Triple Seven 3F VS Swiss 2F Velocity Test

This one surprised me a bit, I knew Triple Seven 3F was Hot Powder but i didn’t expect it to be this much Faster than Swiss 2F, I am thoroughly impressed with Triple Seven 3Fs Velocity, it blew the Doors off Swiss 2F, I have always said that if i was gonna Shoot a Substitute Powder it would likely be Hodgdon’s Triple Seven  

I used my Stainless Green Mountain LRH in .50 Cal for this test, Target is 70-80 Yards out. The Bullet i chose was my Accurate Molds #50-415i My ”i Bullet”




427 Grains when Cast of Pure Lead


80 Grains Volume (70 Grains by weight) Triple Seven 3F


And Swiss 2F, 80 Grains Volume (and 80 by Weight)


And last, I shot a 3 Shot Group, about 70-80 Yards. I am really looking forward to Shooting More of this Triple Seven 3F Powder  

Why 3f with 777.seems everything I find is backwards I found some swiss 3 f so I got a few pds.and the 777 I found was 2f.so I guess what I am asking why you choose each one.thank you sir

Hello John! I like 777 although I prefer the real deal but I can’t always get it where I’m at. I can go to the local Walmart and get 777 or pyrodex rs go figure. I like the 777 also because it’s way cleaner and cleans up with just plain tap water or alcohol and a few patches and the biggest benefit is as Lewis was explaining is it’s faster out the barrel. One word of caution, it has a higher energy content and the pressures are higher so you don’t need as much so all maximums are reduced by 15% not a big deal. I use 85-90gr volume which is 67-70 by weight

John Willoughby wrote:Why 3f with 777.seems everything I find is backwards I found some swiss 3 f so I got a few pds.and the 777 I found was 2f.so I guess what I am asking why you choose each one.thank you sir

I go with 3F when shooting Substitute powders due to them being a little harder to ignite, You should have a Flash Hole size of about .032-.033 with Substitute powders such as Triple Seven and Pyrodex. I use, and prefer Treso/Ampco Nipples, they come with a tiny flash hole of .028, I had no trouble yesterday with ignition, But MANY Folks have, .028 is an awful small Flash Hole for Substitute powders, .032 is a Much safer bet. The tiny .028 Flash Hole of the Treso/Ampco Nipples Is ideal when using Real Blackpowder, which is what they are geared for.

If one chooses to open their Nipples Flash Hole slightly, You need to be AWARE That these Tiny flash Holes are this way for good reason, there is a TREMENDOUS amount of Force when the Bullet is being pushed down the Bore, with X amount of this pressure coming back through the Nipples Flash Hole, with your eye right there close. If you choose to open the Flash Hole slightly, I advise that you do so PRECISELY, and do NOT go over .033-.034

I use Precision Pin gauges to measure my Nipple Flash Holes, this way I know for absolute sure what they are. You can buy these in single, I bought this kit for about 30-40 Dollars if I remember correctly? I bought them through Amazon. P.S. in the photo below is a Brand New TC Hotshot Nipple, note the Flash Hole is .035 They obviously do this for better ignition, But in my opinion .035 is to Large, Shoot for .032-.033  

This is to help illustrate what Lewis is talking about. I had issues about 10 years ago and opened the flash hole to .036” and you see the results

how was the velocity spread with triple 7, was it perty consistent. I like shooting it better than pyrodex

EasternOregon .50cal GPR wrote:how was the velocity spread with triple 7, was it perty consistent. I like shooting it better than pyrodex

It was consistent I only shot 3 over the Chrono, 1,471, 1,451 and 1,458, I weigh my charges instead of using a Volume measure, Everything i do is geared toward Accuracy, getting the absolute most out of my Rifles, I take out every variable i can I use a Volume measure to determine how much weight a Particular volume is? Then I weigh in Grains on a good Trusted Scale

