Trying to figure out if I can use BH209 in my Traditions Thunderbolt. I would like to try it out but this close to the season I don't want to mess with much. I really would like a new gun but what I want is just to far out of reach at the moment. So please give me as much info as you can on the Thunderbolt.
G

I am not aware of the ignition system on the Thunderbolt. And I understand that the name can be deceiving. So I will ask.. it shoots a 209 primer instead of a #11 or musket cap, right? And the ignition system is not exposed, meaning... looking at the breech can you see the primer sitting there? If you can I would suspect it can not shoot blackhorn 209.

A certain ignition system is required to set off the blackhorn in a consistent manner. And when I was looking at a 10 ounce jug of it the other day, debating if I wanted to give Gander Mountain $34.00 for it... I asked myself... does the present powder I shoot get the job done? And is it that important to shoot blackhorn? So if you have doubts about whether your rifle will shoot it or not, its an expensive gamble. Especially if the rifle shoots good with other powders.

x2 what Cayugad said. I can't tell you for sure if it will work with your particular gun as I have no experience with it.
I can tell you that BH209 is a great powder. I'm almost done with my first can of it. That said I'm not sure if I'll buy a second or not solely based on price alone. If they dropped the price $10 or so per can I would like it a lot better.

most likely not as the traditions uses the steel spring primer retainer.

Here's a link to Blackhorn's website that explains what is needed for reliable iginition:

http://www.blackhorn209.com/specs/ignition-guidelines/

I don't think the Thunderbolt has the sealed ignition that BH requires, though I could be wrong on that.

Your gun is a bolt action using a 209 primer, you must use a shotshell 209 and cannot (should not) use any muzzleloading primers. There should be no head space between the hammer and primer. It is set up like all my Traditions Lightning Bolts (earlier made guns) that have bolt actions and when I close the bolt it covers the primer totally and the hammer kocks back in the bolt and when it goes off that hammer is tightly against that primer. All my 209 breech plugs have a really narrow flash channel that may be an issue for this pwder. I think it would work but you need to pay attention to the flash hole maintenance and you may need to change your breech plugs often with this powder if you shoot a lot. I have not shot it in my older guns as it works well with Pyrodex and I do not see the need to spend more.