Blackhorn 209 Loads

[zakjak711]

I'm buyin some BH 209 powder to try in my Encore. Never used it before.
Currently use 110 gr of 777 (loose) with MMP shorts/250 gr XTP.
777 leaves such a crud ring though. So I want a charge to work with the XTP/MMP sabots since it's taken 7 deer for me--most DRT's.
Also, how many rounds can you shoot before cleaning with BH 209?

Thanks for any help guys!

Zach

[MountainDevil54]

I stopped at around 67 shots.

[zakjak711]

BTW--Thanks for the lead on the BH powder, ordered from Carlos on Friday.

[lemoyne]

Been using it since it came out actually before as I had a trial can.
It is a really different powder the longer you shoot it the better it shoots, the only thing you have to worry about cleaning if you clean the oil out of your barrel to start with and fire 3 209 to dirty the barrel is the breach plug between the 209 and the touch hole if you have a standard breach plug a 1/8 inch drill will do it works best with a handle or I use a flash light batter screw driver from Walmart.
It is my experience that my best groups start after about 5 shots.
An other point of interest is cleaning when you are done shooting Hoppes #9 mixed 50/50 with alcohol works well so does Montana x cowboy cleaner and Montana X Blackhorn cleaner. Be careful what you put in your barrel for oil as I have found some thing can cause you to have to clean or have accuracy problems, i have had good results with Birchwood Casey Barricade and their synthetic gun oil also Montana X bore treatment. again the best way to get accuracy in the first few shots is a good scrubbing with alcohol before you start. Hope this helps.
PS:If you like it an intend to keep using it [believe it or not there are a few people that don't] then PM me for the mod to greatly reduce the carbon problem.

[zakjak711]

lemoyne,

Appreciate the help.
I currently use Ballistol or CLP on barrel to oil.

[ronlaughlin]

Originally Posted by zakjak711

............................ how many rounds can you shoot before cleaning with BH 209?..........................

Sometimes i think one would never have to clean the barrel; just keep shooting. The flame channel in the breech plug does need periodic cleaning. As Lemoyne suggested a 1/8" drill spun by hand now and again, works in the breech plug.

Don't buy into the malarky that BH isn't corrosive. The burnt residue of BH will absorb water, and will rust your barrel. To me it seems you could shoot a jillion shots at the range without cleaning the barrel, but when done shooting, whether you have made 1 shot, or 50 shots; cleaning the barrel is wise.

[zakjak711]

So as far as loads go--90-110 range?
See if barrel shoots good clean or dirty.

Zach

[builder459]

If your using 110 gr 777 now, then start out with 110 gr BH209 and see what kind of groups you get. you can always experiment up or down.i have shot up to 40 rds with no BP cleaning with a drill bit.if your worried about accuracy, give the BP a twirl with the bit, about every 10 rds..you will never look back at 777, once you use BH209..Ray

[txhunter58]

As expensive as the stuff is (bottle is 10 oz instead of 16), I would start at 90 grains and work up from there. My elk load this year is with 90 gr of BH 209. Plenty of power, and if you can get accuracy at lower volumes, why not save the money and your shoulder?

My last group this weekend was 2 & 1/2 inches at 100 yards after aprox 25 shots/no cleaning of barrel or breechplug. I quit with that group!

[rafsob]

Originally Posted by zakjak711

So as far as loads go--90-110 range?
See if barrel shoots good clean or dirty.

Zach

Whatever works in your gun! Just sitting here and telling you what works in my gun, may not work in yours. You need to go to the range and work at coming up with a good load for you gun. If not just go with whatever people, or the can tells you and accept the results and live with them.

Balistol is great for BP, but follow the instructions and use a good smokeless cleaner that is oil based. My Knight Vision cleans up nicely and fast. My only problems is my breech plug. I have to clean it out with a drill bit after shooting it many times.