Muzzleloaders, powder type, bullet selection, talk, and other "stuff".

I saw the firearm threads, pistol threads, and archery threads but no muzzle loader thread. Figured I'd start one and see where it goes.

Currently I'm shooting a Thompson Center Encore .50 cal. stainless I've had for 15+ years. I absolutely love it.

I'm switching powder this year for whitetail deer from Pyrodex pellets to Blackhorn 209. I'm also switching bullets from Powerbelt to Hornady American whitetail sabots. I hope this combination improves my accuracy and penetration.

Here’s the new powder.

 

My muzzleloader is a Thomson Center Renegade that I got for Christmas in 1980. .50 caliber flintlock, 80gr 2F Goex, .490 Speer swaged balls, .010 patch. Will shoot 1-1/2 groups at 50 yards. When I shoot 295gr Powerbelts the groups will tighten to a ragged clover leaf.

I love our late season flintlock. Cold, snow, less hunters.

 

I have never shot a flintlock. I don't know that I am disciplined enough to hold it steady for the bullet to leave the gun

 

I love this powder, switched 5 years ago with harvester pt 300 gr will never go back, 6 deer with my muzzleloader, they are on point haven had a deer go more than 40 yards After impact

 

I shoot a LHR redemption with with 80gr( by weight =120 gr )of blackhorn 209 with 300gr pt Scorpion.

 

Really not that bad. If you can follow thru with a bow, you can wait for the click, swoosh, boom!!

 

What’s the farthest you’ve shot? I’ve heard of people shooting 200 yards with a muzzle loader. I don’t have that far of a shot, the farthest I’ve shot and killed one is 120 yards.

 

80 yards To date, I feel very confident in 100 yd. when I sighted in was able to keep in the area of a half dollar at a 100. Cleaned and put away that was good enough for me. One thing I like about the blackhorn 209 is the ability to shoot more with out cleaning at range, was able to get like 5 shots with out running a patch, it is much cleaner burning. I love the stuff

 

With the Pyrodex pellets I could shoot 3 times and if I had to shoot a 4th I had to find a tree to finish getting the bullet seated if I didn't clean it.

When I first started muzzle loader hunting I was shooting FFFg powder, it was nasty!

 

New bullets just came in. Hopefully I can get it sighted in Sunday afternoon.

 

I bought this EZ loader 20+ years ago. It’s handy.



Thompson Center started making one not long ago, it has a measurement thing on it which isn’t accurate. I loaded it with 80 grains from a brass measuring thing. It does have a place for 4 primers too.

 

Just shot the muzzle loader, close enough for me. Top left one is 6.5 creedmoor. Found the plastic about 20 yards away.

 

That will drop them

 

I have to agree with you now on this Blackhorn powder after shooting yesterday. I loaded 80 grains in my Encore with the new Hornady hollow points and had to make zero adjustments. I shot 3 times, the 3rd load was as easy as the first.

My wife shot her muzzle loader, I loaded it with triple seven pellets 3 times, I had trouble getting the 3rd one in. Needless to say, she'll be switching as well

I just got done cleaning both of our guns, mine was so much easier to clean than hers was. I have a friend who shoots triple seven, hopefully he needs some more

 

When I first started I was so worried and used the pelts I wish I never did

 

Taking mine out to night hope to make her bark

 

Good luck

 

To much wind there is always tomorrow morning.

 

I can’t wait for Saturday morning. Supposed to be 37°

 

So both deer down this year with my blackpowder , both double lung at 60 thru and thru on both. Harvester scorpion 300gr are awesome. Both bucks ran about 20 yd after contact. Now I can’t find any blackhorn 209 any more .