Muzzleloader powder

[DRH1175]

What are you guys shooting for powder. I have a .50 t/c Omega and I like the 300gr Hornady XTP. for the last 3 years I have been shooting the Shockey gold powder in ffg. It seems to be shooting good but with nothing to compare to I want to try something else. I have been looking at 777 ffg, fffg, and pellets. I like the loose so I can tincker a bit. Though the pellets are easy to use. What luck have others had?

[Jim Uran]

I like pyrodex pellets. For me it's the convenience and ease(laziness) of use that appeal to me. I've used loose in the past with equal results, just sick of measuring powder.

[Bucksnort101]

Used to use Pyrodex Pellets and then Tripel 7, but didn't like the results with trying to cram a quick second load down the barrel if I needed to take a second shot in a hurry.

Last year I switched to a new powder called Blackhorn 209 and really like it. It costs a bit more that other powders, but you use less of it per max charge (120 grains) than if using a full 150 load of Pyrodex and Triple 7.

Very clean and hot burning powder, and I don't mind measureing powder loads and like the fact I can fine tune my load to my rifle (I also shoot a .50 Omega).

Cleans up very well, and I've loaded many shots without cleaning the barrel with it which I have never been able to do with other powders that I've tried.

One thing Blackhorn and others do recommend is that you use a hot burning 209 Primer with this powder as the primers designed specifically for Muzzleloader use do not burn hot enough to ignite this powder very well. I've been using CCI primers and they seem to work very well.

[DRH1175]

Where did you find the blackhorn 209? I prefer loose as well. I read good things about the Blackhorn. It is suppose to be the best powder on the Market, high velocity, clean, and accurate But can't seem to find it locally.

[fishmon]

For you guys that are using loose, what do you do when you don't fire the gun? Do you dump the powder when going form the cold outside to the warmer inside? I have always used pellets for this reason.

[huntnfish]

When I muzzy hunt I use the loose powder and I don't ever bring the gun inside unless it is to clean it after a shot. Otherwise, during the season I leave it outside to make sure there is no condesation. I have never had a problem doing it this way. One year I had it loaded for the entire season and shot my buck on the last afternoon of the season.

[delmuts]

You're much better off if you leave a loaded BP some where that stays close to outside temps. As said. You run the risk of codensation. Leave it out in the garage. If you bring it inside, then unload it, let it warm up, and clean it.

[Black_Bay]

Has anyone used White Hot? I saw an add in a muzzleloading mag.

[Bucksnort101]

To answer some of your questions.

I got the Blackhorn 209 at Cabelas in Rogers last summer. They seem to like to hide it behind the counter where you can't see it. Last time I bought some I had to stoop over and point it out to the saleperson as it was pushed way to the back of thier powder shelf. It was $37.99 for a bottle, but I figure the amount of money I save on cleaning supplies more than pays for using this powder.

From what I've heard the company that makes Blackhorn is a pretty small company so it explains why it's hard to find. I think a lot of people order it by mail. If I make it to Cabelas this weekend I'll see if they have any on hand.

Second, during hunting season I either leave my ML outside in my truck or in a locked garage to keep temps the close to the same. Blackhorn is advertised as a powder that does not attract moisture like most other Black Powder, but I don't take a chance.

I think White Hot is relatively new and I have not seen it anywhere yet. Supposed to burn very clean from what I've heard. I'm gonna stick with Blackhorn for the time being.

[flipper]

The Blackhorn is really a smokeless powder that has been watered down so you can shoot it in a muzzleloader. I have had good accuracy with it but I just can't justify the cost, Also some of my muzzleloaders use #11 percussion caps and the 209 primers are the only ones that reliably set off Blackhorn 209. I have had really good luck with 777 and have had exceptional accuracy with it as well. The white hots are really the same as 777 pellets. I am just not a pellet guy. With loose powder you save a bunch of money and you can fine tune your loads. If a person only shoots to get the gun sighted in and then to hunt the cost factor is no biggie. Just be sure to clean your gun when you are done no matter what you are shooting, even Blackhorn.

Good Luck, Art

[DRH1175]

Thanks, I found some Blackhorn 209. They had it at a small gun shop in Hugo. I was surprised to find it there. It was even cheaper than Cabelas at 32.99.

I also prefer loose you can really have fun tinckering untill you find that perfect load. I don't think the loose is really more prone to moisture. As all are. I too never bring my gun once loaded inside. This really keeps it quite dry. I also like to put a piece of light tape over the barrel if wet outside when hunting.