Hello,
Triple Se7en does not work well in sidelocks. Was never intended to.
I'll bet a bunch that you're getting a lot of variation.
You're also shooting a bit much powder for those types of conicals. I would hazard a guess that you're stripping lead on the rifling now and again.
As an example of the load you should be using, the old .58 rifled muskets firing minie-balls only used a 60gn charge of 2Fg to keep from blowing the skirt (not a problem with the R.E.A.L. bullets) and to keep them from stripping the rifling.
The R.E.A.L. bullets use a slightly different mechanism; no skirt to blow so you can go with slightly higher pressure.
However, you still want to back off of what you're using.
Start with a load of 50gns (by volume, always) 2Fg black powder or Pyrodex RS. (I know you want to use Triple Se7en, and we'll get to that.)
See what kind of accuracy you get with a three shot group.
Bump it up by 5gns, and fire another three-shot group.
You will probably find the best accuracy around 70gns, then it will start to fall off.
T/C lists max for that rifle (if I remember correctly, CHECK FOR YOURSELF) as 110gns 2Fg. I personally consider 90gns to be max as defined by the old guidelines: Start at the bore size (50gns for .50 caliber) and end at half the round ball weight (180gns for the ball, 90gns for the charge).
Optimum accuracy is usually found right in between those two at 60 or 70gns.
After you have it shooting at its optimum accuracy, reduce the charge by about 15% and see how it does with Triple Se7en. I would recommend switching to a musket cap, though, for more consistent ignition.
Just an FYI:
Blackpowder = charcoal + sulfur + saltpeter
Pyrodex = charcoal + sulfur + saltpeter + potassium perchlorate
Triple Se7en = charcoal + saltpeter + potassium perchlorate
Triple Se7en has no real advantage over black or Pyrodex when loading or storing. It's just as hygroscopic. The best way to keep it loaded is to use an over-the-powder wad. I just use a cotton ball, but the traditional thing to use is paper wasp or hornet nest. It just creates a barrier to keep lube out of the powder.
Put a piece of leather or rubber on the nipple and lower the hammer onto that. The load column is then at
least as airtight as a modern cartridge.
Forgive the length of this post; just wanted to make sure the bases were covered. I ain't a master of this black art yet, but I shore been studyin' with 'em!
Josh
