Are people still here using Trple 7?

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Hello the camp

Well I started I SASS in 1994 and went to the Holy Black by 1998 or so. When Triple 7 came out I switched to that because where I live black is hard to find. I really liked it though and I got spoiled. I stopped Cas about 2012., still using Teiple 7.

Well I am starting back up with a 45 Henry 1860 and a couple 1858s with conversion cylinders. Black is impossible to get around here and I really don't have the time to mess with it.
1). Is Triple 7 still readily available?
2). Is there anything else that is as cheap and even better?


ThNks in advance.

[Coffinmaker]

Hey!!  Nice to see ya back Lawman.

I am of two minds (don't bring me into this).  I always try to separate my Personal and Professional opinions.  Personally, I have a huge dislike for 777.  I don't like it nor use it for anything.

A more Professional answer to your question is APP.  American Pioneer Powder.  Suitable substitute (Sears answer when they shipped you the wrong Christmas present).  Easy to use, easy to clean up makes gobs of smoke.  I personally run it thru a Progressive with no problems.  There really isn't much not to like.  Available most everywhere.

Coffinmaker

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Thanks. How is price. When it first came out it was a lot more expensive than Triple 7. Also I know Triple is a little hotter than black.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I remember another thing I liked about 777 is it gives about 30% more velocity than APP for the same weight charge.

[Rowdy Fulcher]

Howdy
Look at your local Wal Mart in the Hunting section .  Our Wal Mart has it marked down to $15 . And yes it is Hotter than APP . It works for me .

[Okefinokee Outlaw]

Black is readily available from various dealers and will be shipped to your door.

[hellgate]

Here in Orygun 777 is readily available @ about $24/lb at BiMart. Another sub which is of about the same power as APP or BP (but less than 777) is Black MZ. At Sportsman's Warehouse they have it priced at $9.99/lb which is about half what everybody else is charging. It smells like APP/Pinnacle/Black Canyon. The Black MZ is a pretty coarse grind about like FFg so it might not flow through a small powder spout but some of the guys around here use it in their C&Bs just fine when shooting in a Plainsman side match. I use it in the shotgun but I will shoot anything in the shotgun that makes a cloud (except 777 which goes into the .357mag rifle). I've never used 777 in the C&Bs.

[ira scott]

I've grown to like APP in the FFFG granulation. Twenty years or so ago when it came out as Pinnacle Powder I think we were using FFG and it seemed like the granulations were very course, irregular sized and it was weak compared to black powder. I think the new APP is much improved and like it a lot in 44 WCF cartridges. I did use 777 in my inline M.L (I apologize), until I tried Blackhorn 209 which is a great propellant, but damn expensive-$39.99  for 10 oz.! None of the subs seem to work as well for me as real black in the 45 70, Old Eynsford being my favorite now.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I may try and see if APP has improved.  When it first came out I chronoed the same charge of it and 777 (23 grains) with a 200 grain bullet in a Schofield case in a 24" 1860 Henry. The 777 gave me about 1125 fps. The APP only gave me 700 fps.

[Rebel Dave]

Like Outlaw said.
Why don't you just order some holy black, and have it shipped to your door. It would be cheaper in my opinion. Graf and sons has good prices on holy black. their would be a hazmat fee, but if you buy enough, it would be worth it. Just my .02.

I have about 5 bottles of tri-7, and would like to get rid of it, I don't like it.

Rebel Dave

[Noz]

I bought 1 bottle of 777 when it first came out. Used half and sold the rest.  I'm a bit casual when I clean my guns after shooting. I treated the 777 guns the same as I would real black and they rusted badly.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

Maybe just me but I love 777.   A little Balistol, Murphys oil soap, and water and never had rust and cleaned easily. Windex (without ammonia) works good too. I have 3 ponds FFFG 777, 1100 large pistol magnum primers and 500 Schofield brass. I just need lead.

I don't like BP and brass. 777 I throw a n some water with Simple Green and it is good as new. I'm too old and lazy to shoot real BP any more.

[Cliff Fendley]

I'm really having a hard time understanding that. I have shot 777 and still do in my modern muzzleloader with plastic sabots.

777 makes a hard grey crud and yes the murphy's formula cleans it up nicely but with black powder I just use some water and it wipes clean. Then a dash of Ballistol and done.

I think real black is actually easier.

I decap my brass and throw it in a jug of water to clean. I always wet tumble my brass before reloading anyway so it comes out clean as if I had smokeless shot in it.

