|
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
|
|
|
