I looked at the rack and wondered what I had not shot for a while. Then I saw the Black Diamond XR all alone on the shelf. I knew it had to go. And since I had a brand new box of Pyrodex RS pellets I wanted to play with some magnum loads, just for a kick you might say.

I new that 50 yards was not much of a test for the rifle so I took a snow shovel and began to work. I finally stopped and decided 63 yards instead of 100 yards,was just fine for the rifle. That moving snow is hard work. So I set the new paper target up at 63 yards and brought out the gear.

The Thompson Center Black Diamond XR has a 1.5-4.5x32mm Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn scope on it. It has Woods Trophy mounts and has never been touched for a long time. I knew it was right on at 50 yards with loose powder so the pellets would be interesting. I was using Winchester W209 primers also and spit patching between shots.

It was 26 degree so it was plenty warm. And there were only a few snow flakes falling and not much wind. I decided to just swab the bore with a dry patch. Now understand this rifle is not treated with any bore conditioner. It has Birchwood Casey Sheath in the bore. Usually I alcohol patch it, but decided to see what would happen.



I loaded 2 of the 50 grain pellets and a 250 grain Shockwave in the black sabot they come with and shot. #1 hit was way off. Even I was surprised. Three inches to the left. So I took and spit patched the rifle. No dry patch and loaded again, repeating the process for shots 2-4. That three shot group looked real good to me.

I then loaded 150 grains of powder and the same shockwave. I picked out a lower right bulls eye and cut loose. I spit patched for all the shots. And I did adjust my POA for the last shot.



I know the rifle likes 120 grains of loose Pyrodex RS but it sure did not seem to like 150 grains of pellets. So I decided to go back to 100 grains of powder.

I then spit patched and made an eight click scope adjustment up on the rifle. And shot the last two Shockwaves in the container at the middle bulls eye. 5&6 were pretty good.

I then decided to call it a day. I was kind of tuckered out from shovelling snow. And I had a rifle to clean. But it was a lot of fun shooting the BD with pellets. Two pellets and that Shockwave is without doubt a good load.

Great groups Cayugad! I don't have the XR, however, I love my Black Diamond. It shoots great groups with two 777 pellets at 100 yards.

cayugad

Excellent report - and shooting is a ton of fun...

I really wanted to get out today and dirty the White - but honey doos, my sister-in-laws stuck cat (slid sideways in the snow)and packing up last seasons hunting clothes has gotten in the way so maybe tomorrow...

I am going to shoot some Speer .451/300 grain Uni-Cors and the plan is/was no patching until I can not get the bullet to seat properly - I am betting on 10 shots.... No I take that back i am going to run one dry patch after the first shot - then see how long I can go...

I did the same thing .I took my 1970 something TC hawken out of the safe and took it with me today hoping to shoot up some old lead and Pyrodex . I haven't shot it since I got the Knight inline. But by the time I was done with the Encore I got cold and sissy'd out.

Nice shooting looks like it was there just needed a little direction

This Black Diamond XR is an amazing rifle. It is balanced, accurate, and dependable with the simple hammer striker design. But it fowls the scopes and breech and is a little on the dirty side. You have to remember, once this was T/C's top of the line rifle.

With this simple scope on it the thing really shoots good. I was shooting a paper plate one day at 150 yards off shooting sticks and once I learned the drop, the rest was easy.