Anyone loading Triple 7 in cartridges?

[Kelton]

[navydad2010]

I believe the 777 container warns against loading cartridges with the contents.

That said I have friends that do use it and just treat it like Pyrodex and reduce load by 10%...YMMV

I use Pyrodex or Goex BP for all BP loads.

[Kelton]

I have a PDF of a Cowboy Action load data pamphlet from Hodgdon that is no longer on their site. It gives volumetric measures of Triple 7 FFG for several cartridges, including both 32-20 and 45-70.

For 32-20 the recommended load is 18gr volume. My BP measure (the widely available Traditions one) is graduated in 10s of grains, so I eyeballed where 18gr would be. The load came up into the neck. The pamphlet is very clear about not using compressed charges, but a standard 115gr bullet seated would clearly push down on top of the load. I tipped out enough powder to be just below where the base of a seated bullet would be, and re-measured it, and it was about 15gr volume.

It could be that I need to be using a drop tube or other means to get the full 18gr volume into the case. Or maybe the 15gr volume is fine, but I've read that it can settle and create an air gap, which is a no-no.

So that's why I'm looking for someone with experience to make sure I don't mess up one of my guns (or my fingers/face/etc. )


And sure, I would love to load with real BP if I knew where to get any in the SF Bay Area...

[TRAP55]

Try TrailBoss with your 115 cast in the 32/20. It's idiot proof, you can't overload even with a compressed load, and no BP mess to clean out of your rifle. A max pistol load in your rifle won't make sonic, a .22HV will make more noise. Works in any CF cartridge, and no gas checks needed on cast bullets.

[Kelton]

[Eljay]

I've done it. It's kind of a pain because you want to end up with the case exactly full, with no compression but also no air gap, and if you want a reduced load that means adding some filler on top. I ended up deciding it was easier to load some rounds with trail boss (for convenience) and some with real black (for smoke) and just choose which one I wanted for that day. The 777 smoke is fairly anemic anyway.

[Kelton]