Triple Se7en

[Capt Clancey Mitarwan]

Greetings. As I prepare to load up some 45 Colt with Triple Seven for the first time, I have read what I can find on it in cartridges. The only real question I have is on lube, especially over a long period. Is it a better idea to simply lube with a BP concoction, or is the lube already on most bullets trouble free?

[hellgate]

Any lube will do, thankfully. What you will find is if you load right up to the base of the bullet the load is gonna be STOUT! You may want to consider APP/Shockey's Gold or some BP equivalent which will be a softer load or even use a filler such as a fiber wad or cream of wheat. The 777 is more powerful than BP. I use it in my .357mag rifle loads but prefer real black in the revolvers for a softer "full load". I use a 158gr bullet home cast and lubed with beeswax & deer tallow even mix but I have shot thousands of 777 rounds with whatever commercial hard lube the casting company put on them.

[Capt Clancey Mitarwan]

Thank you very much for that concise reply. Everything I've read seems to confirm it's potent stuff. I bought it since it's readily available, but I'll see if I can find your other recommendations.

[hellgate]

The other two powders use standard lubes too. Pyrodex needs a BP lube and is only slightly less fouling but maybe even more corrosive than real BP.

[Coffinmaker]

Just to chip in, APP can be used with NO lube at all.  It generates it's own lubrication.  However, don't let the residue dry out and harden in the moving parts.
Pyrodex is Very corrosive.  777 generates a lot of wallop.  For 777 I'd suggest using Cowboy 45 Special cases. 

Coffinmaker

[hellgate]

I forgot to add that APP, Shockey's Gold, T7, are all pretty corrosive to brass compared to steel. I soak my brass after a shoot, rinse, dry, then tumble.

[Capt Clancey Mitarwan]

I forgot to add that APP, Shockey's Gold, T7, are all pretty corrosive to brass compared to steel. I soak my brass after a shoot, rinse, dry, then tumble.

That's good to know. While I've loaded Holy Black in cartridges, I was curious how the substitutes effect brass. I think I'll just continue throwing them straight into some soapy water from the unloading bench.

[Pony Racer]

CCM, sorry Coast Guard has been keeping me busy...

I have never used 777 but from what I heave learned from other shooters locally - they would agree with the above.

I did shoot APP for a few years - I preferred using BP lube with mine. I tried lubeless in pistols with no issues but in rifle the fouling got crusty in barrel during just a monthly 6 stage match.

Some folks have had issue with BP lube and APP but I never had any issue. Not sure if it mattered or not - but I do a goodly roll crimp and maybe that helped my experience.

Shoot straight and keep that powder dry my friend!

Mike aka PR

[Noz]

I loaded some shotgun shells with 777 a few years back.  Put the shotgun in its case and got it out a couple of days later to clean. The outside surface was rusted 4" back from the muzzle. I sold the remaining stuff to a hunter.

[Bruce W Sims]

Quick question on the subject......

Are there any dependable ways of rating the performance of various powders that anyone
has found effective? What I mean is that I hear a lot of adjectives used to characterize
how a gun feels with a particular load and---meaning no offense to anyone -- these descriptions
aren't very "scientific" if you know what I mean. 

I had thought to find some area - say a long expanse of sandy lake beach and mount my pistol
in some sort of rig at point blank and simply measure to where the ball hits the sand, comparing
changes in load, powder and so forth. Anyone have any thoughts on this?

Best Wishes,

Bruce