Information on black powder shotgun?

[keith66]

If you are going to shoot clays, i reckon you would be better of with a good replica, mine is an old Navy arms double and it is well made and strong, it will handle anyhing up to heavy non toxic wildfowling loads (not steel) with no worries and i dont worry so much about getting mud on it!
If you get an antique be very sure it is safe to shoot as many of them are getting rather thin!

[Sven828]

I don't know if this stuff is available in the UK, but try looking for a blackpowder substitute called Hodgdon's TRIPLE SE7EN. It's safe for the old 1st generation black powder guns of all makes, it burns cleaner and produces more energy. I use it for all of my black powder replicas and originals, including my bp cartridge guns like the colt navy and army revolvers.

The best thing about this powder is that the residue will come off with little effort. At times I just use water, dry it, then finish off with a light coating of Break Free Clp.(<- my favorite, and supposedly the military's favorite)

[Smokeless Coal]

Hi Sven, yes it is available over here and I have been trying to point it out to the guys on here

http://www.airgunbbs.com/forums/showthread.php?t=196275

Its more expensive but I think the benefits outweigh that.

Its not liked in competitions, some insist on BP only.

One of the good things is you can liquid Alox your projectiles without any fouling problems. BP needs more "natural" lubricants but 777 residues don't mix with Alox and form gum as BP would. Pre coating with Alox gives a drier ball so no greasy mess while loading.

[John Bedford]

Another 'dedicated' 777 user (FFFG for my .44 revolver).

As already said, more poke than 'real' BP so remember to reduce loads if you're going to try it.

[keith66]

Last year a friend of mine got some 777 and used it in an original shotgun with no obvious problems, i was dubious about using it in my 12 bore as the grain size was so small (fffg) on the container were pressure ratings based on CUP (copper units of pressure) it seemed to me to be more a rifle or pistol powder, we could find no pressure data for 777 not even at the proof house, does anyone have any ideas what pressure the stuff actually generates?

[Smokeless Coal]

Hodgdons originaly said it was the same as BP. Tests by shooters in the states showed higher muzzle velocities, Hodgdens changed their recomendations and now say you should reduce charge by 15% to get the same output as BP.

You can get 777 in ffg as well, though perhaps not in the UK yet.