Jim Shockey's Gold?

[Bobb-o]

Been hearing alot aboot this muzzlelaoder powder, and wondering if anyone on here has given it a try as of yet, I find it hard to believe that you would only need to clean once every 6,000 shots as per tha T.v. ad.

[Tom Wilson]

Bobb-o,

My friend is using that powder right now, and I tried it for a couple of shots. It's very good powder, but don't believe that stuff about not cleaning. I am using the American Pioneer powder, which is the exact same formula as the Shockey's from what I've been told. It is much, much cleaner burning than Pyrodex or Triple Seven, but you still have to clean. It doesn't leave the thick black mess that the others do, but that isn't why your cleaning your muzzleloader in the first place. The powder residues that get left behind are corrosive to your gun, and this stuff is not as bad, but you have to clean to remove the plastic residues. (I am assuming that you are shooting saboted pellets) If you're just shooting patch and ball, then you could get by with a lot less cleaning because it is cleaner burning--but don't be fooled it still leaves residue. It's kind of greyish white and almost grease like. Reminds me of dirty colored white lithium grease when I pull my patches out. When you push the sabots down into the barrel you are forming the rifling into the sides of the plastic. When you fire the round you are smearing and heating the plastic. This action repeated is what causes your loader to get harder to load and makes it less accurate with each repeated shot. That is why you still have to clean and clean often. When I'm at the range I find that I can shoot three shots with the new powders, versus one, possibly two with the pyrodex, but you still have to clean or you'll make yourself a really good mess. Bottom line--it's good powder, but you still have to clean--not as often mind you, but definitely not like they're marketing it.

Good Luck and God Bless,

Tom W

[Gofishleech]

I got some with a new gun and did not really like it. Plenty dirty and I was haveing problems with acuracy/consitancy so I switch to 777, seemed much cleaner as for as loading and I am grouping now. Not saying it was the powder but who knows.

[lawdog]

I got a buddy who swears by the stuff. I've never shot it, but he just won't shoot anything else. Won't even consider it.

[Johnsonator]

I recently bought my first muzzleloader at Gander Mountain and the guy behind the counter talked me into buying Jim Shockeys Gold Sticks. He said they were the easiest to clean, bla, blah, blah. First time shooting the rifle I had a 3" group at 40 yards and I was extremely happy. The next day I shot again and did fine from 40 yards, but then moved to about 75 yards and I saw the negative side of this powder. The group fell apart and the bullets were spraying everywhere. Then I noticed that chunks of the sticks where flying in the air burning like a tracer when I shot, and some shots made a big bang and others were more of a poof. After this outing I went and bought loose 777, what a difference. I am shooting 80 grains with a 250 grain Hornady SST, and it shoots excellent. At 40 yards I put the first 2 shots in at 1.5", then backed up to 80 yards and was still consistant. I will not use Jim Shockeys Gold again, the 777 goes off like a rifle and has more recoil with 80 grains loose compared to the 100 grains of pellets. I would not recommend this powder and I wish that the guy behind the counter would not push a product that he knows nothing about. As far as cleaning, I would say that they both easy to clean and Shockeys gold is no cleaner than the 777. If anybody wants to try the Gold sticks, I have half of a can that I will not use. Hope this helps.

[irvingdog]

You can't tell 'em until they've spent all day at the range, practicing with different propellants, in different varieties; it's all about the loose powder boys.

Cheaper, more precise, and more efficient.

[Borch]

Loose Powder definitely give you more flexibilty and therefore and better chance to really find the sweet mix. I however am getting acceptable results with the pellets. Getting 2 1/2" groups at 100 yards is good enough for me.

Could I do better with losse powder? Maybe. But I'll take this with the built in convenience. The for amount I shoot it the cost difference is pretty insignificant.

[lakevet]

When the relatives started muzzleloading 14 yrs ago, some of us purchased 6 muzzleloaders (Knights) that turned out to have consecutive serial numbers. 2 of the guns like the same load. The other four each like something different. Every couple years we try something new, but so far we go back to our original loads using pyrodex select. Loose powder allows more fine tuning. Cleaning is part of muzzleloading and it doesn't take long. Small tradeoff fto get the best accuracy. Just be sure to spend the time sighting in so that one shot goes where you're aiming! Can't wait til saturday, hopefully my 13 yr old niece will get her first deer! Have fun!

Lakevet