BH 209 vs T7 - Cost of Shooting
 

Too cold to shoot today and I had some time on my hands. I need to buy another jug of BH 209 and the cost was bugging me a little. I'm sure this has been done before but here is what I found to be the additional cost shooting BH 209 vs. T7:

First, I got the scale out and found my pet load of 100 grains by volume weighs 74 grains. This is equal to .168 ounces. On my scale, both T7 and BH 209 came out to weigh the same.

10 ounces of BH 209 = 60 100 grain / volume shots

16 ounces of T7 = 95 100 grain / volume shots

Todays prices at Cabelas:

BH 209 - $31.99
T7 - $27.99

Cost per shot:

BH 209 $0.55
T7 $0.29

A typical range session for me is around 20 shots.

Bh 209 - $11 / session
T7 - $5.80 /session

For the additional $ 5.20 I can skip the swabbing at the range and have an easier time cleaning up at home. I'm not saying one is better than the other but to me, it's worth the extra five bucks to have a more enjoyable session where I can focus on shooting vs swabbing the gun. I'll save the T7 for my White and the Cappers.

Little off topic: Ive been thinking of switching to BH209, because of all the good reviews I have heard. Ive typically been shooting T7's. What do you use to measure your 209, and or carry it in the field? and do you have to pack it into the barrel when loading?

No need to pack, just make sure the bullet is on top of the powder. Don't bounce your rod up and down on the powder as I have seen some do at the range. The T/C uview seems to be one of the most accurate volume measures, I have used and is always my go to. As far as how to carry in the field, lanenebraska sells the best tubes to put your weighed charges in.

You are paying way to much for your Blackhorn. Check Powder Valley for price buy by the case if you have to have it shipped.

Buy it here. Not sure if it has gone up any but it was $27 with free shipping and no Hazmat fee. http://www.edsgunshop.com/

Like Lee, i purchase BH209 from Powder Valley. The last purchase of BH cost me less than $2.47 per ounce, including shipping, and hazmat fee. Hazmat fee is the same for 10 ounces or 10 pounds.

You all can have BH, I'll stick with my Pyro, it's much more reliable and consistant and cheaper......plus I like the smoke and cleaning, after all I do shoot a BP MLer and that's part of it. If I wnated everything easy I'd shoot a Rifle and forget MLing.
(BP)

I will give ya cheaper but, i think you will be hard pressed to find a more consistant sub. As far as reliable, I have never had a FTF with any of my Knights or T/C's. If it works with your BP it works, period.

Carlos got a deal with western powders but said the prices were a bit higher than he wanted. Should be interesting to see what he comes up with as a final price to your door.

i have to agree with bp, i have more trouble cleaning bh209 then i do any other subs.

as for accuracy between t7 and bh209, there is not enough difference between the two for me to justify switching any of my inlines that are able to shoot bh209.

cost, the yahoos that run the local shops have the prices getting closer and closer. you can always hit your local walmart this time of year and stock up on pyro rs (if the carry it) for $15 or less.

I definitely agree with this.

+2 I've never had a FTF in the Knights or my Omega.

I know prices vary but I just used todays Cabelas prices to set the price for the cost comparison.

Again, I'm not claiming which is a better powder, I'm just putting a price on convenience. It's up to each shooter to choose the best powder for their needs.

I use BC Bore Scrubber for clean-up and it's a 2-3 patch job at the end of the day. Nothing gets by the the teflon tape so the BP gets a quick vinegar soak and I'm done in few minutes..... I like that.

I don't use BH209 as I only have one inline and it rarely leaves my gun safe. Almost all my ML shooting is done with my traditional rifles. That being said, Today there seems to be almost as many choices between BP substitutes plus original BP as there are ML rifle manufacturers. What is the best? Who knows and who cares? There is no sense getting into a debate over it. These froums are her to share information and opinions and not to argue the 'mine is better than your's ' argument.
I shoot almost exclusively Goex BP and Pyrodex RS and P. Yeah, it takes me longer to clean my rifles. and yes I swab between shots. But I don't care. To me that is the fun and nostalgia of muzzleloading. If I want to just go out and shoot, shoot, shoot, I'll grab one of my centerfire rifles. And if I really want to save money, I will take a .22 rimfire out and fire away.

Have you ever even tried Blackhorn 209? If not, you should pick up 1 can and give it a try. You never know how you will like it if you don't try it. I'm not trying to push the stuff on you but I think it's a neat powder and I like to play with it. I do all my hunting with Pyrodex pellets or Goex fffg, but that may change with further use of Black horn. Who knows? But for now it's fun to play with. I feel buying and shooting new rifles, and experimenting with new powders and bullets is part of what muzzle loading is all about. Give it a try and have some fun.

Considering the equipment, this may not end up well. His rifle have breech plug that are not known to be good at igniting BH209. What will probably happen if he try BH209, is he will suffer hang fire. Chances are, if he try BH, he will end up with an even stronger anti-BH opinion.

Make that a +3, I feel it is the best sub on the market.

Your right Ron it would'nt end up well. Like you mentioned My Accura V1 is'nt set up to ignite BH, I'd need a modified plug. Plus it would take me too long to get to know BH as in what I can and cant do with it. I know Pyro, how it acts, what I can and cant do with it and how all my MLer's react to it accuracy and velocity wise.
Im sure BH is a great powder, if I was new to this game and started out using BH then it would be a different story. But the few added avantages BH does vs the negative ones it also has does'nt justify changing from Pyro to BH when Pyro does'nt have any disavantages to me except a dirty barrel and I dont mind cleaning it, it's part of BP shooting.
(BP)

Current price is 29 for 10 oz.- least what I paid.

JW

Bonechaser,
I tried searching for lanenebraska and can find it. Do you have an address or phone # for them? I'd like to see their tubes.
Thanks man, JS

These are Lanes Tubes on Ebay.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Blackhorn-20...item2a143cd669

Click here for Lane's contact info. Deal direct rather than through e-bay.

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/muzz...edloaders.html

I sent him a PM as well.....