powder selection

bigtim6656 · 11-01-2009, 02:36 PM

Ok seems everyday i change my mind as to what i will use for my triumph.
I know what bullet i am going to use. The tc shockwave starting with the black sabot. My plan was pellets but now i am unsure.
Should i use 777, pyrodex, blackhorn or what. What are the pros and cons of each. Also how many shots can i get out of a bottle of each. Figure 100 to 150 grains per shot. The omega scope i will be getting is said to be dead on with the shockwave and 150 grains of pyrodex. Is it cheaper to shoot loose powder then pellets? ALso whats the best way to have a back up shot ready? I saw some of the shot containers on cabelas but was not sure which to get. Would i be better to weigh my shots into a tub then using a volume depencer? What flask does the best job for loading the right weight of powder in the field? Also what is the cheapest sale i can get to weigh the powder out?

bigtim6656 · 11-01-2009, 02:40 PM

ALso from what i read 777 is twice as much as pyrodex. Is that right?

revpilot · 11-01-2009, 03:12 PM

I think it amounts to how much your gonna shoot and how much you want to spend on powder or pellets. I personally prefer to shoot Blackhorn 209 out of my triumph and i only use 90gr it holds the tightest group for me and it will drop anything i will ever hunt! I enjoy the 2-3 patch cleanup, and i love shooting 20 times with no change in accuracy and no SWABBING between shots.....I only shoot 8-10 cans a year so i can live with the price. If i were shooting over 20lbs like some guys here,then it might not be worth the benefits.....

bigtim6656 · 11-01-2009, 03:56 PM

If i can do two cans to start off with and a can a month or every other month in the off season i will be happy. If the black horn is the better stuff then i can deal with the price.

Quote:

Originally Posted by revpilot

I think it amounts to how much your gonna shoot and how much you want to spend on powder or pellets. I personally prefer to shoot Blackhorn 209 out of my triumph and i only use 90gr it holds the tightest group for me and it will drop anything i will ever hunt! I enjoy the 2-3 patch cleanup, and i love shooting 20 times with no change in accuracy and no SWABBING between shots.....I only shoot 8-10 cans a year so i can live with the price. If i were shooting over 20lbs like some guys here,then it might not be worth the benefits.....

saxman1 · 11-01-2009, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by revpilot

I think it amounts to how much your gonna shoot and how much you want to spend on powder or pellets. I personally prefer to shoot Blackhorn 209 out of my triumph and i only use 90gr it holds the tightest group for me and it will drop anything i will ever hunt! I enjoy the 2-3 patch cleanup, and i love shooting 20 times with no change in accuracy and no SWABBING between shots.....I only shoot 8-10 cans a year so i can live with the price. If i were shooting over 20lbs like some guys here,then it might not be worth the benefits.....

Same here Rev
I'm shooting 90 grns BH in my 45 and it is very nice shooting that powder,I also like the no swabbing and easy cleaning.
I still use the others but am hunting with 90 BH.
With our little deer I think it will get er dun

txhunter58 · 11-01-2009, 05:26 PM

I use 90 grains of Blackhorn for my elk load and it has taken an elk the last 2 years (each with one shot). I would certainly try BH first and if that creates any problems, price or otherwise, then reconsider.

For those powders that have both pellets and loose, loose is much cheaper and it is easier to taylor a load. Hopefully BH 209 will continue to come down in price. Cabelas has it for $25 right now.

150 gr of any powder is way too much in my book for anything in north america, but that is another topic

lemoyne · 11-01-2009, 05:27 PM

I see that a couple of things have not been mentioned. The shelf life of Blackhorn is like the shelf life of smokeless which is very long. If you can shoot good enough and have the time and patience to work out the best loads it is more accurate for some of us I never got half inch groups until I started using Blackhorn. Be sure to use regular reloading 209's the special ones for muzzleloading not only cost twice as much they do not work with Blackhorn. Be sure you have at least 60 pounds of pressure when you seat your sabot for best accuracy. Lee

txhunter58 · 11-01-2009, 05:30 PM

Here is another link that is useful: http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/LoadsBallistics4.html

But remember that BH209 is sold in 10 ounce containers (not 16 ounce like pyrodex or 777)

Pglasgow · 11-01-2009, 06:25 PM

Tim,

Everyone seems to have covered the powders very well. In regards to a powder measure, I would recommend a getting a good one. The one I use is brass and has a spout which swivels. So one fills the barrel, taps it to settle the grains, and then closes the spout which slices the excess right of the top. I think it is very consistent in measuring the same quantity each time. TC makes a clear plastic version also. When their stuff goes on sale yo might pick one up pretty cheap.

kb1 · 11-02-2009, 12:38 AM

I'm also a big fan of blackhorn 209,i seem to get slightly better accuracy with it which i'm guessing is due to it's consistensey with a volume measure......karl