Triple 7 measures for .44 steel and brass frames

brazosdave · September 23, 2012, 06:38 AM

I was wondering, I usually shoot Triple 7, 32 grains in my steel frame 1860, and 22 grains in my brass frame 51. Is this too much, or am I about right. I know it's supposed to be a little bit hotter than some other propellants out there. Any input would be much appreciated!

mykeal · September 23, 2012, 08:23 AM

32 grains/vol of fffg 777 is equivalent to 37 grains/volume fffg real black powder or Pyrodex P.

22 grains/vol of fffg 777 is equivalent to 25 grains/volume fffg real black powder or Pyrodex P.

I'd say you're at the top of the range on the steel framed gun and abusing the brass framed gun. Drop the brass frame load to 17 grains/vol fffg 777.

Hawg · September 23, 2012, 08:57 AM

22 is too much in the brass frame.

brazosdave · September 23, 2012, 09:55 AM

thanks guys, I'll drop the brass frame load to 17, and the steel to 28-30. I am very appreciative that you guys have the knowledge to help me from keeping myself to be my own worst enemy

Gatofeo · September 23, 2012, 10:45 AM

Stop using 777 in the brass frame.
Hodgdon does NOT recommend using its 777 in any brass frame. They're the folks who make it, so they would know.

brazosdave · September 23, 2012, 12:36 PM

that's all I have now. But if the explosive power at a lower range is equal to what the b.p. would be, I don't see how it would make a difference. After all, all the cap and balls I know say "black powder only". Except for some purists that I see on some of the forums I frequent, I don't see anyone doing that. Anybody elses take on trip 7 in a brass frame?

brazosdave · September 23, 2012, 03:51 PM

ok, did some research, and from what I can glean, brassers are ok with 10-12 gr, steel about 17-20. I'll try that next time I go to the range, and as long as it seems to be shooting fine, I guess that's what I'll go by. In the meantime, I thing I will try and find someplace around here that has either real b.p., or I guess pyrodex

mykeal · September 23, 2012, 04:10 PM

I can find no mention (either for or against) of 777 use in brass framed guns on Hodgdon's web site.

Hodgdon does advise using volume measurements only, and advises 777 be reduced by 15% to obtain performance equivalent to specific black powder loads. That is the procedure I used to obtain the recommendations in my post above.

brazosdave · September 23, 2012, 04:38 PM

yup, I couldn't either. I found some old threads on some sights and there was one old boy that had been using between 10-12 in his brass frames for a long time, with no problems. Also saw some recommendations to drop the load in the steel frame to the low 20's. I'm going to try these loadings next time I go to the range, and see how my performance is. If I don't see an issue with it, I'll probably stick with it. I could order pyrodex from Cabelas, but I've heard it gets dirty real quick, and the range at Ft. Hood does not allow you to clean guns on the line, or on the bench behind the safe line when they call an all clear. Kinda don't have a source of soapy water there either, lol!

Hawg · September 23, 2012, 04:45 PM

Powder Inc. is cheaper. You could take a spray bottle of windex and spritz it down when it started to get stiff.

brazosdave · September 23, 2012, 06:14 PM

Thanks Hawg! Another brother here in my area clued me in to a gun shop in Killeen that has pyrodex p. So windex will cut the crud? Never thought of that. I'll have to try it.

Hawg · September 23, 2012, 06:16 PM

Just don't use Windex with ammonia.

B.L.E. · September 23, 2012, 07:14 PM

Windex cleans real black powder residue very well also. I see a lot of the bench rest guys use it to clean between shots.

September 23, 2012, 06:38 AM	#1
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	Triple 7 measures for .44 steel and brass frames I was wondering, I usually shoot Triple 7, 32 grains in my steel frame 1860, and 22 grains in my brass frame 51. Is this too much, or am I about right. I know it's supposed to be a little bit hotter than some other propellants out there. Any input would be much appreciated!

