Western Powders gives both VOLUME and WEIGHT in their load data. If measuring by volume works for you then do not stop.

http://www.blackhorn209.com/wp-conte...loaderdata.pdf

ok guys thanks, i just didnt want to blow up my encore should i decide to mess with some 150 grain charges. Last year i was shooting 200grain bullet with 120g of bh and it worked really well, 2 inches high at 50, 4high a 100 and minute of deer at 200.

Wow, that is a really, really great-looking gun! I have never seen an Encore that I liked…but yours rocks! I want one.

Oh, and nice shooting too!!

Agreed. BH209 is a non-hydroscopic, progressive burning powder and is more accurately measured by weight, though volume does just fine. If I were loading to get the best group possible with BH209, I would use my scale, no doubt.

It's that easy.

I have owned four or five Encores and i believe they are only rated to 100grn by volume with a 200grn saboted bullet. I don't have a manual to verify handy but check yours out. Your Encore manual should also explain volume loading. I would be very surprised if your manual mentions weighing charges.

Do not follow the instructions from the powder manufacture on your Muzzleloader ever unless they have tested your ML and can provide pressure testing with that powder.

I do know Western Powders never did pressure testing in the Encore/Omega to verify what the gun can handle safely. What i mean is, they cant support going above what the gun manufacture recommends. I think your safe with 120grns by volume and a 200grn saboted bullet. Just because i think it, doesn't make it right or safe.

The safest way i have found is to follow the manual supplied with the Muzzleloader. They built it, and they understand what it can do. They have shot and tested all the powders whether they list them or not.

Page 59 of the manual is load data provided with FFg powder.
http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals...der_Manual.pdf

I did not see in the manual that SL posted a week ago for the 2011 Knights specifically give BH209 data.

It's funny how when I speak with Don at Western Powders he refers to the Omega plug being their favorite to ignite BH209. Guess he just thinks it just looks pretty.

I do not see why everything with you leads to a pissing match? Does it or does it not say in the Western Powder load data what volume charges equal in weight? Why is it a big deal to you other then to make yourself look like the expert you THINK you are? He asked a question and I answered him, he does not need you trying to scare him.

I didn't know you said anything wrong???? If you did i did not see it.

Follow the recommend volume loads your manual suggests. That's all pretty simple and safe.

If telling someone to follow the gun manufacture manual and not the powder company makes me an expert, well i guess i am a expert. Why would you ever argue following a manual????? Did you ever think you might be the expert?????

Not sure but you sound like a person that doesn't like to follow rules very well. As far as Muzzleloading, keep it safe clean and simple.

Great shooting, where did you get the stock and forend ?

Grouse – You are thinking in black and white. According to your thought process, no-one should use any powder whatsoever except FFG BP and Pyrodex in an Encore since the manual doesn’t give load data for it. Nothing else but Pyrodex or real BP is acceptable in an Encore. No T7, White Hots, American Pioneer, Goex Pinnacle, and definitely NO BH209. In fact, no BP FG or FFFG, since the manual doesn’t say so. Not to mention your max load for the Encore is way off…at least for the barrel Omega45 has.

No, the manual doesn’t mention weighing charges. And with BP and just about every other BP sub I am aware of, you shouldn’t, due to the fact that it is hydroscopic. BH209 is not hydroscopic. Therefore it can more accurately be weighed than measured by volume. If you find that 115gr BH209 by volume is your most accurate load, you could measure out 115gr by volume as accurately as possible and dump it into your powder scale to find out what its equivalent weight is (I have no idea what that is, let’s say it’s 75gr by weight). You could then weigh 75gr BH209 1,000 times, and never once would it surpass the 115gr mark on your powder measure. Conversely, if you were to measure out 115gr BH209 by volume a 1,000 times and dump it onto your scale, you’d get 1,000 different readings on the scale (to the tenths or hundredths place) because measuring by volume just ain’t as accurate.