pyrodex pellets
- Thread starter balou77
- Start date
I don't recommend pellets for a Hawken whether it's a percussion cap or flintlock. Pellets are designed to ignite from the bottom and "classic" muzzleloaders ignite from the side. I use Pyrodex granular (loose powder) in my Hawken 50 cal percussion. I have shot..with great success I might add, Hornady 250 and 300 gr SST's from my rifle. I have tried various maxi balls etc. But for hunting I have picked the SST's for overall best accuracy at 100 meters. Others will say that sabots will ONLY shoot well from a rifle with a 1/28 twist but my 1/36 is just fine. I also shoot a 50 cal inline so I do have something to compare against.
As for a load with these SST's 80 - 110 gr of loose Pyrodex should give satisfactory results. A plus note is Pyrodex loose is around $18.00 a lb and Pyrodex Select is about $25.00 (more shots for your dollar). A lot cheaper that pellets, and you can adjust your load for round ball, mini or maxi's or sabots. Good shooting.
As for a load with these SST's 80 - 110 gr of loose Pyrodex should give satisfactory results. A plus note is Pyrodex loose is around $18.00 a lb and Pyrodex Select is about $25.00 (more shots for your dollar). A lot cheaper that pellets, and you can adjust your load for round ball, mini or maxi's or sabots. Good shooting.
poor ignition. Hang fires. failed ignition of the pellets.
easyer just to use loose powder. in the time it saves you loading. your risking a lot mor time in hang fires failed ignitions and a run away deer after he hears the cap go off. only way really to get pellets to go off cnsistantly with a traditional muzzle loader is to put 5 grains of 3f or 4f in the bottom before the pellets, and that takes away the speed factor so easyer to use loose goex or other black powder.
easyer just to use loose powder. in the time it saves you loading. your risking a lot mor time in hang fires failed ignitions and a run away deer after he hears the cap go off. only way really to get pellets to go off cnsistantly with a traditional muzzle loader is to put 5 grains of 3f or 4f in the bottom before the pellets, and that takes away the speed factor so easyer to use loose goex or other black powder.
Yup, that about sums it up.......pellets are designed to have spark introduced from the rear where it shoots up the hole in the centre of the pellet. Original Pyrodex pellets had and still do have a small ring of blackpowder at one end....to help it ignite better with #11 caps in in-lines. Once we switched to 209s, it really wasn't an issue any more. Pellets are hard to ignite and shooting spark down on top of them is inconsistent at best. Now, in in-lines with 209s, they offer far superior performance to loose.
trubluscrew
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
I was going to add insight, but Sheephunter has beat me to it. Pellets were designed for in-line loaders and require more "spark" to ignite. If I remember correctly (it was either in the Pyrodex or 777) that recommends that #209 primers to be used.
Yes, T7 definitely requires 209s for ignition but I've even had my share of issues with regular Pyrodex pellets and #11s. I've never had a hangfire or misfire with a 209 though. The early days of pellets and #11s were challenging, especially in cold or wet weather.
I used the T7 pellets in my first Omega with great results, and understand the theory behind the hole in them. With my new Omega I switched to Shockey's Gold pellets. They have a completely different shape, perhaps best described as a tapered rectangular cube (if that makes sense
), but with no hole in them. So I'm not sure how much difference the hole actually makes in the Pyrodex pellets. Not having a hole doesn't seem to effect the Shockey pellets performance. I was able to get as good of groups with them as I did with the T7 pellets all the way out to 250 yards.
), but with no hole in them. So I'm not sure how much difference the hole actually makes in the Pyrodex pellets. Not having a hole doesn't seem to effect the Shockey pellets performance. I was able to get as good of groups with them as I did with the T7 pellets all the way out to 250 yards.
I used the T7 pellets in my first Omega with great results, and understand the theory behind the hole in them. With my new Omega I switched to Shockey's Gold pellets. They have a completely different shape, perhaps best described as a tapered rectangular cube (if that makes sense
Shockey's Gold would both be round and have a hole were it not for a patent that that Hogdon holds. They are very protective of this patent.......just ask the folks that have tried to make pellets after them.
Last edited:
I can't see any advantage in using pellets. Get some quick loaders and use loose powder. A pre-measured charge with a ball or bullet in the tube is at least as fast as messing with pellets plus you can match the load to the gun.
I always like to tap the side of my rifle to make sure powder is where it has the best chance of getting a good flame. I can't remember when I last had a hangfire using regular black powder.
I always like to tap the side of my rifle to make sure powder is where it has the best chance of getting a good flame. I can't remember when I last had a hangfire using regular black powder.
That's all well and good, Hodgdon can keep that patent. If I can get the same performance (accuracy) from a different shaped pellet AND the multiple loadings and easier cleaning from another powder then I'll shoot the funny lookin' stuff
In in-lines using 209s.....pellets offer about 10-15% more velocity than loose so that's the big advantage....plus the convenience and better wet weather performance.
That's all well and good, Hodgdon can keep that patent. If I can get the same performance (accuracy) from a different shaped pellet AND the multiple loadings and easier cleaning from another powder then I'll shoot the funny lookin' stuff
You might get the same accuracy but velocities are definitely way down.
Velocity isn't everything, even though I've been known to own my share of magnums, and shoot light TSX, and TTSX bullets
I also love shooting my 45/70 trap door, and that's not going to give much velocity Regardless Shockey's powder works, and has qualities that appeal to me.
