HuntingNet.com Forums

HuntingNet.com Forums (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/)
-   Black Powder (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder-23/)
-   -   pellets vs. loose powder? (https://www.huntingnet.com/forum/black-powder/105600-pellets-vs-loose-powder.html)

NVMIKE 07-14-2005 11:11 PM

pellets vs. loose powder?
 
I'm pretty new to this M.L. thing in particular , but not shooting in general. I was wondering if you get a more consistent charge w/ pellets(factory measure)or w/ loose powder(your own measure)? Does consistency vary from manf. to manf? Is one brand of pellets more likely to be off than any of the others?As consistency means accuracy, this would be pretty vital to hunting. Also I heard that there is a new powder out that smokes less and you can shoot hundreds of shots between cleaning. I think Jim Shockey was useing it. Any truth to this? If so what are your personal experiences w/ it as accuracy goes? By the way for any who have followed my progress w/ the M.L. lately, I hit a gallon jug of water w/ one shot at 200yds w/ my new winchester X-150 today. My son can already hit at 100yds, looks good for his elk hunt in OCT.:D

Mark whiz 07-14-2005 11:19 PM

RE: pellets vs. loose powder?
 
I always found that loose powders shoot better for me than pellets. But that may just be my gun too, since it seems to like odd loads at times. Loose does allow you to customize the load exactly where you want it, which can only help accuracy. Once you learn to measure your load consistantly, the groups just seem to happen, at least for me anyway

rick_reno 07-14-2005 11:19 PM

RE: pellets vs. loose powder?
 
I've only used powder, the pellets are pretty expensive. I can imagine with my powder measure I'm not getting exactly the same load shot to shot, but it doesn't seem to make much difference. I've always assumed pellets are more consistent. I've seen this discussion come up here before - try a search and you'll save the folks that know some typing time.

NVMIKE 07-15-2005 12:02 AM

RE: pellets vs. loose powder?
 
Mark Whiz - what your saying is that the consistent load (EXACTLY 100grains or EXACTLY 125gr each time)has more to do w/ it than the actual powder charge, be it 100gr, 125gr, 150gr.

skeeter 7MM 07-15-2005 01:46 AM

RE: pellets vs. loose powder?
 
Mike consistency is very important but equally important is find the right charge for the projectile, gun and hunting situation. With pellet form you are somewhat limited in the charges you can produce being they come in 30 and 50 grain pellets. However with loose you can tweak it further, most tweak in 5 grs. So when developing a load you want to make sure all the areas are addressed to find the best solution for your hunt. Just like chossing you CF load, you will look at accuracy, bullet construction (game performance) and how it fairs at your intended ranges (which includes accuracy and ballistic characteristics).Essentially how this relates to what powder form you may choose is really based on how your gun performs to reach the criteria set forth. Some will find 95 or 105 grains of powder shoots vastly different than 90, 100 or 110 in their particular rifle. Meanwhile other may find it makes little to no difference. Also some guys are happy hitting a X size group while other are trying to eak everysmall improvementout of their rifles.

Many loose shooters feel more in control with measuring their own. As well many also like the cheaper investment with loose. On the flip side just as many others are all to happy to pay for the convienance factor afforded by pelletized powder.

Boils down to what ever works for you personally..no right or wrong as each have benefits.

I have used both and it hasn't made a difference to the animals I have harvested. BTW I am using loose 777 only b/c it performs best at this point.

Best of luck.

cayugad 07-15-2005 06:39 AM

RE: pellets vs. loose powder?
 

ORIGINAL: NVMIKE

I'm pretty new to this M.L. thing in particular , but not shooting in general. I was wondering if you get a more consistent charge w/ pellets(factory measure)or w/ loose powder(your own measure)? Does consistency vary from manf. to manf? Is one brand of pellets more likely to be off than any of the others?As consistency means accuracy, this would be pretty vital to hunting. Also I heard that there is a new powder out that smokes less and you can shoot hundreds of shots between cleaning. I think Jim Shockey was useing it. Any truth to this? If so what are your personal experiences w/ it as accuracy goes? By the way for any who have followed my progress w/ the M.L. lately, I hit a gallon jug of water w/ one shot at 200yds w/ my new winchester X-150 today. My son can already hit at 100yds, looks good for his elk hunt in OCT.:D
Jim Shockey is a paid endorser... never forget that fact. I am not saying that he does not believe in what he is emdprsing, but he hunts (or used to) with a rifle with KNIGHT plastered on the stock, and always makes sure and tells about his favorite brand of POWDER (which I think bares his name now). You don't suspect that he is going to get up there and tell the entire black powder community that the powder he uses is a bunch of junk and he sure wishes he had a new Optima.. At least not until the contracts with the other companiesare filled and the checks get bigger. I always take the advise of these people with a grain of salt. Although he does use a GREAT rifle. I never shot the powder he talks about.

As for pellet consistency, I have heard some real horror stories about the American Pioneer Powder sticks. It seems some of them come out of the bottle with chunks missing off them. Well to me that means they do not weigh the same. Isn't that the reason people go to the pellets in the first place, so the do not have to worry about weighing their powder? I guess if I insisted I use pellets it would be the Triple Se7en brand. After all, if I am going to spend that kind of money, I might as well have the best.

Also I will go on record here. I am not a pellet shooter. I fired approximately three rounds of pellet/projectile combination in my life, and that was because someone else was buying the pellets. I do not need someone to weigh my charge. I would rather do it myself and then I know it is done right. I do not have to worry if the weight if the pellets are equal today. I think I can tune a rifle as good or better with loose powder then pellets. And I have no reason to pay the outrageous price they want for pellets. With the amount I shoot I would be in serious trouble...

Over the years of shooting loose powder I have convinced myself and others that loose powder will produce exceptional accuracy, consistency, and is far more cost effective. When I hunt I carry five plastic 35mm film canisters. In each of the canisters is a pre measured (by volume with a powder measure) charge for the projectile/rifle combinationI am using. Should I need a second shot, the powder charge is an easypop the plastic water tight lid and pour into the muzzle reach away.

Mark whiz 07-15-2005 05:39 PM

RE: pellets vs. loose powder?
 

ORIGINAL: NVMIKE

Mark Whiz - what your saying is that the consistent load (EXACTLY 100grains or EXACTLY 125gr each time)has more to do w/ it than the actual powder charge, be it 100gr, 125gr, 150gr.
What Skeeter said. You have to find the best load for your gun and then learn to reproduce that load with consistency from that point forward.


All times are GMT -8. The time now is 05:01 AM.


Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Use of this site indicates your consent to the Terms of Use.