777 and APP are a little easier to get out of the bore with nothing but plain tap water than either Pyrodex or real black powder. However, I found that I can shoot all afternoon with Pyrodex without having to swab between shots. I have not tried this with 777 or APP, but their manufacturers claim the same capability. With real BP, I can usually get two or three shots off without having to swab the barrel before fouling gets too bad to let me get the bullet all the way down on the powder charge.

Real black powder leaves a greater amount of fouling in the bore than any of the substitutes I have used. But some black powders foul less than others. FFFg generally burns cleaner than FFg, and the Swiss stuff is a little cleaner burning than GOEX.