Powder help

[Jamieb]

I drew a multi season elk tag this year, I was only planing on hunting archery and modern as I have the gear for those weapon seasons. After looking at the regs some more I see a unit that I've hunted befor is open for the early muzzy season. So last night after a few drinks I got on cables a web site ( never shop on line when drinking).
 The order I'm placed is supposed to be in the Lacey store for pick up on the 3'rd, that gives me one day to get sited in and ready to go. I ordered a traditions nw RMEF 50cal, bore butter some Barnes 290gr sabots and a bunch of other stuff but I wasn't able to order musket caps or powder. The musket caps ill find locally but what powder should I get? I was going to order the pyrodex 50gr pellets but cabelas won't ship powder right now. It's not like me to wait to the last minute but it happens this time.

Thanks
Jamie

[bobcat]

I would get Triple 7, either FFF or FF, doesn't really matter. I like the loose powder myself, never tried the pellets. If Cabelas doesn't have it, Sunbirds in Chehalis probably does. They did last time I was in there anyway. (a few weeks ago)

[elk247]

  or bobs in longview. They had pellets but no loose last time i stopped by. It all works, get it asap. Powder has been hit and miss. Good choice with the muzzleloader, I think the season should be a good one. 

[Jamieb]

I shoot Wed. Nights at the Centrailia range so I already planned on a stop at sunbirds tomorrow. What's the difference between FFF and FF?

[Fl0und3rz]

Try Sportco in Fife, but watch the red light cams.  Also consider the muzzleloader supply in Puyallup on River Road.

[Jamieb]

When I was working down in Longview, I'd stop by bobs a couple of times a week but now that I'm on a job in Tacoma, bobs is a little far for me. Shopping at bobs is the only thing ill miss about working 70 miles south of here.

[Fastass350]

I shoot the pyrodex pellets, I like them, always fired hot, but keep the gun clean after you fire it cause they are harder on the barrel than the 777. Smells worse too.

[Muleyhunter47]

What ever you do from my experience do not shoot pyrodex!!! the grouping of the bullets is very incosistent. I prefer goex true black powder.

[lokidog]

I shoot Wed. Nights at the Centrailia range so I already planned on a stop at sunbirds tomorrow. What's the difference between FFF and FF?

FFF is a smaller granulation and will burn faster creating more pressure.  If you go to Hogdon's website it will give you a comparison of velocities for 80 and 100 gr of both FFF and FF of the 777, they also have Pyrodex listed.  You get about 5% more velocity out of the FFF, but it is not recommended for anything larger than .50 cal.

[Patarero]

777 powder.  My speed loaders are setup with powder as well.

[Sabotloader]

Anytime I am shooting a cap gun (percussion rifle) I use T7-3f -> ignites easier and burns cleaner...

[usmc74]

Will T7 fire in a traditional (sidelock) muzzleloader?  Friend has a Lyman GP hunter. I shoot it in my inline, and he is very envious of my easy reloads

[bobcat]

Will T7 fire in a traditional (sidelock) muzzleloader?  Friend has a Lyman GP hunter. I shoot it in my inline, and he is very envious of my easy reloads

I use Triple 7 in my sidelock. No problem with powder ignition.
Except when the cap doesn't go off.   

[MountainDevil54]

If you want to get as close to 100% ignition, Goex, Swiss, Olde Eynsford and other REAL black powders are the way to go. Subs ignite as much higher temps and so, add some foul weather into the mix and that makes the subs ignite even harder. Some will complain about ordering due to the hazmat, sure thats tough up front, but if it bothers you that much, just order a few lbs to keep on hand and use the sub powders like t7 or pyrodex for target shooting/practice  but keep the GOOD stuff for hunting only.

[Sabotloader]

Will T7 fire in a traditional (sidelock) muzzleloader?  Friend has a Lyman GP hunter. I shoot it in my inline, and he is very envious of my easy reloads

All shoot in my sidelocks is T7-3f.  We hunt in sub freezing weather all the time over here.  I use #11 Mag caps and have never had a problem with 3f, especially if you tap some powder out the side of the barrel and under the nipple when loading. 

Shoot! I even shot T7-3f @ Rondy shoots - T7-3f burns so clean and with cap ignition there no need to run a patch just keep shooting...

[Z_rock01]

I have been shooting APP (Jim Shockey Gold) for about 10 years now. I have had TONS of people tell me that, that powder sucks.... and not realiable.. well having 10 years behind my belt and 7 Elk and not one miss fire (thats not caused by me) I would say make sure you try all powders and see what you like. I shoot 120gr Jim shockey gold FFF with a 300gr Barnes MZ and and shooting a knight and love it. But I went through hundreds of bullets and tons of powder to find what i like. Its just like reloading ammo, same concept....

[spikehunter]

I also like to soak my pellets in water to let them get accalamated to the wet weather we are going to have 

[Sabotloader]

I also like to soak my pellets in water to let them get accalamated to the wet weather we are going to have 

Ah Ha!!! that is the step I missed