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Question regarding powder charge?

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GRAMPS

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I have been shooting differnt bullets and loads in my T/C Black Diamond all summer and so far the most accurate load is 90 grains of 777 with a 300 grain T/C Shock Wave Bullet. Does anyone else shoot this load and is it effective on deer? I know that a lot of folks shoot 120-150 grains of powder, but those loads were simply not accurate in my rifle.
 
I don't pretend to be an expert, but I don't mind telling my limited experiences with muzzle loader loads.

First of all, 90 grains of 777 is the equivilent of just over a 100 grains of black powder or Pyrodex. Like you, I've tried more powder and found that accuracy deteriorated.

I'm sure it varies from gun to gun, but in my CVA's (a bolt action and break action inlines), I have found that 90 grains (by volume) of Pyrodex or 80 grains of 777 gives the best performance with the added benefit of not being very punishing to shoot. I'm pushing a 370 grain Maxiball and it definitely packs the punch necessary to drop a deer at the ranges you're likely to encounter in deer woods.

To be honest, I've never even considered shooting 150 grains of anything. I know that these newer guns a built to take it and I'm sure that some people have success with it, but that's just not necessary for me and my hunting conditions.

Now take this note and $5 to Opryland Hotel and you can have a cup of coffee. :smile:
 
If the accuracy was good, I'd take that load hunting in a heart beat and wouldn't feel under gunned at all. It should do just fine on whitetail. Keep in mind, many a deer was killed before shooting "magnum" charges became common.

I am currently shooting a heavier powder charge, 110 gr. of 777 with a 250 gr. Barnes expander. Accuracy is good and recoil is suprisingly mild, at least I think so. I'm not really recoil sensitive though.
 
I'm probably a little late but the T/C BD is kinda short barreled isn't it? Black powder and subs. are low-pressure, slow propellant so (fwiw) I think you are pretty much wasting powder if you don't have the barrel to burn it in - you are just making muzzle blast and smoke. I shoot SST sabots in 200 gr .45 and 100gr T-7. Very good, very accurate, very dead dear.

The only reason I shoot 100 is I prefer pellets (777 in 50gr) and in Pyrodex (30gr pellets - what I initially set up with) I got my best load at 90 gr. When I switched to 777, they come in 50s only. In my T/C Omega, 120 and 150 loads of Pyrodex went to crap fast (no pun intended) yet the MV of the bullet really didn't change much. So once I switched to 777, I never felt the need to clock the bullets.

TNC is right about 777 being a bit hotter. I had Hodgdon tell me that. They said, if you shoot T7 and have accuracy problems back off your charge to about 90% of Pyrodex. Some sabots just can't handle the highest pressures no matter what their box says.

Just an excuse to show see clip 1m:13s. There just isn't a need to "Bubba up" your charges if you don't have to.
 
DA, I prefer loose powder over pellets also. I had some weird things happen with pellets at the range one day. Had pellets flying thur the air on fire like fireworks. A friend had this same thing happen with pellets once while shooting at a deer. We both switched to loose powder..........no problems since.
 
GRAMPS said:
DA, I prefer loose powder over pellets also. I had some weird things happen with pellets at the range one day. Had pellets flying thur the air on fire like fireworks. A friend had this same thing happen with pellets once while shooting at a deer. We both switched to loose powder..........no problems since.
Click to expand...

Can I ask what pelets you had and what ignition system your gun used? With Pyrodex you can use any (#11, m.caps, 209) but for T-7 pellets, you must use 209s.
 
Both of us were using Triple 7 pellets out of two different boxes and 209 primers.
I used both Pyrodex and Triple 7 pellets and was never able to get decent groups out of my rifle.
 
Everything DA stated esp. anything over a 100 is a waste.

My favorite combo is 3f, 777, at 100 grain and 250 shockwave. I love um.

My encore that I hunt with has a 26" barrel that has had the QLA cut off.
 

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