loose powder?

[Axis II]

I have always used 2 pellets of 777 in my in-lines but my new one seems to prefer 120gr magnum pellets and they are a little pricy. Can i do 120gr of 777 loose instead of the pellets? if so what would you guys go with? fff or ff?

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Yes, ff and start low and work up just like you would if changing components for a cartridge load.
You may find a sweet spot for accuracy that you can't get with pellets.

 

[rodwha]

Were it me I'd go with 3F. Sometimes rifles prefer one granulation of another. But 3F will always leave less fouling and takes slightly less to achieve the same velocity. .50 cal is typically where it's said the 2F/3F teeters. But many people use 3F I much larger calibers including 12 ga.

 

[Bushpilot]

I

have always used 2 pellets of 777 in my in-lines but my new one seems to prefer 120gr magnum pellets and they are a little pricy. Can i do 120gr of 777 loose instead of the pellets? if so what would you guys go with? fff or ff?

Yes you can use loose powder but if I remember correctly 120 grains of loose powder is actually more propellant then a 120 pellet because the loose powder is ALL powder, it doesn't contain the binder that holds the pellet together. This (wax?) binder accounts for something like 10% of the volume. I can't remember for certain where I heard this (I think i was the guy at the gun shop where I buy my reloading supplies) so I can't vouch for it completely but just something to keep in mind. I'd use the ff powder. For what it's worth my inline shoots better with loose powder then it does with pellets. Your results may vary.

 

[robhof]

I agree with drunkenpoacher, start with 80gr and work up with 2 or 3 shot groups, when group opens up back down and you have your most accurate load, much better than pellets. Every gun has it's sweet spot, I've got 2 caplocks 50cal, that have different load sweet spots, one takes 85gr for cloverleafs at 100 yds, the other takes 105gr for best accuracy at the same distance

 

[rodwha]

3F fouls less and typically needs a bit less powder. But some rifles shoot better with 2F. Were it me I'd start with 3F, which is what I've done for those reasons but also because I use it in my revolvers and prefer to stock and carry just one powder.

 

[Axis II]

well i just ordered a tc u view measure and the funnel for the powder bottle, harvester green sabots and 44cal 240gr xtp. Now i just need powder and some free time and we will see what it does.

 

[DD4lifeusmc]

get powder flask pour a supply in it. either one spout that is same size of your load or 1/2 your load
and dump two loads from the flask in it.
rule if thumb 50 cal and smaller FFFg larger than 50 cal FFg 50cal can go either way in some
cases.