Another Old Pyrodex Pellet Story

[Semisane]

I was watching one of our hunting club members do his annual pre-season sight-in of his Knight MK85 this week end. His load was two Pyrodex pellets and a 245 grain Powerbelt. He has a 3X9 scope on the gun and was shooting at 100 yards.

First three shot group - two pretty close together about two inches to the left of the bull & one three inches to the right of those and an inch higher. He adjusted the scope a tad.

Next three shot group - one right on the bull, one two inches left and high, one five inches low directly under the bull.

Next three shot group - two pretty close together several inches high and right, one just under the left side of the bull.

He was perplexed, saying "This load shot great last year".

"Same pellets?" I ask. "Yes" he says "still have half the box".

"Is that the load you lost that doe with last year" I asked. "Yeah" he says "Hit her good too - a big old nanny at no more than 40 yards. Followed blood a long ways but never did find her".

So I told him about people having bad experiences with old pellets, and with hot loading 245 grain Power Belts. Suggested he try those bullets over 80 grains of some T7 FFG I had in my bag. His first three shot group was 1 & 1/2". Second three shot group right at 2".

Now he's grinning and planning on picking up a jug of T7 and a powder measure this week. He'll be hitting the range again next week-end. "Are you sure 80 grains is enough?" he asks. "Yep" I say.

Next week-end I'll introduce him to Mr. XTP and Mr. Gold Dot, maybe even Mr. FPB.

[cayugad]

Well I had a somewhat similar experience with my oil man. He shoots a Knight Wolverine and shoots 70 grains of Pyrodex RS and a 245 grain Buffalo Bullet Ball-et. I was telling him about all the things that his rifle can shoot. He then told me him and his kid both shoot deer with this rifle. They've shot a deer each for the last several years with that load and never had to track one more then 50 yards.. He then looked at me and said, why would I change? He had me dead to rights there.

What I am getting at is, some people never change their minds. Others like in your case are willing to try new things.

[Breechplug]

I guess it all comes down to how the pellets were stored. I have had boxes of Pyrodox Pellets that were 3+ years old and never had a problem, I store them in My Cedar Chest.I usually buy new every season but I bought 3 boxes one year and had to store em. I was wondering myself if they'd be o.k. and thankfully they were. I now use Pyrodox Powder (made the switch) and we'll see how it stores.
Yes, always try your old powder and pellets, better to be safe than sorry when Mr. Old Boone & Crockett shows up.
How old were the pellets he was using? were they just from the season befor?
BP

[Semisane]

How old were the pellets he was using? were they just from the season befor?

Two years old.

[MountainDevil54]

Ahhhh another happy powerbelt shooter! Good job Semisane!