1st Range Session w/ BH209. WOW!!
 

I tried the BH209 out this past Saturday in my Optima Elite. WOW I'm impressed. I tried three different loads using the Win 209 primers and 200gr Shockwaves. I started at 90gr of BH then 100gr and then 110 gr. I shot 4 shot groups and take the best three and take that group size. I always have one that I pull just a tad, so I feel that will give a better average. All of the best 3 of 4 groups were under 1.5" at 100yds. But the 100gr group, the best three made one big hole of right at 1" accross. This was also just shooting off a back pack by the way. I willtry and post a pic of the target. I didn't have to swab between shots like I did with the Shockey's Gold even though they claim you don't. I was noticing some moisture after each shot at the end of the barrel as some of the grains from the next load were wanting to stick to the sides of the barrel right at the end so I was wiping that off between shots.

One thing I noticed that I was concerned about, although I think I saw someone mention this before. I found a lot of the sabots after I was done shooting and almost all of them were missing petals. Most were mssing 2-3 of them. It didn't seem to be affecting accuracy, but I don't really like it. I'm sure it's because the BH is providing a lot more velocity than the Shockey's I was using. I think it's just the thicker .50/.40 sabot plastic is not flexible enought to have the petals just fold back. Shoul I rellay worry about it?

Clean up was pretty easy using Hoppes and the breech plug came out super easy. I am hooked. Anybody want about a 2/3 can of Shockey's.

Do NOT worry about the petals shearing off -- they are designed to do that. If they left them stiff enough to hold on, they would not flex back and release the bullet properly. The bullet is long done by the time any uneven petal shearing would affect the flight of the sabot.

Good to know. Thanks. Another thing, I think that 110gr is about as much as the base of the sabot can take. I noticed a couple had some very slight cracking around the bottom edge of the cup. I think the 100gr sweet load I found should be fine though.

My Omega gets 110gr 777 accurately then falls off after that with those bullets. I've never seen signs of the sabot fatigue though...was it hot and how long between shots? FWIW I've taken deer cleanly at 300+ yds with slightly lower velocity than you are likely getting with that load...so you should be GTG.

It was about 80-85 degrees out and I was probably taking about 3 minutes between shots. With that velocity and grouping I and happy and don't feel the need to push the load any higher. 100gr will be it. By the way, I measured the best 3 of the 4 shot group and it cam to right at 3/4". Here's a pic.

sounds like you have a great rifle, load and powder. Can't ask for more then that. Nice shooting.

Thanks. I am really liking it. With the right load these Bergarra barrels are really impressing me. So far the muzzy barrel is outshooting the .243 by about 1/4". I am still trying out some hand loads my Dad did for me for the .243.

BUMP looking for what other think about this new type of powder. I'm a pellet guy (777) and figure I'm trying in based on what i have read so far. Is it really that good to clean?

Well the thing you remember.. with BlackHorn 209 do not use water based products to clean it. Use a good quality solvent. Hoppe #9 or Montana X-treme Cowboy Solvent work real good. Even plain old alcohol works pretty good. Blackhorn is a great powder. I really like shooting it, but can not get it locally.

good ole WD-40 works fine for BH209 too....karl