Newbie to the 77/50 here...

[rugerjunkie]

So...I picked up a ss/lam 77/50 a while back and its getting close to that time of year. I'm a newbie to black powder in general. I need to get a manual for the rifle too.

Mine is factory and not converted to 209 primers. Read up on some bad press on converting. I also have a Weaver grand slam 1.5-5 that may be going on it if I decide to scope it.

I'd like to hear from the more experienced here about your results with different bullet and powder combinations , what ranges you feel comforatable with , and any other tips important enough for a new black powder shooter.

Thanks
Jeff

 

[Chief 101]

I have the same gun and it is most accurate and powerful. Min4 was converted to 209 primers when I bought it but I switched it back to the factory configuration. I put an old Weaver 3x scope on it and loaded it with heavy bullets and it shoots great. I have used both fff Black and Pyrodex RS with no problems. I didn't like the way it shot with the 209 primers but when I changed it back to #11 caps it settled right in. I havent shot patched in it so no opinion on that. Good luck

 

[rugerjunkie]

Thanks Cheif. All I have done at this point was to pick up some 50 to 44 sabots. Im thinking of trying some 44cal 265gr Hornady sp's or 270gr Speer sp's. I load them for my SBH and 77/44 and have a good supply of both. Not sure if that is a good route but I'll try em out.

 

[Chief 101]

I didn't try sabots but as I like bp guns for hunting I like it to be simple with fewest parts. I tried sabots in a 54 cal several years ago without good results, tho I didn't give them a fair chance, so I wish you good luck, and you have a fine bp rifle there.

 

[rugerjunkie]

Thanks again Cheif. Anybody else have any tips or advice on bp? What weight of powder charge with what bullet has given you good results? Prefer loose powder or pellets? What charge is the 77/50 rated for? How often is cleaning required and do the newer powders go further between cleanings?

I'll be gathering up supplies soon and trying the 77/50 out on paper and run some different combinations across the chrony. I'm also guessing this process will be A slow one!

 

[Chief 101]

I mostly shot Pyrodex RS and I started with 60gr...2" groups at 100. Then went to 70 gr...2" groups at 100
Then to 90gr...same thing. not much change in point of impact. I let my buddy shoot it and he double charged, not sure if he doubled the 60 or 90 but it knocked his glasses off and still shot on the target. The bullet I am using is the Lee 360gr Minnie bullet. I lubed it with a mixture of paraffin, beeswax and STP, that is the mixture I use in my lube sizer for cartridge shooting. I cant say if any or all of this is the right combinations but I do know that it worked fine for me and I got 10 shots between cleanings.
One more item of interest, the trigger on mine was unsafe when I got it so back to Ruger it went. When I got it back they had put it back to factory specs(ignition and trigger), which I prefer. That is when this rifle started shooting good groups reliably. I have every confidence in this outfit now.

 

[Cedar Creek]

I have a 77/50 I bought in 1998 - birch stock with blued metal. I tried different combinations of sabots with .44 bullets with limited success; if I was trying the sabot deal again I would go with .45 bullets. I shoot Pyrodex pellets, original percussion ignition, and plan to try PowerBelt bullets this year with 2x-7x Nikon scope. I will post a report when I shoot mine in a few weeks - good luck with yours!

Cedar Creek

 

[rugerjunkie]

Thanks Cedar Creek. Seems so far sabots arent the answer. I could live with minute of deer accuracy with them after seeing a lot of the choices for other bullets are $1 per bullet and up. I am going to try the 265 and 270 grain sp's and maybe some cast wide nose bullets in the sabots. Maybe length of the bullets in the sabots makes a difference in stabilizing??

 

[Cedar Creek]

I have been told (no personal experience) that the .45 bullets shoot better with sabots than .44 bullets because the larger bullet diameter = thinner material on the sleeves of the sabot. I'm guessing the thinner material does a better job of engaging the rifling. Maybe; again I haven't tried it yet. Also haven't tried the PowerBelt bullets yet but some of the guys I hunt with are happy with them.

Cedar Creek