Ohiohunter76

I've got a dumb question. But, here it goes is 100 grains ( by volume) of Blackhorn 209 is equal to 100 grains of pyrodex pellets. Dumb question I know but I'm switching to 209 from pyrodex. Thanks

Triple Se7en

Relating to energy/velocity, I would guess around 85 grains Blackhorn 209 (volume) would be equivalent to 100 grains / two pellets of Pyrodex.

BarnesAddict

The volumetric charge is closer to 70grs........

Read the load data for muzzleloading rifles:

http://www.blackhorn209.com/load-data/

Omega218er

I used to shoot pellets (2) and this year switched to Blackhorn. I started at 90 grains with a 300 grain XTP and while the recoil didn't rattle my teeth it was a fair amount more than with the pellets. Backed it down to 80 grains and the recoil was similar, maybe a bit more than with the two pellets but the accuracy was very good.

Triple Se7en

Isn't that '70' a weighted number differential, not a volume number that's compared to Pyrodex?

Isn't Blackhorn similar to 777, which carries a 15% diffference? I heard Blackhorn is a wee-bit more potent than 777, so maybe 20% difference, making it 100 Pyrodex and 80 Blackhorn?

Am I close there?

BarnesAddict

Yes and no. BH is still carries a "slight more" difference. And T7 and BH both are different then pyrodex. The heavier the charges with BH, the more the separation.

In "general", T7 should be reduced by 15% when using a maximum charge of loose propellant in 150gr magnum rifles, near 128grs volume. Different than the volumetric 150gr pellet charges. T7 can generate really high pressure spikes. When shooting pellets, they should never be broken, which can really spike pressures. BH on the other hand, doesn't create huge pressure spikes and is very linear.

Kathwacckkk

I weigh my charges, so 70 grains by weight is equal to 100 grains by volume, 77 grains weight = 110 volume.

If the original questions was leading to how the change will effect your Point of Impact (POI): I switched from 2 50 grain pellets of 777 in my triumph about 2 years ago. I stayed with the same 250gr unbonded yellow tip shockwave with the factory supplied black sabot. The shots with 100 grains (volume) of BH209 were ~ 14" higher then the two 777 pellets, but little to no right to left variation. I assume this is due to the greater seating pressure on the powder, BH209 having different burn characteristics, etc...

I realize you are switching from Pyrodex pellets, so it is not an apples to apples comparison. Just my experience, but at least you get some additional range time and see if this helps.

WV Hunter

Wow, that is a substantial difference!

BarnesAddict

Lets say you 100yd zero your rifle and do so using Western's conversion of volume to weight ratio of .7 (100gr volume X .7 = 70gr weight). Then increase your WEIGHED charge from 70grs to 75grs and watch the difference in POI height.

*** For those who may not realize it..... 120grs volume or 84grs by weight, is a MAXIMUM charge of BH209, regardless of any production muzzleloader that may indicate a 150gr maximum charge.

www.blackhorn209.com

Triple Se7en

WOW is right!!!
If that's the case then roughly 70 grains of Blackhorn volume is pretty close to 100 grains Pyrodex volume.

That's good to know (for me). I just received (for free) a opened container of Blackhorn 209 (minus 8-10 shots fired from it). So when I take my Vision and Omega to the range with Blackhorn, I now have a better understanding of what to expect on target paper, being I was shooting real blackpowder, which (volume-wise) is close to Pyrodex on target paper.

I was going to start with 15% less, but now I might expect to find 20-25% less needed in the real world.