TC BP In Line Rifle Loading Pyrodex RS vs Pellets

[Offspring]

I'm a total newbe when it comes to Black Powder. Some experience with smokeless guns/powder but this is my first Black Powder rifle. I like the looks of the Black Diamond and thought I would like to get into Black Powder. Anyway, there are no charge data for Pyrodex RS powder in my owners manual but there is for pellets. For .50 cal it calls for mostly 2 pellets of pyrodex. That's 100Gr. Would I load 100gr of Prodex RS or sell it and buy pellets? Maybe I should just go back to something I understand. I really would like to get into Black powder tho. Any help would be very appreciated. None of my friends shoot BP so I can't ask them. Maybe an E-mail to TC. Thanks in advance.
Offspring

 

[Pancho]

The 100 gr. or two pellets would be equivalent to 100 gr. of powder measured by volume.

 

[josmund]

Welcome to the BP World. Many people have found it very rewarding and fun.

Loose powder is the choice of many because you can adjust the load much easier than pellets. For example, your Black Diamond may prefer 80 grains of powder. Plus, it's much less expensive if you shoot much at all.

FYI.. I'd start at about 70 and work my up in 5 grain increments until you see what shoot the best.

Also, be vigilant in cleaning your gun. If you you don't have time to clean it the same day you shoot, don't go shooting.

 

[Pancho]

2nd josmund's words and add that a few years ago the muzzleloading manufacturers got into a power war where they were touting their new guns as being "magnum" and able to shoot 150 grs. of powder. It was pure marketing and a lot of newbies bought into it and thought the optimum load had to be 100 grs. plus.
You might ask yourself if you are going to hunt or paper punch. If paper punching is your goal 100 grs. may not be your most accurate load and is a waste of money.
It is considered an altruism that each gun has it's own sweet load and should be found by working up a load in 5 or 10gr. increments.
Consider that during the Civil war the typical charge was a 58 cal. minnie ball and 60 grs. of blackpowder.

 

[arcticap]

The Black Diamond PDF manual linked below includes suggested loads and ballistic charts for both loose black powder and pellets with various projectiles on pages 51 - 66. All of the substitute powders basically equals the same volume of black powder except for 777 loose powder for which the equivalent load is 15% less volume due to its increased potency. Thus 85 grains volume of 777 loose equals ~100 grains volume of any other powder.

http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals/noncurrent/Black_Diamond_Manual.pdf

 

[Offspring]

Thank you Pancho, josmund and arcticap for the prompt replies. I have always received good and considered information from the members of this forum and I appreciate each of you very much. I read the link and copied the pdf from arcticap to file. I will continue to read it over again. Thanks to each of you. You represent the high quality of shooters.
Offspring.

 

[Pancho]

BTW, If you haven't already read the stickies at the top of page. A lot of good info from a lot of experienced people.