RE: How much powder to use?
 

Yep, find your patches after you shoot...If you are having trouble, take a tarp and spread it in front of your muzzle about 10-15 steps out...When you find them, take a good look, they should be able to be used again...Posta picture of a few and I'll tell you what's going on...

RE: How much powder to use?
 

I have a 50 cal CVA Mountain Stalker and the only time I had ignition trouble is when I tried the 777 powder. Pyrodex was fine and I found that the Goex brand of real black powder worked the best for me. 85g of 777 is equal to 100 grains of Pyrodex or Goex if you are measuring by volume. As was mentioned before that is a very stout load. I get my best accuracy with a .490 ball, .015 patch and 85g of Goex. Once you get the ignition problem solved and get a tighter patch for the .490 ball try shooting 5 shot groups while varying the powder charge up and down in 5g increments. You will find a "sweet spot" where you get your best groups.

Getting there is half the fun,

Bob

RE: How much powder to use?
 

Another vote here for the real stuff, the holy black, if you can get it. I use 90 grains of FFg behind my .50 cal rbs in a Lyman GPR flint gun with 0.010" patches. Shoots right where it's pointed at 50 yards. I don't shoot past that with RBs.
I have Pyrodex on hand as well as 777. Don't use them often. BP outshoots them - rifle, pistol, shotgun.
Pete

RE: How much powder to use?
 

That rifling twist will not stabilize conicals. You will be using round balls or perhaps ballets.

In my 50 flinter(1:66", 39.5" OAL), I used 70 grains of Swiss 3F, a .495 ball and .015 moose milked patch.

In my 54 percussion (1:48", 28" OAL), I use 110 grains of Goex 3F, a 535 round ball and .015 moose milked patch.

RE: How much powder to use?
 

Where do I get the Goex?

RE: How much powder to use?
 

I buy straight from the local distributor, they are about an hour away...

The Bass Pro in Charlotte carries it as well as some Gander Mountains...

You may also have an independent sporting goods store locally that carries it as well...

RE: How much powder to use?
 

Just about everything the boys have said and then some. Synthetic BP and sidelocks do not work well together. Now as to 777 take that to the tenth power. 777 needs a hotter ignition to fire right. I learned that becauseI was very pig headed and had to try it myself. Big waist of money!!! If you can't find any, try some Goex Pinnacle or Pyrodex RS. They should work much better with the musket caps. And use Dave's method of tilting the rifle to the side and hitting it with the flat of your hand to get the powder in the bolster and get closer to the nipple area.

Now as to a good hunting sidelock I would replace the nipple with a musket nipple and also go the the darkside (Black Powder). Don't live in your area, but I am sure you will find some somewhere in your area. Do you have any N-SSA guys in your gun or hunt club? They have to use the stuff in their matches.

Now as to the best part, testing for a good hunting load. This is the best part. In my .50 I have an InvestArms and it likes the .490 ball and a .015 patch. That works well in my gun. But as with everything to do with shooting and guns, each is definitely an individual and you will have to find out what it likes.

The rest is up to you and oh yeah, make sure you have a lot of fun doing it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Good luck with that tag. ;)

RE: How much powder to use?
 

Alrighty well heres the results from this morning...kind of depressing! haha

ok well I didnt even bother shooting past 25 yards because as you can see...my groupings are horrible even there.

I am not having any problems with the T7 lighting...just that the cap doesnt always go off. Seems like sometime the first strike just sets the cap then the second torches it off.

If I had the money I would be downright tempted to go down to Bi-mart and pick up the BigHorn for $250 but I would really love to get this thing shooting. But it just doesnt seem to want to with what I have tried so far. It seems like even with what I am using...I would atleast get some decent groups and not like these.

Oh, and the gun was in one of those handy dandy bench rests that even has a strap to hold it in place even better. This way I know its not shooter error...

I also shot many with 85 grains earlier this week and no better results than these. I am new to this and dont really know what I should do now. I figured I would atleast get better patterns than this...





And Here are some of my patches or whats left of them...that I could find.





THANKS!

BHB

RE: How much powder to use?
 

Yep, patches are burning through...You will never have good groups until yourpatches look like you can use them again...

Now, you have learned what not to do, fix it...:D

Go get some real black powder, Pyrodex will work, but I am partial...

Go to thicker patches...Also, what was your lube???

With Pyrodex or Goex and about 75-80grs, and thicker, properly lubed patches your groups will shrink...

If they don't, I have more suggestions, but let's just keep it simple and fun for now...

RE: How much powder to use?
 

:D:D:DHey Bullet Hole, with patches that end up like that it's a wonder you're hitting that paper plate at all. :D:D

Seriously, you're giving up on that gun too early.As nchawkeye said earlier, your shotpatches should look like you could almost use them again. You definitely need to change your patch material. You need a tight weave pure cotton or linen. Do try some pillow tick from your local fabric store. Just get ahalf-yard for a test.If you have some old jeans laying around in back of the closet, try some denim also. It may be tight loading for the first few inches, but will likely shoot well.

The cap failure problem is clearly a nipple issue. Replace that sucker, or take it out and chuck the threaded portionin a drill. Run the drill slowly and hold a file or some emery paper wrapped around a flat stick against the cone where the cap sits toreduce itsdiameter. The very top of the nipple's conehas probably been flared and flattened a little from dry firing. That's likely what's causing your problem.