Shooting some old Tripple Seven in TC

[Rat Trapper]

Today I shot some Tripple Seven 2F that had been opened for over 2 years. The Rifle was my TC 45 caliber Hawken with CCI #11 standard caps.
Ran chargers from 60 to 80 grains. Shooting 5 shot groups (pretty windy)from the bench at 25 yards. The 60 grain group was 1.136 (4 in .555), 70 grains: .866, and 80 grains .755. The 60 grain load had one shot that was low, and my have been my fault. The 70 & 80 grain groups looked like the wind may have openned them a little? No hang fires, no misfires. The lube was Shenadoah valley patch lube, Ox yoke orginal precut 15 thousands patch and Hornaday .440 ball. I intend to do more testing with the Shenadoah lube. So far it looks promising.

 

[William O.]

That's good, some substitutes, T-7 included, can start to loose some power as soon as the can is opened and this can also lead to ignition problems, glad to see that this isn't the case with you. I think 80 grains of Triple 7 is a bit much for a .45, although not dangerous it may not give the best groups. T-7 is more energetic than traditional black powder so you have to add 15% to how ever much you use to get an equivilent; 80gr.s T-7 = 92 gr.s of Goex, pretty stout and sometimes not accurate. Personally I like Triple 7 but it is too expensive when compared with Goex.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Pyrodex is the powder that loses power over time.

T7 hasn't had that problem. As long as it's left in a sealed container.

 

[Rat Trapper]

I've also got an old bottle of American Pioneer that was given to me. The owner of the local bait/archery shop gave it to me when he went to Blackhorn 209 in his zip gun. I don't think this bottle has ever been openned. I've used American Pioneer powder before. Far from my favorite, but the price was right. In all fairness, I have shot good groups with it.

Often there is too much negative things written about the subs. In my TC rifles they work just fine. Can't say how they will work in some of the cheaper import rifles. I also have a pretty good stash of Goex in both 2F & 3F.

TC has advised me I can run some pretty hot loads of Tripple Seven in my TC Hawken rifles and remain safe. Those heavy loads also drive tacks with conicals.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Shooting groups from a rifle at 25 yards seems to me to be pretty much a waste of powder, lead and time. Anything worthy of being called a rifle will shoot pretty much one hole at such short range. I may fire one or two shots at 25 yards with a new rifle or new sights just to be sure I'll be on the paper at 50 yards but that is where I test and develope loads. Most smoothbores will shoot one ragged hole at 25, 50 is a lot more informative and 100 is more still but requires twice as much of a walk. :haha:

 

[gearheart]

Walk? That is what binoculars are for. They don't even need to be that strong as a 50 cal hole shows up well even with 4x magnification.

 

[CoyoteJoe]

Walk? That is what binoculars are for. They don't even need to be that strong as a 50 cal hole shows up well even with 4x magnification.

What a cheater you are! :haha:

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Walk? That is what binoculars are for. They don't even need to be that strong as a 50 cal hole shows up well even with 4x magnification.

Naw! I have to walk and mark the holes, or i'll forget where I shot.

 

[Rat Trapper]

I was shooting at 25 yards cause the day was too windy to get any kind of decent groups any further.

Don't have to walk to check groups as I have a good spotting scope. No walking needed to paste or change targets either. I start the mule and drive down range. The Mule may not be PC or HC, but it is sure easier. The Mule 610 is also used to haul target frames & targets.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

You do know walking is good for you? :idunno:

It's not something to be avoided.

 

[ebiggs1]

I shoot a lot of 25 yard targets and out to 50 yards. It is advantageous because of my self imposed limit of 50 to 60 and certainly less than 75 yard hunting limit. There is simply no point in shooting any farther.
As to old powders, my TC's seem to digest whatever I put in them. It seems like I am always finding a can of something I used part of and put away.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

My hunting limit is 75 yds too, but at shoots I have to shoot out to 125 yds. I do more practice for those than hunting. So, I walk a lot at the range.

Plus my 5 mile walk in the mountains everyday with my dog.

 

[Rat Trapper]

Walking back in forth from the line to targets will raise your heart beat, that does not improve your shooting. When I was on the Army pistol they did not want us running or anything else before we were to show up for practice. Told us if we wanted to go running or take a walk to do it after we were done shooting at the end of the day.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

I'm not in the Army.

So, i'll walk.

Kind of like when you hunt. :wink:

 

[Stubert]

Get a bigger rifle, My .62 is easy to see the hole.

 

[Pete Gaimari]

Get a bigger rifle, My .62 is easy to see the hole.

Not with my eyes.(eye)

I also like to draw a circle around my shots, so I don't lose track.

Besides liking to walk, and lousy eyesight.

I have no memory. :idunno: