loose powder or pellets
 

hey guys
i was woundering if you guys could help me out i've debating on going to pellets. i've tried both but i can't really tell which one perfrom better.
I shoot 100 grns with a 240 grns sabots out of my traditions .50 cal inline.




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RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Loose powder without question. There are a couple reasons. First the loose powder is much more cost effective. Pellets are expensive especially if you do a lot of shooting like many of us.

The other thing is, it is hard to fine tune your rifle with pellets. For instance, I have a Black Diamond XR and when I shoot the Hornady XTP's it likes 110 grains of powder. So now I would have to remember to have two 30 grain pellets and one 50 grain pellet, or I can pour my loose into a clear see through measure, cut the top of the charge with the built in funnel and pour.

I have a CVA like likes 80+ grains of Triple Se7en. I set the measure just over the 80 grain mark and it shoots fantastic.

The other reason is I think loose powder ignites better then pellets. You have to put your pellets in a certain way, and make sure they do not clunk around and break up a little in your hunting sack. I just pour loose powder charges into plastic film canisters when I hunt and carry four of them.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

I never used or bought pellets until I got my Knight Disc a few years ago.I use the pellets strictly for hunting.I'll use pellets making sure it's still sighted in of course using my same hunting load..
Cayugad is correct on his comments. Using loose powder is allot more cost efficent to use.It is easier to fine tune your load using loose powder.My main reason using the pellets is the convenience.The little shooting I get to do, I don't mind the extra I'm paying for the pellets.If I could start shooting regularly again the Loose BP would be used.In my Traditional ML's nothing but 3Fg has ever gone down the barrel.
Ruger Redhawk

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

I'm not a pellet shooter, but generally speaking, pellets are more target-consistent because their "per pellet" weight and volume is again generally more exact.

The more exact you are -- the better you shoot muzzleloaders. Weigh your bullets then put them into table groups to be more exact... seat you bullet with exact pressure every time..... squeeze the trigger & exhale & hold your breath with the same finger/lung pressure.... etc... etc.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Pellets are more weight & volume consistent than brass powder measures housing loose powder & those brass powder measures (5-120 grains) are what most shooters use when pouring their favorite powder/powder substitute out of the jug.

Having said that, I shoot loose powder 100% of the time. Pellets are 1/3rd more at the cash register than loose powder & I can afford to buy them, but I'm afraid that once I buy the first box of 100, I'll be hooked. Also, since I use 110 grains 777 loose, that means I need (2) 50-grain 777 pellets and (1) 30-grain pellet 777 to match the velocity/energy of 777 loose powder.... which is 15% more powerful than 777 pellets.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

I have used both and really what ever works I say go with it. Personally for hunting I like the idea of pellets, especially when you consider how nasty it can be in these parts come October. I have been lucky that 100gr. pyrodex with 240XTP's provides me with excellent results, as such I use loose to practice with and switch to pellets right before season. It hasn't caused me any problems and is much easier on the pocket.

This year I am going to try loose T7 and if it goes well I will be back to carry a measurer. I wouldn't bother with T7 pellets for reasons mentioned already.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

thanks guys

you guys have help me out alot i'm going to the store the next time and i will pick up some more loose powder. one more question what is so great about triple 7?



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RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Triple Se7en is a dream to clean. Simple water, a little scrubbing, and it comes right out. You also get more shots per pound because it is 15% stronger then Pyrodex or Black Powder. There is less stink when you shoot it in my opinion. I feel is ignites excellent, even with the #11 primers in the sidelocks and the Knight Wolverine.

There are some disadvantages too. Besides the extra cost, some people experience the dreaded crud ring. I personally swab between shots and do not shoot magnum loads and crud build up has never really been a problem. I was also told it like to attract moisture but again, I have never seen this as a problem. It sure can not be as bad as the old Clean Shot.

