Hottest and Most Consistent BP/Substitute

[Gripmaker]

OK Soot Nerds (let's face it, that's what we are and derned proud of it), I need some more advice/expertise/scholarly input. I am very much interested in doing some medium to long range shooting with my 66 Winchester repro using the typical .427/200gr. bullet (don't laugh, I am inclined to attempt the impossible and dearly love to prove others wrong in their Old Wives' tales). The problem I have is that I don't have the time to test any and all BP or substitutes before my next shoot and need to know which is the most powerful (for distance) yet the most consistent (for accuracy). With that info, I will have the time and can make up some loads to test for the shoot.

OK, Driftwood and others, what is my best choice?

[Tensleep]

Triple 777, no doubt about it.

[River City John]

Triple 7 for sure.

[sundance44`s]

I would have to say from my testing 30 and 34 gr loads  Pyrodex P in my 45 cases with a pan lubed cast 255 gr bullet has been my favorite with the subs , and I do a lot of small target shooting .Every shot feels the same shoots the same and taste the same ...lol
But then again I like the smell and taste of my Goex loads the best .

[BobinIL]

777 is about 15% hotter than all other BP subs.  I use 19.5 grns by weight under a 200grn bullet in 45schofield cases and get 810fps out of a 4 5/8" pistol and 925fps out of a 20" rifle.  I use a Prochrono chronograph.  With 20grns by weight of APP I only get 675fps out of my pistols.  There is a good weight to volume conversion shart on Capt. Baylors site.  I usually just fill the cast until the bullet touches the powder with very slight compression and then weigh the charge to set my powder measure.  I weigh one out of about every 10 loads to make sure things are still flowing good.

[Howdy Doody]

I love 777 in 38-55 and 45-70. The only sub I use any more. For CAS matches though, I don't use a sub.

[Grapeshot]

Triple Seven, hands down for a powerful load and very accurate.

I got myself in some hot water a couple of months agt by loading 777 like I would for a regular BP charge.  I was using a HARD cast RCBS 205 grain cowboy bullet and actually dimpled a steel target.  The steel buffalo had a very tight group of .44 caliber craters.  As soon as I can get with their match director and staff, I'm going to replace that Buffalo.

At long range, The Buffalo wouldn't have any problem being hit with my load, but at under fifty feet, it got tore up.

[Steel Horse Bailey]

Sounds like seriously soft (read: cheap) steel.  And probably what they could afford at the time!  (NOT a criticism! Just an observation) 

[Marshal Tac]

I think that the 777 fans are correct. It is hotter and I have been using it for about 3 years now and have found it to be extremely consistant. You won't be disappointed.

[Gripmaker]

Thank you Gentlemen for your observations. I have three #s left of 777 after loading shotgun shells which BTW is NOT the powder to use full house in 12 Ga. From the observations made here, I think I will switch to APP for shot shells and 777 for longrange 44-40.

[Tensleep]

I like 777 fine for my cartridge loads but APP is my choice for shotshells.

777 is really HOT for shotshell square loads.

[Cincy Slim]

I been using 28 Gr. ( by volume ) Triple Seven, .060 card wads, cheap generic 250 Gr. .452 RNFP gunshop bullets (with regular lube) in .45 "long" Colt brass in my SAA clones and Conversion cylinder C&B pistolas. I run a wet patch down the bore every couple of cylinders full.

No problemo, good accuracy, lots of smoke and enough recoil to keep it interesting.

This combo is 100% charge density with no compression. I seat the slug just a little deeper to fit in short R&D 1860 Army .45 Colt conversion cylinders and use a Lee factory crimp die.

I've tried leaving out the card wad and it still works fine but the bore gets nasty quicker when using the cheap smokless power lubed bullets

You can use a thin lubed "Wonder Wad" in place of the card and pretty much shoot all day but that makes the price per round jump considerably!

Slm