First shot from a clean 1861 barrel, goodbye 777..

[Rat]

Shot the 777 load out of the 1861 that's been in there since around the first of December. 90 grains under a 456 grain REAL and a wonder-wad. Normally if a load has been in there that long I pull the nipple and check everything out, but I thought a more true-test of the rifle would to be just cap and fire it. "Long Tall Sally" didn't let me down.

Set up on the 75 yard bench and took a very careful shot, as I'm always interested in where the first shot from a clean barrel goes, as that's what I hunt with...a clean barrel...always want to know, if I had taken a shot...would it have been good?

She popped off just like a fresh load, and the slug went a couple of inches higher than I expected. Still would have been well inside the kill zone of a deer, black bear or Elk, would not have over shot an animal by any stretch.

Windage-wise I could have cut a string or playing card...just absolutely dead on.

777 is not bad stuff. I originally got it for my .36 Navy, and thought it was the bee's knees until I figured out there was some velocity variation going on...then I tried Swiss in the revolver and my group shrunk up on me, so I'm sticking with it. Stringing with the 777, nice round group with the Swiss BP.

Tried a full load of 777 in my 1860, but it blew the rammer catch off! Do'H!!! Not using it in THAT anymore!!!

:curse:

So I thought I'd use the 777 in the minnie rifles because it's so clean, but did get a miss-fire in a rifle that has not miss fired in 30 years with BP....and I thought I'd save my Swiss for the flinters. But, I think I'll just get a good supply of Swiss one way or the other and use it exclusively.

Again 777 is not "bad" stuff, and it sure is clean, but I do believe I'll say goodbye to 777, and Swiss will serve me better all things considered.

Rat

 

[Hawkeye]

I concur, I have not tried 777 and as long as I can get the real deal have no use for it. I will continue to shoot GOEX in my cowboy cartridge guns and Swiss in my flinters.

 

[montanadan]

RAT-What are the fouling differences between 777-SWISS? I have used 777, but not Swiss. Is there much velocity difference? I live in WYO. nearest placethat sells Swiss is 180 miles one way, they will not ship. I have read everything I can get my hands about Swiss, but that is not the same as using it. Thanks ..Respectfully Montanadan

 

[Rat]

Swiss fouls a little more than 777, but much less than it's closest rival that I have used, which is Goex. It is very clean burning.

My guess would be that velocity would be about the same for Swiss and 777, as they are both a bit more powerful than Goex.

I'm really sold on Swiss after using it for about a year, and will probably save up and get a whole case, then sell some off, but keep enough for a many years supply.

Again I don't think 777 is "bad", but in my case it's making sense to me to go with much more reliability, and accuracy in my guns, in trade for a tiny bit more fouling.

In other guns, that could be reversed of course.

Rat