RE: Ok....I am ready
 

Oldrookie:

I would suggest a powder flask of some sort (which you should be able to get at any shop that sells ML stuff).

Pour the Triple 7 from the jug in to the flask and then from the flask in to your "gizmo" - which I am assuming you mean powder measure:)

I personally use a powder horn instead of a powder flask, but whatever works for you.

I find pouring in to a powder measure from a powder flask (horn)to be easier to control than pouring from a powder can or jug. But again, whatever works for you. You can always bring the jug to the range for a quick refill if needed.

NEVER pour directly from the powder jug in to the rifle. Powder jugs are not very good as bottle rockets!

All the best,
~Robert

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

It doesn't. It is worse in my Omega than in my Knight Disc. Really crusty down at the bottom. You will have to see.
Chap

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

Thanks Chap. If thats the case, then I'll go from the spit patch to windex.

RobertSubnet, I appreciate the info. Believe it or not Gander Mtn does not carry the funnel/caps. I'll wait until I have a bigger order to order on line.
I am into "ballparking" but I would never go from the bottle to the muzzle!

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

Oldrookie,
My son has an Optima like yours and I did some testing with 777 2F in it when I first got it for him. The design of the BP tends to cause it to have a bit of crud ring, especially with hotter primers. Even the Rem Kleanbores caused it. I haven't been able to find any Win 777 primers so far but hear they are better on the crud ring issue. I ended up setting him up with Pyro P and it shoots well in it. I haven't tried 777 3F yet, it may be better but won't know till I try it.

Also, in a pinch a spit patch after each shot is usually enough to keep the crud ring at bay in all of my rifles. The windex/alcohol is even better.

Good luck

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

Thanks Dave. I didn't have an issue with the kleenbores but switched to the 777 primers....I won't go back. They do not expand when they get hot and the crud is minimum with them. At least with the pellets. The only powder loose I have purchased is 777 2F. Let me know how things go with the Pyrodex P.

By the way, what bullet does he like best? I shot the 245g powerbelt this past weekend but must say the245g xtp did better. They are tighter to get down the barrel but that is ok.

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

oldrookie, have you tried the TC maxi hunters? my x150 loves them, they load fairly easy.

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

FG, I have not tried the TC's yet.

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

My son'sOptima likes the 250 Shockwaves pretty well. They load with with moderate pressure and don't kik too hard for him on lower powder levels.It does well with anywhere from 80gr to 100gr of Pyro P. Typical groups with me shooting are under 2" at 100 yards, with him (13) groups are under 2" at 50 to 75 yards.Weare still working on his shooting form and he needs more practice with his ML'er but he shoots 22 a lot and does well with that. He has no problemhitting 80% of clay pigeons at 50 yardsusing open sightswith my old 22. I got him his own 22 this year so I could use mine when I want to.

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

I never shot the shockwaves. How did his optima like the powerbelts? Does his optima produce a flyer on the first load? Thats what concerns me the most. If I know where the groups are going to be, I can aim accordingly. When hunting, the first shot is important. My first load can be high right or left and then they will settle in. Thus far, the xtps group pretty well. I am hopeful changing to loose powder will get me dialed in so I can quit screwing around with the scope. Once the scope is done, I need to get off the bench and start shooting shouldered shots and get my technique down.

RE: Ok....I am ready
 

I haven't tried powerbelts in his Optima so I'm not sure how they would do. I just have a hard time justifying $1 bullets when other, more ecconomical bullets with proven track records are out there. With that said, I have shot Powerbelts in some of my other guns and found in one gun the 348HP shot very well at 100gr of 777. I can consistently shoot them into less than 1" at 100 yards with a 5 shot group as long as I do my part. In one of the other guns I was doing good to keep them under 3" at 100 yards. For me, I have gone to hunting mostly with large conicals due to the consistency I getin my primary hunting guns. I do like to experiment with different bullets and powders during the off season just in case I find something that works well in one or more guns.

As far as shifting POI between first and second shots, I always check that after I find a load that shoots well so I can decide if I need to foul the bore before hunting with that load or not. My default fouling shot for hunting is a cleanshot pellet (old stock I bought several years ago but didn't like) with a patch stuffed sabot for resistance. This combo so far has given me enough fouling to provide consistent follow up shot confidence without the higher corrosiveness of using other powders. It also gives me a chance to use up the clean shot pellets that otherwise would go to waste. (Did I mention they were very inconsistent with every bullet I tried them with.) These are the old round ones, not the current square ones.