Whats the advantage

[gregrn43]

I read lots of threads on here about using Blackhorn 209. I was wondering does this pwd give a real advantage over pyrodex or regular black pwd?

[UncleNorby]

I have never shot this powder, but in looking at the charts it does seem to get better velocities with heavy bullets. Guys that use the powder vouch for the greatly reduced fouling and easier clean-up.

I will buy some when I run out of Pyrodex. This may take a while though. The last few years I have only shot say 4-6 shots at the range and then a shot or two at deer. At this rate the jug of Pyrodex could last 3-4 more years. Maybe the price of BH will come down by then.

[Urban_Redneck]

No swabbing between shots
Less corrosive
Cleans up with Hoppes or similar solvents
Consistent
Progressive burning, higher velocities

Check out their website, it's not the right powder for all rifles.

[kb1]

Originally Posted by Urban_Redneck

No swabbing between shots
Less corrosive
Cleans up with Hoppes or similar solvents
Consistent
Progressive burning, higher velocities

Check out their website, it's not the right powder for all rifles.

all this plus i seem to get a little better accuracy(less fliers)im' guessing because it does not settle much while measuring doing volume measurements.....karl

[Underclocked]

Plenty of plus points but a few negatives - severe carbon fouling of breech plugs and high price being two.

[kb1]

Originally Posted by Underclocked

Plenty of plus points but a few negatives - severe carbon fouling of breech plugs and high price being two.

sure can't argue with you on that,there's no perfect powder is there,i guess thats why i'm going to PA to get some real black.......karl

[lemoyne]

I believe that they all have a place, the traditional rifles will work best with black or pyrodex, the plunger type inlines that use #11 or musket caps work well with pyrodex, the sealed action 209 primer rifles should work with all powders if the design is good but can excel with Blackhorn if loaded right. Blackhorn is a progressive burning powder and works best at certain pressure levels, these are easy to reach with the heavier bullets but require a tight sabot and certain minimum of powder with light bullets.[ my personal opinion after burning a couple of cases]

[ronlaughlin]

gregrn43

To my knowledge, BH209 is the only black powder substitute that is not hygroscopic. What this means is, it does not attract water vapor. This fact gives me peace of mind when i go hunting, but never get a shot, thus my rifle is unfired at the end of the hike. I leave my loaded rifle in the cab of my truck overnight, for days at a time without worry that the barrel will rust because the powder attracts and holds water.

Another positive for BH209 is the granules of powder are all exactly the same from the top of the bottle to the bottom. In the bottles of 777 that i once used, the powder granules became finer and finer toward the bottom of the bottle. This, obviously, makes it difficult to measure loads accurately, and has led to many shooters 'weighing' their charges. With BH209 volume measures are accurate from the top of the bottle to the bottom. This allows me to measure all my charges at home with my Redding 3br measure; dropping the charges into Lane's Tubes, and using these tubes to load my rifle whilst at the range or hunting. Each tube contains virtually the same amount of powder by weight or volume.

Some rifles do not work well with BH209, as others have said. I feel fortunate that mine do, because it is the only powder i now use.

[TRACKER]

Bottles are smaller but also use LESS grains of powder so it pans out ...
My biggest problem is trying to find a local gun shop that sells it ..
For me to try it its $30 or so at Cabelas then $10. shipping , then $20. or more for the hazmat ..
$ 60. plus for one can,,, OOOOUUCCHH ....

[his guzzi]

The advantage of leaving it loaded is not a big one for me as i have left mine loaded with 777 for 3-4 weeks and no problems. Just seal off the barrel. Never had any problems that way with real BP either. I can understand the clean up and higher pressure but i can live with plain pyrodex for what i do. Seems there is no perfect powder yet. Maybe in time. The Savage sounds good and almost bought one but then is smokeless really muzzle loader hunting. Sometimes i think we get too much technology. Kind of like the Electra. Seems it hasn't gone over too big. Maybe i am just an old fart that resists too new of development. Time will tell what is best. Have fun and shoot whatever works best for you.