Is this dangerous ? (BP substitutes)

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

50 grs of Triple 7, and 30 grains of Pyrodex in the same load, in a Traditions inline? Can't find Triple 7 in anything except loose and 50 gr pellets, and I like the convenience of the pellets (sorry, not a traditionalist). Any harm in this combo? I want to try an 80 gr load.

[[I apologize in advance if this is a dumb question, and a Hiroshima-type explosion will result, as any dolt knows.....]]

 

[bejay]

not sure, you could try contacting the company and asking them.
I think if you picked up some loose powder and a measure you would probably preffer it over the pellets, you will have better accuracy as it allows you to taylor your load better and once measured can be loaded just as fast out of a speed loader it isnt really a traditionalist thing as inlines where made well before the pellets.

 

[stevereno1]

WHY?????????

 

[mykeal]

I assume the Pyrodex is loose powder, yes?

It is not dangerous as long as you keep (large) air gaps out of the load. But it will be very inconsistent both in terms of failure to fire and accuracy results.

Consistency in loading is a key factor in getting good accuracy, and there is no better way to get inconsistent compression of powder than to mix pellets and loose powder. You just can't control that interface.

This is an experiment that's doomed to failure.

 

[Omnivore]

I dont know about triple 7, but pyrodex pellets come in a 30 grain size, unless they discontinued them (I have some). One 30 grain pellet and one 50, and you're set. But it's true of course, that you can vary a loose powder charge in extremely small increments and get exactly what you want. Plain old Pyrodex powder isn't so bad, and as stated, loose powder can be loaded just as quickly as pellets if you're using a quick loader.

 

[arcticap]

No it's not harmful.
But sometimes 777 pellets will cause a crud ring to form when they're used with some brands of hotter 209 primers. That's why Winchester came out with the lighter 209 primers labeled "777".
At least by only loading 1 50 grain 777 pellet, the 777 crud ring won't be as bad as if loading with 2 of them.
Who knows, the loading may end up shooting accurately.
And if it doesn't, you can always try out other pellet combinations like (3) 30's; (2) 50's; or (1) 50 & (2) 30's (if the rifle is rated for it).
Good luck and let us know how it works out.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

This is a pellets-only proposition

The why is because 777 comes only in 50 grain pellets, and the Pyrodex comes only in 30 grain pellets, and I want something that is a little lighter than a 100 gr load, so want to try an 80 gr load. I had been using 2x50 grain 777s. Seems to me it will be quite consistent, with one on bottom and one on top. Weird, but consistent (probably).


Thanks for all the advice!

 

[mykeal]

777 is available in 30 gr pellets for .50 cal rifles.
http://www.hodgdon.com/tripleseven-pellets.html

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Ahhh, ok, thank you mykeal - no store around here has those, but that's what I'm wanting...


Hmmm, are those "Triple Seven Magnums" just an accident waiting to happen? If "Magnumitis Joe" already is hyped up on using 150 grains of powder to turn his CVA or Traditions into a 300 yard machine (from watching all the huntin shows), then he goes and buys the "Magnum" Triple Sevens, doesn't read the directions that two of them is actually more powerful than 3 of the regular ones; he drops 3 in and.... well, you know what happens then. I predict this is GONNA happen; not might happen. Injuries and lawsuits are coming... I just hope the injuries are to the bubba who doesn't read the directions only, not to innocent bystanders.

 

[mykeal]

According to Hodgdon's web site, "two 777 magnum pellets provide 200-250 fps more velocity, resulting in 2000 fps from a 27" barrel". That means the regular load provided 2000-250 =1750 fps. I don't see where it says that two magnums are more powerful than three regular 777 pellets.

Hodgdon is very clear to state maximum loads. There are always those who will overload beyond manufacturer's recommendations. Lawsuits have been ineffective in those cases.

 

[K.A.T.]

Mixed loads.

I can't answer your question about mixing pyrodex with triple seven. But I shoot 20 grns. of loose pyrodex loaded first with two 50grn. pellets sitting on top of it. My gun loves it, the loose powder actually ignites this load quicker than pellets loaded by their self. It doesn't affect accuracy, I have a target here beside me that I shot at 100yds., three holes touching.

Now, just to mess everybody's theories up really bad, I do this using powerbelts in a Hawkens with iron sights.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Very very nice rifle & group, K.A.T.! Oustanding, and interesting mix.

Guys, hee hee, I will be trying this Sunday morning, as I just bought a box of 30 gr Pyrodex. Gonna put it on top of the 50 gr 777, and try it with 245 gr powerbelts (HPs). If it sucks, then I'll switch to 90 gr Pyrodex or back to 100 of 777. I will report back if alive. Gonna clean all the plastic out of my rifling really well before testing Sunday.

 

[DixieTexian]

Now, just to mess everybody's theories up really bad, I do this using powerbelts in a Hawkens with iron sights.

Now, if you really want to screw us up, tell us you did it with slow twist rifling.

 

[K.A.T.]

Fast Twist

It's a Green Mountain Barrel 1-28 twist. It loves Powerbelts and the TC Maxiballs. I was playing around one day at the shooting range and discovered this load. I thought I would try the pellets just to take the "packing the powder the same every time" out of the loading process. I found it takes 20 grns. of loose powder in front of the pellets to ignite them in the sidehammer. It works great, and I have killed many deer with this load.