I'm kinda new at muzzleloading and I have a couple real basic questions. Sorry if this has been covered to death but....is there any real difference in performance or "dirtiness" between Pyrodex and 777 pellets? I know there are loyal users of both but I never did figure out what it is based on. Both sides say theirs is cleaner that the other one but all black powder seems dirty to me. Any real consensus out there guys?

Also does the brand of primer cap really matter? Don't they all go "bang"?

I currently shoot a CVA Accura .50 cal. and use 2 Pyrodex pellets to shoot 245gr Powerbelts.

Thanks!

Here is a good link describing some of the differences: http://hodgdon.com/tripleseven.html

Here are a few of my personal observations:

Ignition: Pyrodex is easier to get to fire in a sidelock. If you are talking #11 primers, all are not created equal. If I am using 777, I always us CCI magnum primers or musket caps. Musket caps are a LOT more powerful. With 209 primers, pretty much anything will make it go bang, but the weaker primers (ex: 777 primers) will result in less "crud ring" so a lot of people shooting 777 use them.

Accuracy: In my guns, pyrodex has been slightly easier to find an accurate load. Although I have heard people say the opposite, I think most people give a slight accuracy nod to pyrodex. I have always been able to find an accurate load with 777, but it usually takes more experimentation.

Power/velocity: In loose form, 777 is 15% more powerful than pyrodex. Pellets though are made to be equal unless you use the 777 magnum pellets.

I believe that 777 has the sulfur taken out. Less smell and slightly less corrosive. I don't worry so much if I can't clean a gun shot with 777 until the next day.

Crud ring: Although 777 has had more bad press about a "crud ring", I find that both of them make one where the powder/bullet sits, making it harder to load subsequent shots without swabbing.

Cleanup: I give a slight edge to 777 in that it really does clean up well with just water. However, anytime you use water to clean a firearm, you need to finish by pouring boiling water through the barrel so the hot water will evaportate quickly, then run dry patches and something for corrosion protection through the barrel (remoil etc).

I use Pyrodex in any thing I can not use Blackhorn in. So far as I know no one can say what causes the differences in crud ring but I live in the hot humid south and right at about sea level and I get it so bad that the gun has to be scrubbed between each shot or its not safe to try and reload it because I can not get the load to seat where as with Pyrodex I can shoot 4 accurate shots and the residue is soft so it is an easy clean. as the fellow above said it is easy by comparison to find a accuracy load for but they are comparable after you find that load.
Now for the other half of the problem, Sabotloader lives in the mountains around 5000 feet above sea level where the air pressure is less and the heat and humidity like we have here is nonexistent and he has little or no problem with 777, so what it comes down to is that pyrodex works for everybody and you will not know what 777 does unless you try it in your circumstances. Blackhorn will work for every body with a good modern TC [ Omega, Triumph, Encore ,Endeavor] and some of the other closed action inlines with good breach plugs. It shoots most accurate if you do Not clean until after you are done shooting.I my guns it shows better accuracy by far than any other powder besides not having to clean between shots.
There are several other powders but the only one of them worth mention is out of production. The others are very weak and attract moisture which makes them erratic.

I've had trouble getting good accuracy with T7 pellets. With T7 loose powder however, I get excellent accuracy. Pyrodex is dirtier than T7 IMO all around. I get somewhat of a crud ring with T7, but it is not too bad. I use T7 primers which produce less of a crud ring than the hotter Federal 209A's. Usually I can load and shoot 5 - 7 shots without swabbing using T7, although accuracy begins to suffer. For me it's not a problem to run a patch down the barrel between shots when on the range.

They are both good powders. If you really want to fine-tune your load, and prolong the life of your powder, I would highly suggest switching to loose powder as opposed to pellets.

Loose powder all the way, throw those over priced pellets out the window. Same with PyroRUST! I swear Pyrodex is the most corrosive thing yet invented. Also PyroRUST doesn't store very well. An opned can will turn into a one pound pellet in not time.

Just my 2 cents worth.

Both powders have their good and their bad points. (like all powders I guess.) Pellets... I use Pyrodex RS pellets when I shoot pellets (which is only when I find them on sale). I get better accuracy with Pyrodex Pellets over Triple Seven pellets. Plus, I purchased two boxes of T-7 pellets and half of one box were duds.

Loose powder: Both work well. I get better accuracy with Pyrodex RS but it is possible to find a load with Triple Seven. You just have to keep looking. I find with Pyrodex I get more consistent accuracy. Now to explain that. I do not get as many fliers with Pyrodex RS and also the groups stay more to the POA from range time to range time in all kinds of weather and temperatures. I've had Triple Seven really make me do some head scratching on a hot day as to what went wrong with the accuracy of the rifle.

Cost: where I live, Pyrodex is a couple bucks cheaper a pound.

Swabbing: I would much rather swab a rifle shooting Pyrodex RS then Triple Seven. The fouling is softer, easier to pick up, and pull out. Granted the patch with Pyrodex is filthy, but that just tells me I pulled a lot of it out. Also I find I can shoot more rounds without swabbing shooting Pyrodex RS. With T-7 I always pay close attention to the swabbing, and slow way down when I get near the crud ring. I have stuck patches in that crud ring. I also have to scrub harder to make them come clean.

Clean up: About the same. I am not sure about everyone else, but my major clean up time on an inline is not so much the barrel. Its the breech plug threads, the bolts, striker, breech plugs, and parts. The barrel normally comes clean. So they are about even for clean up. I might have to run one or more patches down the barrel with Pyrodex. Big Deal!

Power: Triple Seven is more powerful volume measure to volume measure. But that means nothing to me. I adjust volume measures.

Between the two.. I like Pyrodex. Even though it is more corrosive, and you have to clean your rifle that day (which I always do) I still like the stuff.

no pyrodex wont rust you barrel if you actually clean your rifle within a couple days. Its very consistent and very accurate. Most corrosive thing invested? Highly unlikely, i think that poster is just going a little to much over the edge. I've been shooting pyrodex since i was 14 years old and never had any rust problems whatsoever. Lazy cleaners are what causes the rust, even with T7, blackpowder, you name it.

I tried 777 pellets as well as the Pyrodex ones, and I got better accuracy with the Pyrodex. That coupled with the fact that the Pyrodex was cheaper, I just stuck with them.

Never tring 3-7, the biggest difference I seen between the two was 5.00 at my local outlet. I'll stick with the Pyro. when not using BH.