Decisions, Decisions
 

What do you guys think? I am going to Iowa in Jan. My Knight is sighted in and ready to go, good out to 125yds. But, I am thinking about purchasing an Encore for the trip. My knight is sighted in with 100gr.FF blackpowder. I would like to use the Pyrodex pellets (3=150gr) so I could reach out into the corn field a little bit further than my Knight. I also like the Primer rather than the cap, god knows what the weather will be like in Jan. I guess I just would like a little more gun just in case! Do ya think I'm nuts or what?

RE: Decisions, Decisions
 

If I had a muzzleloader that I trusted out to 125 yards, I would be more then happy. As for changing to the pellets VS the blackpowder, well I always say, if it works, why change it. Speed loaders are fast enough and easy to carry. I do not see the advantage of the pellets. A 100 grains of FF is a nice size charge, I think it would do you fine, but then again, if there is a reason for a new gun, well..... My friends shoot the new in lines that can handle 150 grains of powder, and not one of them shoots 150 grains. They all seems to center around 100-120 grains. They claim they get the best accuracy there. I still shoot a sidelock, and I load the .54 caliber with 90 grains, so all I will say is good luck hunting, and have a safe hunt.....

RE: Decisions, Decisions
 

Doesn't sound like nuts to me.........more like justifying a new toy (not a bad thing IMHO)!

The Encores are a nice system - but do you really want to start from scratch this close to your hunt??

If in your shoes, if I was REALLY concerned about the weather, I would just convert the Knight to the 209 primers and go from there. This would probably cause you to have to tweak your load some, but probably less than 10gr either way.......something easily handled in an hour or 2 at the range. Or you could just use one of the rain-proofing kits for cap-type guns.........a little rubber balloon over the muzzle and a tight plastic sleeve that slips over the cap/nipple interface. These work pretty good, though the sleeve over the cap will melt if fired - slowing a second shot considerably.

Also the 3-50gr pellet load is overrated - most of the powder just blows out the muzzle unused. You'll get just as much out of 120gr loose powder load - especially using those 295gr PowerBelts.......as 150gr is just too much powder to keep them accurate at the longer ranges you probably want. If 125gr of CleanShot (equilavent to 120gr of Pyro) will push a 400gr PR sabot out of my Knight USAK past 100yds with sub-MOA accuracy, why even bother with 150gr loads?


Edited by - Mark whiz on 11/14/2002 21:55:53

RE: Decisions, Decisions
 

I will have to second, MW on this one. You're trying to justify getting a new toy<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>, nothing wrong with that.Not only are the 150 grain loads are overated, they kick like a country mule. Of course, they are pretty good if you want to make a lot of noise! Only time I have used them was during Halloween to make a lot of noise and smoke on the haunted trail for the Fire Department's fundraiser.

I only use 2-50 grn. pellets and consistantly pop the &quot;X&quot; at 125 paces with that load. I guess that works out to around 110-115 yards.

Those who wish to appear wise among fools, among the wise seem foolish.
Marcus Fabius Quintilianus (35 AD - 100 AD)

RE: Decisions, Decisions
 

Thanks Fellas, I didn't want to spend the cash anyway!<img src=icon_smile_wink.gif border=0 align=middle>