If it was not for the crud ring some people experience with Triple Seven powder, Triple Seven and Blackhorn would be very equal. AS this seems like a real sticking point with some. Or at least Blackhorn would be harder to compete with it. And I am not saying BlackHorn is not a good powder.

I know the swabbing aspect seems important to many that shoot BlackHorn 209. To me it means nothing. When I am on the range, I have all the time in the world. So if I have to spend a minute or two swabbing between shots, if a Black Horn shooter was side by side to me.. they'd probably be waiting for their barrel to cool anyway. Swab with alcohol, and chemically, shouldn't your barrel cool faster as alcohol increases evaporation which also means release of heat faster?

The shot to shot consistency would also be very close. I get excellent results with Triple Seven shot to shot. As long as I swab between shots. And the Blackhorn I get great consistency after about the third shot. For some reason I find I need to foul the bore of the rifle with BH.

But when you want to compare or argue which powder is better. Here is the big kicker.. besides price mind you. I own over 40 muzzleloaders and I can shoot BlackHorn 209 safely and effectively out of two of them. Guess how many of those rifles I can shoot Triple Seven out of? So which is the better powder?

Cost wise.. both are almost the same price where I live.
Availability.. I can buy Triple Seven at three shops in the city. Blackhorn 209 must be ordered or pay an outrageous price for it.
Shot to shot consistency.. if I swab, again they are about the same.
Power.. since I seldom shoot very heavy sabot loads with large powder charges.. it looks like Triple Seven has an edge in the velocity department, or just as good.

So if I had one or even two rifles that COULD SAFELY shoot BlackHorn 209 and I was not an avid shooter... Blackhorn would be probably the powder of choice. But if I was a gun fanatic and owned a number of rifles... which powder do you think would best serve me?