Setting up a muzzleloader for Colorado elk

[JimP]

If you want Blackhorn 209 powder talk to the manager at the Cabela's near you.

I have been in 3 of them and when it is in stock all 3 of them carry it but it flies off of the shelf fairly quickly depending on the time of year.

If you were near me I'd give you what I have left of it, at least one full bottle and another quarter of a bottle.

I just can't get my ML to shoot it.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

If you want Blackhorn 209 powder talk to the manager at the Cabela's near you.

I have been in 3 of them and when it is in stock all 3 of them carry it but it flies off of the shelf fairly quickly depending on the time of year.

If you were near me I'd give you what I have left of it, at least one full bottle and another quarter of a bottle.

I just can't get my ML to shoot it.

Jim, perhaps your issues have to do with proper ignition. BH209 has issues if the bullet is driven off the powder before the powder fully ignites. Lot of accuracy problems associated with that. I have been using Fiocchi primers in my 209 muzzleloaders. It has a "softer" ignition.

If my memory serves me correctly that problem can be identified if there is a very tiny delay between the primer sound and powder ignition. It is kind of like a VERY short "hang fire". When that delay is nonexistent and my rifle just goes off instantaneously, I get my best accuracy.

There was a guy (Russel Lynch I believe was his name) who did a video evaluating primers. He used a ramrod with various 209 primers measuring how far the primer drove the ramrod with the barrel held horizontal and level. The Fiocchi moved the rod the least, yet it is hot enough to reliably ignite the load.

There is also a guy named "Carlos" who's big in the muzzy circles. He was championing the Fiocchi primers at one time.

With that said, my Remington/Brux sabotless used Federal 209A primers but that jacketed bullet is more substantially seated on the powder.

 

[JimP]

I tried a couple of primers, the Federal 209 and Winchester 209 with the same results. This was shooting a 300 grain Thor bullet. I ended up going back to Pyrodex and the groups tightened up considerably. But when you are talking open sights a 3" group at 100 yards is doing quite well for these old eyes.

I am planning on doing a lot more shooting this coming summer and will try some other combinations and see if I can tweak it a little bit. Also depending on what I draw out on here in Colorado I might even throw a scope onto my inline just to see what kind of groups I can get with it.

 

[HighPlainsHunter]

maybe it might be worth trying a 2 part load? #11 primer,burn into say 40 gr of 777,then throw 50 gr of bh209 to get a full 90 gr load?im sure the bh209 would fire with some 777 fired first?would have to give it a try and see if there was a good gain in fps?has anybody tried this idea?

BH ignites just fine. It's a breech plug issue. I have one of the older model CVA Accura's and have researched this extensively as I had issues with ignition that rifle but never with my other muzzleloader so I knew there had to be an issue with the breech plug as they use the same powder and same primer.

The new Accura's have a breech plug made specifically for BH which has a larger diameter hole between the primer and powder as well as an enlarged opening allowing a shorter distance between the powder and primer. People who use these have much better experiences.

https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/accessories/cva-qrbp-blackhorn-209-breech-plug.html

 

[RICMIC]

Blackhorn 209 seems to hard to find by me. Both Cabela's by me didn't carry it. I could order online but they have a $20 hazardous material fee. Cabelas wouldn't ship to the store to save the shipping cost either. I'll have to try Shooter's Supply next time I go by.

Mud Farm; Since you mentioned Shooter's Supply, I assume that you are near Superior WI. I believe that they have 209. I saw one canister of 209 at Fleet Farm (Hermantown, MN) yesterday. I bought mine at Gander Mt. in Duluth, but that store was closed and I haven't checked the new version of the "Gander Outdoors" yet. I have settled on the 209 powder and Thor bullets and a peep sight for my MZL with excellent results.

 

[Umpqua Hunter]

BH ignites just fine. It's a breech plug issue. I have one of the older model CVA Accura's and have researched this extensively as I had issues with ignition that rifle but never with my other muzzleloader so I knew there had to be an issue with the breech plug as they use the same powder and same primer.

The new Accura's have a breech plug made specifically for BH which has a larger diameter hole between the primer and powder as well as an enlarged opening allowing a shorter distance between the powder and primer. People who use these have much better experiences.

https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/accessories/cva-qrbp-blackhorn-209-breech-plug.html

HighPlainsHunter, I believe he was theorizing on how to ignite BH209 with a #11 percussion cap.

 

[mallardsx2]

I have a breech plug in my CVA MR NITRIDE that is specifically designed for BH209.
Accuracy was all over the place with this gun until I FINALLY found the right bullet/load.
Burned through a lot of powder getting it dialed in. The nitride in the a barrel was suppose to hold up but I am seeing some rusty rags after cleaning leading me to believe that the coating is toast.

 

[Mud Farm]

Mud Farm; Since you mentioned Shooter's Supply, I assume that you are near Superior WI. I believe that they have 209. I saw one canister of 209 at Fleet Farm (Hermantown, MN) yesterday. I bought mine at Gander Mt. in Duluth, but that store was closed and I haven't checked the new version of the "Gander Outdoors" yet. I have settled on the 209 powder and Thor bullets and a peep sight for my MZL with excellent results.

I'm in central WI, there is a Shooter's Supply in Lomira. I go by there infrequently and will check the next time. Otherwise I'll try a Cabelas manager. I drive by Cabelas enough that I'd like to save the $20 Hazmat fee if possible