|
More Hodgdon Triple 7 Tests |
|
 After the first test with the Knight Disc Rifle and Hodgdon Triple Seven (H777), I was
encouraged to try more bullets and heavier charges to see if the performance could be
improved. In addition I wanted to do a comparison test with Pyrodex and Hodgdon Triple Seven Powders.
Pyrodex vs. Triple Seven
On the last trip to the range, I found that Hodgdon Triple Seven was cleaner burning than
Pyrodex, and there was no sulfur odor. It also made rifle cleaning a lot easier. The next
thing I wanted to know was how the performance of H777 compared to Pyrodex. For the test I used the
195 grain Powerbelt bullet and a 110 grain charge of each powder. The Triple 7 was clearly the velocity
winner, averaging 120 fps higher velocity. Performance will probably vary depending on the bullet used,
but my initial test for the bullet I planned to use for hunting reassured me that the switch to Triple Seven was worth the extra money.
New Bullet Weight Tested
|
ODHA Triple Seven Data for
.45 Caliber Magnum Muzzleloaders
|
|
Bullet/Sabot
|
100 gr.
|
110 gr.
|
140 gr.
|
|
155 gr. T/C XTP
|
2220
|
2285
|
|
|
175 Lead/sabot
|
|
2100
|
2345
|
|
195 gr. Power Belt
|
1985
|
2065
|
|
|
Next, I chronographed a 175 grain lead .401 caliber semi-wadcutter pistol bullet in a TC sabot. The 175
gave me good velocity with 110 grains of H777, so I bumped up the powder charges. Unlike the the other
bullets in my initial test, I did pick up some significant extra velocity when I increased the powder charge
to 140 grains. As you can see in the chart, the extra velocity translates into more energy and flat
trajectories. The new bullet did very well compared to the two bullets previously tested. I included the
trajectory tables so you can compare the 175 with the other bullets. I have not shot it enough to compare
the accuracy to the Powerbelts, but more testing is planned. I just happened to have a box of 500 bullets
normally used for loading 40S&W ammo. Now to find a good plastic sabot to use with it.
Trajectory Tables
I told you about the JBM web site in the first report. I have included some of the trajectory tables this time
for your review. You will be able to compare the differences in velocity, energy, bullet path, etc.
|
.45 Caliber 195 Powerbelt
|
|
Range
|
Velocity
|
Energy
|
Momentum
|
Drop
|
Windage
|
Lead
|
Time
|
|
(yards)
|
(ft/sec)
|
(ft-lbs)
|
(lbs-sec)
|
(inches)
|
(inches)
|
(inches)
|
(sec)
|
|
0
|
2063.2
|
1843.1
|
1.79
|
-1.5
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.000
|
|
50
|
1870.7
|
1515.2
|
1.62
|
0.5
|
0.7
|
13.4
|
0.076
|
|
100
|
1690.8
|
1237.8
|
1.46
|
-0.0
|
2.7
|
28.3
|
0.161
|
|
150
|
1524.8
|
1006.6
|
1.32
|
-3.6
|
6.4
|
44.7
|
0.254
|
|
200
|
1375.7
|
819.4
|
1.19
|
-10.9
|
11.8
|
63.0
|
0.358
|
|
250
|
1247.6
|
673.9
|
1.08
|
-22.8
|
19.2
|
83.1
|
0.472
|
|
|
40 Caliber 175 Lead/sabot
|
|
Range
|
Velocity
|
Energy
|
Momentum
|
Drop
|
Windage
|
Lead
|
Time
|
|
(yards)
|
(ft/sec)
|
(ft-lbs)
|
(lbs-sec)
|
(inches)
|
(inches)
|
(inches)
|
(sec)
|
|
0
|
2345.6
|
2137.8
|
1.82
|
-1.5
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.000
|
|
50
|
2046.8
|
1627.8
|
1.59
|
0.3
|
0.8
|
12.0
|
0.068
|
|
100
|
1771.4
|
1219.2
|
1.38
|
-0.0
|
3.4
|
25.9
|
0.147
|
|
150
|
1524.3
|
902.9
|
1.18
|
-3.1
|
8.3
|
42.0
|
0.239
|
|
200
|
1313.6
|
670.5
|
1.02
|
-10.0
|
15.7
|
60.7
|
0.345
|
|
250
|
1150.0
|
513.9
|
0.89
|
-21.9
|
26.0
|
82.2
|
0.467
|
|
|
40 Caliber 155 TC Mag Express/sabot
|
|
Range
|
Velocity
|
Energy
|
Momentum
|
Drop
|
Windage
|
Lead
|
Time
|
|
(yards)
|
(ft/sec)
|
(ft-lbs)
|
(lbs-sec)
|
(inches)
|
(inches)
|
(inches)
|
(sec)
|
|
0
|
2285.2
|
1797.3
|
1.57
|
-1.5
|
0.0
|
0.0
|
0.000
|
|
50
|
1990.6
|
1363.7
|
1.37
|
0.4
|
0.8
|
12.4
|
0.070
|
|
100
|
1720.5
|
1018.7
|
1.18
|
-0.0
|
3.6
|
26.6
|
0.151
|
|
150
|
1479.7
|
753.5
|
1.02
|
-3.3
|
8.6
|
43.2
|
0.245
|
|
200
|
1277.6
|
561.7
|
0.88
|
-10.7
|
16.3
|
62.4
|
0.355
|
|
250
|
1124.6
|
435.2
|
0.77
|
-23.3
|
26.9
|
84.5
|
0.480
|
|
|
