Ruger 77/50 - Manual (Page 8)

Death, serious injury, and damage
can result from the use of wrong
ammunition, bore obstructions,
powder overloads, or incorrect
components. Always wear
shooting glasses and hearing
protectors.
Never use smokeless powder in
any muzzleloader! Never fire an
unknown powder charge.
If you
are uncertain as to which
components your rifle is loaded
with, do not fire it -- you must
unload your rifle and remove the
unknown components.
IMPROPER AMMUNITION
DESTROYS GUNS
8
Black Powder is usually classified by powder grain size, with “Fg” being the
largest granulation and “FFFFg” being the smallest granulation normally
available. Use only “FFg” (sometimes called “2F”) grain size black powder in the
RUGER
®
MODEL 77/50 rifle. Replica Black Powder such as Pyrodex RS
may be used, so long as suggested loading data is strictly adhered to. Note that
Pyrodex RS is less dense than FFg black powder and must only be used as a
measure-for-measure substitute for FFg black powder.
If you substitute Pyrodex
RS for FFg black powder on a weight-for-weight basis, you will overcharge your
rifle and risk serious injury.
POWDER CHARGE
Since Black Powder is sold in bulk, you are in complete control over how you
load your rifle. Be sure to weigh each charge, or use a dipper which holds the
exact weight of powder you wish to load. Check to be sure the dipper holds the
correct amount of powder by weighing a dipper-full of powder before you begin
loading your rifle from the dipper.
Never load powder into the barrel directly
from a flask or other powder container -- you run the serious risk of explosion
and severe personal injury.
A good starting accuracy load, using a pure lead .50” diameter ball or conical
projectile, is 40 grains of FFg black powder. You may find that adjustment of this
charge upward or downward is more accurate in your rifle. A good starting
hunting load for deer-sized game with the same projectile is 70 grains of FFg
black powder. Consulting a black powder loading manual for recommended
target or hunting loads is essential.
Never exceed the maximum powder charge
listed for the specific projectile you are using! Never exceed a powder charge of
120 grains of FFg black powder, regardless of the projectile you are using!
?
POWDER?
Never Use Unknown
or Smokless Powder
WARNING – AMMUNITION
!