BH209 test
 

I always read that people say you must have a tight bullet sabot combination to shoot BH209. I have tested that theory before BH209 was on the market and could not ever prove that to be true. So today after reading the other thread I decided to test again.

When I got home today I loaded up my 50cal knight mountaineer with a special made .450 bullet to test this theory. I also used a harvester short black crush rib sabot. Of course I hate those sabots. Knight rifles to me and most others have larger diameter bores then other inline muzzleloaders today. So I loaded and shot 3 shots of 100grns by volume of BH209. First shot was with a Winchester primer, 2nd was with a federal primer, and third was with a Remington sts primer. No delays and instant ignition. So as I found out many years ago no issues.

So after doing this I loaded up the gun again and left it outside. The temp tonight is supposed to be -4 with wind chill reaching -20. In the morning I will fire the gun again before going to work. After that I will load it again in the cold and then bring inside all day. When I get home I will bring the gun back outside all night and fire the next morning.

I will post more results in the morning.

I should note, I am using the proper breech plug for BH209. 5/32 flame channel and tapped for a .031 vent liner.

What's the bullet's weight Grouse?

I think it's 247grns?? My 86 year old hunting buddy couldn't load a .452 250grn Lehigh bullet in his Knight vision. So I had them make him a .450 bullet. I believe it's right around 247grns now but not positive on that.

I believe most of us said you need a tight conical. I would think any sabot would work.

I had some loose fitting Thor bullets that wouldn't work with BH. The primer would fire, and just push the powder and bullet out about 5 feet.

I got lucky one time using BH 209. The one and only time I have short started a bullet (FPB conical). When I pulled the trigger, the gun went pop (primer) but the BH 209 did not ignite, and it just pushed the bullet out on the ground. Boy was I lucky!!

.. and that is why Blackhorn just may be the safest powder to use in a muzzle loader.

Fired the gun off this morning with no problem. I loaded it up in the cold and took in the house to shoot off tonight or put back outside and shoot in the morning.

Grouse45, this is interesting.

Not BH209 but relevant-

several years back I lent a Renegade to a buddy of mine for the season with the admonition to bring it back clean; when returning it to my shop he mentioned it was ready to go which I took to mean it was cleaned, lubed, and ready for storage.

What he actually meant was that he hadn't fired it at all and it was still charged with a prb and 777, as I found out almost one year later while firing a cap to foul the barrel! :jaw:

So that was 11 full months in a cabinet, in an unheated (at the time)mudroom, exposed to the cold of winter, the heat and humidity of summer, as well as everything in between- went off instantly.

I was both surprised and impressed.

Hows the barrel? I guess that would be tough to tell with a Flintlock im assuming??

No, he fired a cap. Caplock.