have a TC Encore Pro Hunter and I decided to go with 777 pellets and Barnes MZ Expander sabots. I purchased the 30gr and 50 gr pellets to give myself some more flexibility with my loads. I am thinking of starting off with 2 30's and 1 50 for 110 gr of total powder. What have you found to be the optimal load out of your muzzle loader?

 

[Mark whiz]

Personally, I prefer to use the loose powder 777 as (for me) it's more consistent and provides the most options for load development.

As far as loads go, it depends on bullet weight. I use 80gr loose for up to 300gr sabots, 90gr for 350gr sabots, and 100gr for 400gr sabots. These loads give me dime- to nickel-sized groups at 75 yards and around 1500fps at the muzzle and have flat out plastered every critter I've shot with them.

These are for my Knight USAK which has a shorter barrell than your Encore, so you'll probably have to experiment plus or minus 10gr to equal my results in accuracy.

I have found using both loose & pellet, 777, Pyro, CleanShot, etc that it is best for accuracy to keep your powder loads less than the much advertised "magnum" loads and also to go with heavier bullets, with 300gr sabots being about the minimum I'll shoot.

 

[biggameballs]

Hows the recoil compared to say a 30-06 or 270?

 

[Mark whiz]

I would say recoil is comparable to a .308...................not as sharp as an '06 cartridge - more like a heavy push or thud. The 400gr bullet with the 100gr of powder DOES get your attention though.

Just make sure you don't crowd the scope eyepiece with your face - you'll regret it.

 

[smokemaker]

My T/C Omega didn't like pellets, so I had to go with loose powder. Starting at 80 grains, I bumped by 10 grains till the accuracy fell off. I ended up with 120 grains of FFg 777 and a Hornady 300 grain SST. Shoots really great out of that gun, but it is a bit brisk to shoot. (Though no worse than the Ithaca 37 slug gun I was using before that!)

 

[mykeal]

'Optimal load', if there is such a thing, depends on many factors; projectile weight and configuration is just one. For instance, caliber is kind of important.

110 gr of 777 is a very heavy load, unlikely to be as accurate as a much lower load at longer ranges.

 

[biggameballs]

One thing I should point out is that I live and hunt in MN and they do not allow the use of scopes here for the muzzle loading season. I don't feel very comfortable shooting open sights much past 100 yards so I don't know how much accuracy will matter anyways. I am assuming just about any load with a decent projectile should be plenty accurate for hunting out to 100. Am I safe to assume this?

 

[mykeal]

I am assuming just about any load with a decent projectile should be plenty accurate for hunting out to 100. Am I safe to assume this?

Yes, unless taken to extremes. 40 gr < load > 90 gr (777).

I suggest you consider peep sights.

 

[biggameballs]

I actually like the fiber optic sights on my pro hunter. My eyes are just not that great so the open sights dont do me much good past 100.

 

[Mark whiz]

I think you're right in the zone, biggameballs.

I would be comfortable to a MAX of 125 yards, and definitely prefer (and am sighted for) less than 100yds......... and that's with a 4X scope.

Moderate powder loads and heavier projectiles have been the ticket for me, but it will take some experiemntation on your part to see what works best for your firearm.

You can take a look here and see what I'm working with in my rifle:
http://http://home-and-garden.webshots.com/album/66414501RJKYAr