- Joined
- Nov 26, 2022
- Messages
- 479
- Reaction score
- 458
I also cannot get T7 to shoot; However, I believe the problem is mine and not T7. I found Triple 7 burns a lot hotter than Pyrodex or BP. It burned up well lubed .020 heavy patches on RBs. That's when I decided to start using a felt wad over the powder. Now, I need to find a lube which can handle the difference in heat. Once I find the lube, I will need to work up a load. I will start by a 30% reduction in volume equivalence and then measure its weight.I use Pyrodex P. Back when I tested T7 I didn't have good luck with it. Looking back I'm pretty sure I know the problem. The paper patched Lee 500S&W bullet doesn't like to be pushed much past 1350 fps. That speed is 80 gr of pyrodex P. I'm sure I was faster with the T7.
I do what I call torture tests. Where I shoot and not clean until I can no longer predict where the bullet will hit. That gives me a baseline of what to expect. With pyrodex P I can shoot at least to 10 shots. With T7 I never felt like the load was consistent enough to even start the test. But there again I did not know the speed of the load I was using
I am going to experiment with T7 until I get it right. The reason is, I believe anything which will improve the efficiency of the powder and give more energy by volume, is well worth the effort. BP and Pyrodex are very inefficient in converting mass to energy and leave behind 50% to 60% of their mass in waste fouling. My understanding is T7 is 90% efficient, leaves little fouling and the energy released is much greater then BP or Pyrodex.
The only information Hodgdon has given me, is the shelf life of T7 when kept in a cool dry area, is endless. According to Hodgdon, T7 doesn't break down or deteriorate on the shelf, when kept dry. I was told T7 is extremely hygroscopic and must be stored correctly.
Idohoron, if you have any ideas which may help find a solution to the problem, I would appreciate it. Thanks