Adjustable loading lever on the gun?

That's neat. I also shoot 777 and have wondered about compressing it. For the past couple of months I have been trying out Alliant Black-MZ which can be compressed and has much of the same pep that 777 has IMO.

Here are some methods used on the Ruger Old Army. I have a couple of the brass tipped ones from Banana River. I may ultimately convert one of them to the adjustable type.

The only issue I can see is that a mechanical travel limiter means that you need to drop the exact same volume of powder EVERY time. Otherwise sometimes you may not put the ball firmly enough onto a slightly light charge and the next time it may compress a slightly bigger charge.

I'd personally rather rely on getting a feel for the ball friction then push it down with just enough force to keep it moving so when it contacts the powder the ball stops and I would know that it's touched from that.

Obviously SOME compression is unavoidable. But I gather that 777 needs to be fully seated but not overly compressed and packed like we do with regular BP.

I've been considering, and even have a spring from the neighbor's trampoline, to use as a sort of cheater where at a given resistance it'll break giving a more consistent load.

I'm not sold on this idea that goes around the internet that T7 doesn't accept much compression. If you look at their load data it states for percussion guns:

"Seat the projectile firmly against the powder."

This is in contrast to loading in a cartridge:

"You may safely use a card or polyethylene wad up to .030" in thickness to protect the base of the bullet. Loading density should be 100% with light compression not to exceed .100". Testing has shown that Triple Seven will perform best when the bullet just touches the powder. Allow no airspace between the base of the bullet and the powder. Do not reduce loads by means of filler wads or inert filler material such as Grits, Dacron or Grex. Do not heavily compress powder charges. The use of filler wads, inert fillers or heavy compression may cause a dangerous situation, which could cause injury and/or death to the shooter, bystanders or damage property."

I've loaded mine with a good bit of force as I've done with all powders. I've no way to say that it's not been adversely impacted, but i couldn't tell a big enough difference. But I'm no pistolero either. I get better groups at 15 yds with my ROA than most of the guys with their auto loaders at 7 yds, but I'm by no means a great shot as my offhand groups are closer to 3-6".

I figured a spring would give a more consistent load pressure instead of needing to know load depth. it would work the same no matter what as long as it didn't bottom out. But I've yet to put it to any test, though I did try it once, and it seemed the springs the neighbor kids tossed over the fence were a bit too stiff, but maybe they kept the great compression at bay...

Try a "table top" loader :banghead:

I agree...the only time I use the on-gun-ram is if a bullet jumped. Which doesn't happen after the first cylinder full is fired.

BowerR64

Your photography is superb.

What camera are you using?

BowerR64 said:

Im trying to avoid one more big bulky item to have to take with me to the range. :banghead:

My range bag is already so full of junk now its silly.

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1 loader for all your guns and its not bulky at all...lose some of your other "silly junk" and give it a try

Bower R64:

Pard I admire your persistence but if you want one hole groups you need to play a different game with different guns. Phil and his wife know how to maximize accuracy from a muzzleloader handgun better than I do. I cannot add to their expertise. You have your guns shooting well enough to be a formidable cowboy action competitor.

What you need to do now is buy a gun belt with some good looking holsters and a cowboy hat and join SASS. Hook up with a cowboy action shooting club near you and use those guns the way the were intended, shooting bad guys, real or imaginary. Nearly 100,000 shooters have made the leap; I have a hunch you will not regret it.

OK so this is blatant recruiting for our sport, but gee whiz its fun!!

J-Bar
SASS #18727

Back In Our Younger Days. Oh Yea.

You would laugh if you seen my rig, its just old junk

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It's old junk used with a lot of hard earned knowledge.

Too many folks have a hard time realizing that it's more about the control of the light than it is about the camera. Your rig just reinforces that good pictures are not about the camera. Instead it is knowing and using the basics of photography and controlling the lighting. And light control in macro shots is one of the greater challenges.

Your home made ring flash box is a brilliant idea..... er.... excuse the pun...