.45 cal rifle and pyrodex p load questions

[Smj66]

I have a .45 cal knight Mountaineer that l have a used t7 ffg for shooting. I have read several threads about pyrodex p being a great option for this caliber. I typically shoot 385 grain no excuses conicals or 350 grain lead conicals with 80 to 90 grains of t7 ffg. Has anyone been shooting heavier grain lead conicals with pyrodex p or t7 fffg and if so how many grains of powder are you using? Also what would be the maximum safe amount of powder in this gun with pyrodex p and t7 fffg? Thanks for any responses.

 

[edmehlig]

I use to shoot 90gr of P with a 465gr conicals with my 45 cal White ML’s. I would start off with 75 and work you way up to see what gives you the best accuracy.

 

[toytruck]

I use a 488 gr. Bullshop conical in my White .451 Super 91 with 80gr. T 7 3fg.
I will never use pyrodex in a muzzleloader, too corrosive.
Don't know what the max load is in your Knight. Might check the owner manual.

 

[GM54-120]

The max load has nothing to do with the rifle strength. You will reach a point that accuracy just goes to hell long before you reach a max safe load. The barrel itself will easily handle 120gr of Pyrodex and a 460gr bullet but its probably gunna pattern like a shotgun and start leading your barrel.

 

[Smj66]

I doubt l would ever go over 100 grains

The max load has nothing to do with the rifle strength. You will reach a point that accuracy just goes to hell long before you reach a max safe load. The barrel itself will easily handle 120gr of Pyrodex and a 460gr bullet but its probably gunna pattern like a shotgun and start leading your barrel.

I doubt l would use more than 90 or 100 grains of powder, l was just trying to cover my bases on safety. Since l bought it used it did not come with a owner manual. Agreed, l figure much over 100 grains l wouldn’t be able to hit the broad side of a barn standing inside.

 

[GM54-120]

If its a 45 1-20 you will probably reach max sooner than a 1-30 if shooting the lighter 45s. They dont need as much powder or twist to stabilize. In the same sense a 460gr will probably need a bit more powder to shoot as well in a 1-30.

Understand though, Triple7 is a fair amount hotter than Pyrodex. Around 15% hotter so reduce accordingly. BH209 is a little hotter still and when moving up to bullets over 400gr you need to be a bit more careful. Peak pressures can rise fast with really heavy bullets and BH209.

 

[Smj66]

Gotcha. I’m not totally sure but l believe it is a 1:20” twist barrel, it was bought from knight as a barrel only. Maybe the serial number would tell if it is a 1:20” or 1:30”? i’ve never used bh209 and doubt l will because l’m a cheap skate, but l will keep that in mind if l ever do.

 

[edmehlig]

When shooting the same 465gr conical with my 45cal Whites with a 1-20” twist with 777-3F I don’t exceed 75gr. That’s enough recoil for this Wus.

 

[Underclocked]

You can easily determine the twist rate if you have a freely turning range rod/ram rod.

 

[TiggerLueb]

This is a great discussion. I too am a cheap skate and have been burning Pyrodex because I bought a pound container when it was new on the market and had not used it all up. I was in a Dunham's a few weeks back and bought a pound Triple 7 on a coupon deal for less than $25. I was using 100 grains by volume of Pyrodex with Harvestor CR sabots and 180 Hornady XTP's.
As I convert to Triple 7 it sounds like I need to start with about 50 grains and work my way up.

Or does someone have a more exact starting load for these projectiles?

 

[GM54-120]

You would start with about 85gr by volume if you were using 100grV of Pyrodex.

 

[TiggerLueb]

BTW my barrel twist rate is 1:28 on my two CVA's if that makes any difference.

 

[GM54-120]

Should be fine. I shot 200gr and 180gr XTPs in a older Accura 45 1-28 no problem.

 

[TiggerLueb]

Back to the original question posted by Smj66, accuracy falls off as you approach the maximum load listed in the owners manual of most rifles. As I work up a reload for a center fire rifle I watch the extra powder left in the barrel back off at least one grain of powder. The rifle usually shoots tighter groups and it is more cost efficient.