Giving the Blackhorn 1 more chance... help please!
 

(Thanks for your PM response to this issue MD! No need for you to read all this again)

I'm bound and determined to get Blackhorn to shoot in my Optima Elite. I have heard too much good stuff about it (and don't want the rest of what I bought go to waste). I first tried it a while back and had hang/misfires. I was directed to try CCI 209M primers, which I tried. No good. I contacted Western Powders via email and they instructed me to use #32 drill bit and a torch tip cleaner to keep my BP clean. I took it out and tried that, but my first shot hung and the second took 2 primers to get it to fire. I once again contacted the Blackhorn people, this time on the phone, and I spoke to a fellow named Don. He was very helpful and friendly, and figures my BP's flash hole is too narrow. He sent me the BP out of his CVA that he's been shooting, and it seems to have a larger flash hole. He asked me to send mine in for them to examine and possibly drill out (for no charge! woo hoo!) I am going to take it out this weekend and try it out.

I am an experienced muzzleloader shooter, but this stuff is throwing me for a loop. I've worked up loads with BP, Pyrodex, T7 ffg, various pellets, etc. This is the first time I've ever had to worry about getting my powder to ignite! I'm wanting some of you Blackhorn users to step me through your shooting process in case I am missing anything here. Starting with a squeaky clean bore... snap a few primers to clear the flash hole? How often should I clean out my BP? Do you clean your barrel between shots when fine-tuning your hunting load to simulate hunting on a clean barrel? Or do you snap primers or fire a round the night before the hunt before loading your hunting round in a fouled barrel?

I don't care how obvious, any tips would be appreciated. I am hoping like heck that the next outing with this powder impresses me as much as it does everyone else. I am guessing that the different breech plug will do the trick. If it doesn't, I guess I'll be interested in trying one of those vent liners I hear about...

Here is what I have to work with:
a can of BH209
T/C XTP's (240gr?) w/ supplied MagExpress sabots
Hornady 240gr XTPmags w/ supplied sabots
250gr SST's with Lo-Drag sabots
couple sizes of Shockwaves
CCI 209M primers
Remington STS primers

Assuming I can get the stuff to fire, I plan on trying 3-shot groups of each bullet/sabot over 90, 100, and 110 grains of BH to see what it can do at 100 yards. Based on what I've seen and read, I'm hoping to get the XTP Mags to group well at 100.

Thank you for any help y'all can give me

rw

A breech plug that has a powder pocket like the Omega breech plug will probably cure your problems. You can create a powder pocket in your CVA breech plug, by installing a vent liner. This installation has been discussed several times on this forum.

Another way to get a CVA breech plug with a powder pocket is to make one from a grade 8 bolt.

However you do it, a breech plug with a powder pocket should make your BH209 issues go away.

Your not doing anything wrong. The bottom line is, this powder was not made for CVA'S especially. The powder works well in the Triumph, Encores and Omega's with hot primers. fed209a, and CCIm. That's pretty much all you should use in those ML's. BH209 is also compatible with Knights with the concave breech plug. All other plugs wont work consistently in the Knights. The Savage was really the only factory ML as of late that could reliably shoot BH209 with most primers right out of the box.

I highly would not recommend drilling out a CVA plug and adding a vent-liner. I know people have and have good results. The problem is, you are taking away the hardness of the plug. CVA plugs are made of the cheapest materials you can buy. As a matter of fact, the entire guns are cheap. And obviously that's why they are cheap to buy.

My suggestion would be use 777 powder. You can do the same with it as you can BH209. Sure, a little more cleaning and swabbing between shot's but i'm sure your used to that already.

Or have a breech plug custom made for it with better materials and then shoot BH209.

BH209 is a great powder. By far my favorite. But i still can accomplish the same thing with 777 with a little effort.

PM me your address; i will mail this plug to you, and it will cure your issues with BH209.

CVA plug is fine with blackhorn209, you dont need the powder pocket like ron posts, but for $13 ron will make you a plug for the accura/optima/wolf with that pocket. Good investment as i personally do like that pocket.

A .035" flash hole is recommended by BH209 for the best performance along with cci 209M primers.

Ive shot 22 cans of BH209 in my CVA's with and without the enlarged flash hole and performance has been amazing.

I know i already sent this in a PM but its just for the others with questions.

The above is brought to you by the follow:

Lehigh bullets,

Knight Rifles - born to hunt

:lolabove:

I'm sure they appreciate the advertising from a true Muzzleloader enthusiast like yourself.

Grouse, I would imagine that words such as that are making MountainDevil grit his teeth!:biggrin:

Thanks for the responses guys!

rw

The internet is a crazy place. Just be safe and look at all options. Having a good breech plug made is less then a can of BH209.