Twist Rate

[Blackfeet]

I actually split the difference and was using 90 grs of 2f.  PRB load was 70 grs

[flintboomer]

Sounds like you are on the right track.

[captkody]

o.k. so I'm getting a rifle with1:48 about where should i start with powder loads. i will be shooting prb at 177 grain. I'm new to black powder but shoot a modern rifle reasonable well. i know that i have to experiment with powder charges to work up a load. i just need a base charge so the bullet doesn't get stuck in the barrel. so don't blast me to bad .

[DandJofAZ]

Just ask any 'dry baller'.. They will tell you that 3-4gr. of ffff will get it out of the barrel..you might want to try just a tad more though....my 32 with prb likes either 23gr or 32gr....my 40---well  up to 65gr...anything from just under bore dia. to 1 1/2 times bore dia.(50gr for 50cal)  may work for you...usually the higher one for powerful hunting load, but accurate paper load can be found with a lot less powder burned...just barrel harmonics to figure out..good luck..

Doug

[Red Badger]

Just ask any 'dry baller'.. They will tell you that 3-4gr. of ffff will get it out of the barrel..you might want to try just a tad more though....my 32 with prb likes either 23gr or 32gr....my 40---well  up to 65gr...anything from just under bore dia. to 1 1/2 times bore dia.(50gr for 50cal)  may work for you...usually the higher one for powerful hunting load, but accurate paper load can be found with a lot less powder burned...just barrel harmonics to figure out..good luck..

Doug

My .54 hawkins likes 55 gr of fffg for target and 100 gr for hunting loads gives me a nice small group at 100 yards with prb and .10 ticking spitpatch but each rifle is different..

[Hanshi]

Sixty grains of 3f is super accurate in both my flint .50 and percussion .54.  I go up a little for the woods.

[captkody]

  o.k. lets get more specific. i will be using 777 powder .490 177 grain patched ball. i just don't want to use the ball puller right away. i know somewhere down the line i will be using it . i just don't want it to be my first shoot. i will be shooting at any legal deer that crosses my path.

[Red Badger]

o.k. lets get more specific. i will be using 777 powder .490 177 grain patched ball. i just don't want to use the ball puller right away. i know somewhere down the line i will be using it . i just don't want it to be my first shoot. i will be shooting at any legal deer that crosses my path.

anything over 5 gr of any powder will push the ball through the barrel - how far it goes after that is a matter of speculation....     Just remember 100 gr of 777 pt down the barrel after the ball will result in a few choice words and the use of a ball puller....

Don't worry about having to use the ball puller just remember the mantra "Powder, Patch, Then Ball..."

[graybear]

If you're going to use 777, I'd use 40 gr. to start and work up loads from there. In my .50 With a 1/66 twist & flintlock, I use 50 gr. for paper punching and in my wife's .50 w/a 1/48 twist & caplock, we used 45 gr. of ffG Goex or 40 gr. of 777 in ffG equiv. 777 develops slightly more pressure so you should reduce the loads 10-15% from Goex. Part of the fun of muzzleloading is finding out the best loads for different purposes so have a blast(pun intended ). You will eventually have a shot were the ball's in the bbl afterwards. It happens to all of us , and if someone shoots a lot and says otherwise,well I won't call him a liar but I won't necessarily beleive him.





i

[captkody]

  thanks a lot. the rifle is 1:48 caplock I know that sooner or later i will have to pull a ball. i just don't want it to happen on my first shot!

[William]

o.k. lets get more specific. i will be using 777 powder .490 177 grain patched ball. i just don't want to use the ball puller right away. i know somewhere down the line i will be using it . i just don't want it to be my first shoot. i will be shooting at any legal deer that crosses my path.

Triple 7 being 15% more energetic than the same amount of black powder, you should start with 45 grains, shooting three, swabing with an alcohol pad after every shot and increasing by 5 grain increments until you find the sweet spot.

[captkody]

I know that it's all a learning process. I'll just have to find out what work for my rifle

[flintboomer]

Since you are planning to use 777, not all guns go off well with regular percussion caps and 777. Try both regular and magnum caps.
777 is not recommended for flinters.
777 is also the only fake black powder I would use. The other "replacements" all have some serious disadvantages.

If you do get a ball down without powder just take the nipple out and trickle in some 4f or 3f powder (someone should have the real thing.) screw the nipple back in, cap and fire it out into the dirt, or else get someone to blow it out with a CO2 discharger.

By the way, half the fun of using muzzleloaders is finding out what each one likes. 

[William]

I know that it's all a learning process. I'll just have to find out what work for my rifle

That's most of the fun when it comes to muzzleloading.

Forgot to add that I second that on using magnum caps with T-7.

[Rocky]

I like what I am reading, I think there is hope for me yet. Although I am a die hard pyrodex user, I found I couldn't get accuracy with patched round balls. I know there are more things I coulda tried, but I spent a huge amount of time experimenting, with help from experienced BP shooters. It was suggested that I try it, some one gave me some on the spot, and within a short time found a decent load for rb. I was introduced to maxi balls and at that point I found a suitable spread at 100 yards. haven't changed anything since.