1: If I shoot 275 grain TC bullets how much triple 7 powder should I be testing for elk loads? (I won’t be using pellets or sabots)
Most guys shoot between 80 and 100 grains of Triple 7
by volume. This is different than by weight, which is how loading for cartridge firearms is measured. Load data is available here:
https://hodgdon.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/01/muzzleloading_manual_2008.pdf.
2: How do I know when I find a good load amount? 1-2 MOA is fairly acceptable for a muzzleloader but, as Perma mentions, many will shoot sub-MOA with the right amount of tinkering. Your effective range will be however far you can consistently hold a 4-5 inch group.
3: How many shots can I take in practice before stopping to clean?
You will likely want to swab the barrel every 2-3 shots but you'll be able to tell when more pressure is required to ram home a projectile. You don't necessarily need to clean back to a shiny bore, just run a few (spit) wet patches through from time to time. You'll also want to clean out your breech plug from time to time if you are getting slow ignition or hangfires. Most companies sell small brushes for this but I've used a tiny drill bit, as well. Triple 7 is notorious for leaving a crud ring where the bullet meets the powder charge. This will be have to be scrubbed out after range sessions.
4: Should the barrel be oiled after I am done using it for the day or after each cleaning?
For the love of God, please no, do not use a petroleum-based oil a muzzleloader unless you want squibs or hangfires (a lessson I learned the hard way). Bore butter, tallow, bear grease, muzzleloader-specific lubricants etc. are much better options.
5: I know it depends on how much powder I end up using but can someone explain what sort of bullet drop I can expect?
Plug your TC's BC and estimated velocity from the Hodgdon PDF into the Hornady Ballistics Calculator:
https://www.hornady.com/team-hornady/ballistic-calculators/#!/. Will give you a rough idea but you will want to verify on the actual range.
I am a Blackhorn 209 true believer but it can be slightly more finicky than some of the previous generation BP substitutes. You will need to use a 209 magnum primer and potentially a BH-specific breech plug. Check with CVA on that. BH burns more cleanly, consistently and hotter in my experience but Triple 7 is entirely serviceable if that is what you have already purchased.