[Tuolumne Lawman]

I had a senior mind f@rt.  My cleaner mixture was 1/3 water, 1/3 alcohol, and 1/3 Murphy's oil soap,  THEN I used Ballistol to lube it.  The last few times I shot Triple 7, though, I just used Windex without ammonia, then lubed with Ballistol.  The brass I rinsed in water with Simple Green in it, then rinsed in hot water.

I seem to remember that Kaboom spray cleaner that you use on copper, cleans the tarnish off of the brass, even on BP.

[Colt Fanning]

Howdy,
I use 777 2f for most of my black powder shooting in revolvers and rifles.  I reduce the charge by about 15% relative to the black powder load.  I can shoot six stages without cleaning and do final cleaning with soap and water followed by balistol. I don't use 3f at all as it is too hot for my needs.
Regards
Colt

[hellgate]

I use 777 in the 357 mag rifle. I use nickeled brass in case I can't get to cleaning them in a timely manner. I was unable to find a BP load for the rifle that bot shot accurately, fed reliably and didn't foul the barrel. The Snakebite bullet was tried and hickupped. One BP load would shoot into 1.5"@50yds but I needed a wet pull through between stages which led to soiled shirt sleves. The other load would shoot all day but would barely stay inside 6"@50 yds. The 15gr of FFF size 777 groups into 1.5", feeds reliably and will shoot all day w/o fouling. A moose milk soapy pull through cleans it right up.

[Cliff Fendley]

I had a senior mind f@rt.  My cleaner mixture was 1/3 water, 1/3 alcohol, and 1/3 Murphy's oil soap,  THEN I used Ballistol to lube it.  The last few times I shot Triple 7, though, I just used Windex without ammonia, then lubed with Ballistol.  The brass I rinsed in water with Simple Green in it, then rinsed in hot water.

I seem to remember that Kaboom spray cleaner that you use on copper, cleans the tarnish off of the brass, even on BP.

Pretty much the same here.
My mix was almost the same. I used to use 1/3 murphy's 1/3 alcohol and 1/3 hydrogen peroxide. Now I just use windex or water and follow up with ballistol.

[Dick Dastardly]

Not all black powder is the same.  Long time ago I shot some LIDU.  The stuff was dirty as sin, fouled quickly and was not easy to clean up.  Once I switched to Moosemilk, 1 part Ballistol to 10 parts water, my gun cleaning got a lot easier.  But the LIDU powder was still the worst I've ever used as pertains to cleaning.

Then, I switched to Schuetzen and my guns didn't foul out any more.  Clean up was a snap with a spritz of Moosemilk and a tug of the Bore Snake.

For my long range shooting with my 38-55s and 45-70 I use Old Einsford or Swiss.  Both are excellent with the edge going to Swiss for the lack of fouling.  Again, a spritz of Moosemilk and a tug of the Bore Snake and done.  The Moosemilk leaves behind a thin film of rust protecting Ballistol lube.  Rust has never been a problem with this method.

For main match SASS matches I never clean between stages and I seldom clean between days at annual matches.  My guns easily maintain accuracy and function.  Many times I shoot clean.

So, for uncomplicated and enjoyable shooting with black powder guns you can't beat the Genuine Powder.  Moosemilk and a Bore Snake ease the cleanup/bore lube/rust protection with no concern for rust.  Frequently days or even weeks may pass between shooting and cleaning.  My guns continue to run very well.

Nothing wrong with the bp subs, but for that genuine Old West aroma, flash and boom you can't beat the Genuine Powder.

DD-MDA

[Mogorilla]

For the most part I use 777, as it is easy to come by in the area and I now have nearly 7 lbs of it.  I do have black powder, but save it for my dueling pistol, as I am down to a pound of it, and you never know when you have to defend your honor.  ha!   I find clean up to me about equal, but I am not loading cartridges, other than shotgun, I strictly fire cap and ball, my Henry I am lazy and just buy the .44-40.

[Pappy Myles]

Still using 777 because I have been given about 6 lbs of the stuff.  And here's a shameful plug, I use several different Big Lub bullets with SPG for 45 colt, schofield, 44-40, 38 spl, 45-70 and 38-55.  Also 12 and 20 ga with magtech brass shotshell.

Cleans up easily with a couple squirts of Windex with vinegar, dried with several runs with a dry patch, and light rub down with hoppies gun oil.