I do not have a chronograph. I have been shooting this is exact setup and I am having similar results with the ibullet .I have run triple seven 90 grains by volume which may be Overkill. 85 grain has been working just as good. I am still working on load development . I am using a homemade bullet lube with toilet wax rings and paraffin wax.I have used number 11 primers and CCI four wing, I have also upgraded the nipple to shoot the CCI four wing .I have not experienced a lot of flash from the nipple but I also have not been paying attention to it I'm assuming it is not enough for me to notice .I will be paying attention the next time I shoot. I'm going to save a couple targets for you guys next time I shoot.as a hunter I really like the ibullet. it is short and a flat nose which is excellent as a brush round. The flat nose short stubby profile,allows you to shoot through brush with minimal deviation. I live in Florida,so a heavy grain brush round is ideal for me.

The difference between number 11 primers and four wing with the two nipples on the bottom picture

Waters wrote:The difference between number 11 primers and four wing with the two nipples on the bottom picture

I have both nipples for my ne. I’ve been using the 4 wings for a little bit (easier to grab) where I’ve been a mechanic for over 20 years it’s taken it’s toll and Can’t feel the little #11’s

I have been using triple 7 2F in our 50 and 54 caliber rifles. In your opinion, which powder granulation is better for the 50 or the 54?  3F for the 50 and 2F for the 54? or does this matter?

Grant Northcott wrote:I have been using triple 7 2F in our 50 and 54 caliber rifles. In your opinion, which powder granulation is better for the 50 or the 54?  3F for the 50 and 2F for the 54? or does this matter?

With the Substitute powders such as Triple 7 and Pyrodex I prefer 3F Grade, Substitute Powders are a little Harder to ignite, The finer 3F Grade can make a difference there. That said, if you are having good luck with 2F Grade, By all means stick with it With Real Blackpowder such as Swiss, i prefer 2F Grade

2 and 3F Grades are both VERY good, Generally you will get a little more Velocity from 3F over 2F, I shoot LOTS of Both Grades, But more 2F Swiss than anything

Pyrodex P is 3F Grade, Pyrodex RS would be like 2F Grade. Thought i would ad this real quick for those that might not know this

I have some Pyrodex Select that I only shot a few loads in my Optima pistol.
Haven't tried it in any of my sidehammer guns yet. I imagine it's comparable to Triple 7 but not sure if 2f or 3f?

Ironhead wrote:I have some Pyrodex Select that I only shot a few loads in my Optima pistol.
Haven't tried it in any of my sidehammer guns yet. I imagine it's comparable to Triple 7 but not sure if 2f or 3f?

The “Select” is one i have not Tried yet, I plan to when i see it available again


I just copied this from Hodgdon:
Select is an enhancement of our RS grade of Pyrodex. Using RS or FFg data in a volumetric measure, Select can significantly reduce group size. Select performs well with sabots and conical bullets.

Thanks, Idaho, I haven't had any issues to speak of with FFG triple 7, but I'm going to switch to FFFG as soon as my supply of FFG runs out.. this will take a looong time

I find with my 45 cal White ML’s I get better accuracy with 3F powder.

I've been using Pyro P for a while now with great results in my .45. I wonder how it would work in my .58?!?! But 100 gr of Goex FFg works really really good. But now when my supply runs out I'll be shooting Swiss.

Idaho, were those bullets paper patched or greased?

Grant Northcott wrote:Idaho, were those bullets paper patched or greased?

They were Greased, I shoot far more Greased Bullets than Paper Patched, Paper Patching is where i Started in Muzzleloading

I have a 54 cal 533 mold for Minnie ball. I imagine they would need to be greased too?

Lewis,
Hush don't let them know. Keep them in the dark. It's all I shoot in a cap gun and you are right on with what you found. It burns clean and more efficient.

Is there a commerically made nipple with a .32 flash hole? Anybody know what the diameter of the flash hole in a Traditions Deerhunter is?