Using 777 in a Colt 1861 what would be a good starting load

[Sundance]

At present using 15g of Pyrodex P in my Colt, and pleased with the results.  As 777 is about 20% more oooomph should I try about 12g, or even less?

[Cactus Cris]

If it is a .36, then 12gr (volume) of 777 is a good place to start.  Youi might have to add a wad due to the length of the ram not seating the ball on that amount.  You don't want an air gap between the powder & ball!!  I use 18gr. 3f Elephant and no wad then a lube on top of the ball & it works for me.

[Sundance]

Ahhh should have said .36 Sheriff version Navy.  MMM I think you may be right about a wad or filler.  Would 15g of 777 be too much do yeh reckon?

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[Cactus Cris]

Nah.  Give it a try.  You can always lighten it down.

[hellgate]

Sundance,
I have not shot 777 in my C&Bs yet. I have 14 at present. However, a 15gr load would be no more powerful than a 20gr FFFg BP load. Where you might get into trouble is if you tried a full load of 25grs (by volume) and really rammed the ball down hard. I have nearly filled the chambers with Pyro P and rammed conicals hard and gotten a pretty stout load from that. I could tell after the match that I had to tap the wedge in a little deeper so I must have caused a few parts to "give". If you were to fill the chambers with 777 and stacked on a conical I think you'd be taking chances. Over the years I have on numerous occasions put too much powder (3F) in the chamber and had to really crank on the rammer (even whittled some lead with a knife) to seat the conical or ball and had no sense that the gun was overloaded when it went off. However, I do know of a Colt Walker that blew apart with a charge of 777. The barrel sailed down range leaving the frame & cylinder behind. The cylinder pin (arbor) snapped off at the wedge cutout.

[Sundance]

Just found data from Hodgon's web site.  Seems that up to 20 g 777.  POWDER MEASURE (GR) is OK gun quoted .36 1851 NAVY STEEL.

Hellgate x14 C&B's here in the UK you need a letter from God just to get 2.  I'm envious....Rifles though not such a problem.