September 23, 2012, 10:45 AM	#5
Gatofeo Senior Member Join Date: October 1, 2004 Location: Remote Utah desert Posts: 224	Stop using 777 in the brass frame. Hodgdon does NOT recommend using its 777 in any brass frame. They're the folks who make it, so they would know. __________________ "And lo, did I see an ugly cat. Smoke. Brimstone. Holes in parchment. And this ugly cat was much amused." --- The Prophesies of Gatodamus (1503 - 1566)

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search

September 23, 2012, 08:23 AM	#2
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	32 grains/vol of fffg 777 is equivalent to 37 grains/volume fffg real black powder or Pyrodex P. 22 grains/vol of fffg 777 is equivalent to 25 grains/volume fffg real black powder or Pyrodex P. I'd say you're at the top of the range on the steel framed gun and abusing the brass framed gun. Drop the brass frame load to 17 grains/vol fffg 777.

September 23, 2012, 08:57 AM	#3
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	22 is too much in the brass frame.

September 23, 2012, 09:55 AM	#4
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	thanks guys, I'll drop the brass frame load to 17, and the steel to 28-30. I am very appreciative that you guys have the knowledge to help me from keeping myself to be my own worst enemy

September 23, 2012, 12:36 PM	#6
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	that's all I have now. But if the explosive power at a lower range is equal to what the b.p. would be, I don't see how it would make a difference. After all, all the cap and balls I know say "black powder only". Except for some purists that I see on some of the forums I frequent, I don't see anyone doing that. Anybody elses take on trip 7 in a brass frame?

September 23, 2012, 03:51 PM	#7
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	ok, did some research, and from what I can glean, brassers are ok with 10-12 gr, steel about 17-20. I'll try that next time I go to the range, and as long as it seems to be shooting fine, I guess that's what I'll go by. In the meantime, I thing I will try and find someplace around here that has either real b.p., or I guess pyrodex

September 23, 2012, 04:10 PM	#8
mykeal Senior Member Join Date: October 8, 2006 Location: Northern Michigan Posts: 2,772	I can find no mention (either for or against) of 777 use in brass framed guns on Hodgdon's web site. Hodgdon does advise using volume measurements only, and advises 777 be reduced by 15% to obtain performance equivalent to specific black powder loads. That is the procedure I used to obtain the recommendations in my post above.

September 23, 2012, 04:38 PM	#9
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	yup, I couldn't either. I found some old threads on some sights and there was one old boy that had been using between 10-12 in his brass frames for a long time, with no problems. Also saw some recommendations to drop the load in the steel frame to the low 20's. I'm going to try these loadings next time I go to the range, and see how my performance is. If I don't see an issue with it, I'll probably stick with it. I could order pyrodex from Cabelas, but I've heard it gets dirty real quick, and the range at Ft. Hood does not allow you to clean guns on the line, or on the bench behind the safe line when they call an all clear. Kinda don't have a source of soapy water there either, lol!

September 23, 2012, 04:45 PM	#10
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Powder Inc. is cheaper. You could take a spray bottle of windex and spritz it down when it started to get stiff.

September 23, 2012, 06:14 PM	#11
brazosdave Senior Member Join Date: September 7, 2012 Location: Crockett, Texas Posts: 363	Thanks Hawg! Another brother here in my area clued me in to a gun shop in Killeen that has pyrodex p. So windex will cut the crud? Never thought of that. I'll have to try it.

September 23, 2012, 06:16 PM	#12
Hawg Senior Member Join Date: September 8, 2007 Location: Mississippi Posts: 16,188	Just don't use Windex with ammonia.

September 23, 2012, 07:14 PM	#13
B.L.E. Senior Member Join Date: December 20, 2008 Location: Somewhere on the Southern shore of Lake Travis, TX Posts: 2,603	Windex cleans real black powder residue very well also. I see a lot of the bench rest guys use it to clean between shots.