Some rifles like it, some rifles hate the stuff. I have two sidelocks that do not seem to like it, yet they shoot excellent with Pyrodex P. My inlines seem to like Triple Se7en without doubt. Although they shoot with Pyrodex as well.

The best thing you can do is give it a try. If your shooting in lines be sure and check your breech plug after so many shots to make sure it is still moving.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

i shoot tripple seven pellets and i love them ive never tried loose powder before but im happy with the pellets my traditions lightening shoots dead on with the pellets i use to just shoot regular pyrodex pellets then this year i tried the tripple seven and it is truley easy to clean the old stuff took solvents and this new stuff just takes water and it dosent smell as bad as the other stuff

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

I started with loose powder and now shoot pellets. I will probably never switch back.
As stated earlier the shot to shot consistency is, with my experience, is a lot better. Just seems like less can go wrong, no granules of powder getting blown away changing my charge, etc.
The drawback is, your gun had better like either 100gr or 150gr with your given bullet, because there is not as much control like w/ loose powder.
But my Encore loves 150gr of Pyro pellets and those 200gr Shockwave bullets.:D

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Cleaning, less smoke, no sulfur smell and more velocity with less powder. I have also heard some say less hangfires due to the ignition of 777, although personally I don't have problems with pyrodex in either loose or pellet form. If you want to try 777 buy loose powder vs pellets, as mention the pellet form is down graded(diluted) by the factory by 15% for safety reasons. Meaning if you shoot 100 gr pellets of pyrodex and do the same with 777 pellets they are equal - you'll gain nothing in velocity but the benefits of easier cleaning, less smoke and smell will apply. Personally for me it isn't worth the extra to save a few minutes at the cleaning station.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

I won't buy pellets again. They shot ok. That wasn't the issue. I was doing alot of bullet test yesterday with my older inline. I cut my groups consistently by 50% by shooting 95gr of pyrodex instead of 2 50gr pellets. Also much better groups than 100gr of pyrodex. For 100 yard shots, you can really dial your gun in with pryodex which is hard to do with pellets.

They are so much more expensive also. And it really isn't that big of a deal to measure out your powder.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

I am a bit of a newbie, a few years and a 100 shots or so. I have been using the Pyrodex pellets and like them for ease of use. Can't even find 777 pellets around here in Connecticut, I have tried. any way with 30 & 50 grain pellets you have quite a few options, 60, 80, 90, 100, 110, 120, 130,140, 150. I mean how close do you need to be???

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Striper Phil,

I usually pick up my Triple 7 powder at Gander Mountain or at the local Gun shop. There is a Gander Mountain in lower NY, which is probably the closest to Conn.. Wally World sometimes have sold it but they are expensive. You could possibly order it from Cabela's?

Good luck.

T

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Striper Phil. 5grains can mean the differce of 4" groups at 50 yards and 2.5" at 50 yards. Its all in what you expect and want. and need.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Thanks, Tomster & Big country, I guess to neophytes like me 2.5" & 4" groups are the same since they bolth kill. I am really not into competition shooting so my treashold level of acceptance of accuracy is pretty low. Keep those bullseyes comming. Bsides my grouping or lack there of is greater than 2.5 - 4" difference just from lousy shooting. Thanks again Phil

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

You sound like a hunter striper Phil. As opposed to me, I have figured out and embraced the fact that I love the preparation of hunting a whole lot better than the actual act. Your a lucky man.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

I like loose 777 in my Knight.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

i shoot pellets for convenience. although do i know that loose is a better buy and allows for more accurate loads.

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Ok here are the stats. There are 15.3 grains per gram or 6946 grains per pound divided by 100 grain loads you get 70 loads for round numbers $25 a pound or 34 cents per 100 grain load for loose 777. 777 pellets are $27 for 100, 50 grain pellets or 54 cents a 100 grain load.

Just noticed 2 more posts for 500 club wonder if this edit counts here goes

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

HI 499

RE: loose powder or pellets
 

Hi again 500