New optima v2 problem.
11-01-2015 | 02:57 PM
#11
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 0
Burn rates with pellets are a concern when using too hot of a primer and to weak of a primer sometimes. So when I suggested trying a medium primer like Winchester 209, I just have the opinion that it may help you in the accuracy department and ensure a faster burn rate.
Too many posters here seem more concerned about keeping their breechplug cleaner - thus using the weakest primer as possible. They seem less concerned on the possibility that the type of primer they use, can affect their accuracy a wee-bit - can affect their shot-to-shot consistency a wee-bit too.
Not all barrels accept pellets snugly. Some bores are wide enough to leave pellet-related tiny gaps when ignition occurs and sometimes those gaps will create the faster burn rate, should you switch to a little hotter primer. So if your pellets are dropping the bore real easy and fitting a little sloppy at the breech, you may improve your target groups with a more complete, faster burn rate, using a little hotter primer.
Writer/author Randy Wakeman and bullet manufacturer Cecil Epp have stated multiple times that too hot of a primer with pellets can even push a bullet off the pellet powder, prior to a full ignition. So you want to draw a line in the sand and find the right strength primer that suits your bore best. Don;t be too concerned if your breechplug is a little dirtier with one type of primer over the other. You want the best accuracy..... period/exclamation point.
No - I'm debating this subject here. You are free to continue using the weak primers, or you can try the mid-level Winchesters next and see how you like them.
Glad to read you are finding better results after about 50 shots. The new ML is getting used to you .... and you are getting used to the new ML. Need any more help, feel-free to ask. Lots of good, smart board members here, with lots of experience shooting MLs.
Last edited by CalHunter; 11-02-2015 at 07:45 AM. Reason: Rule 2, 8, 12
11-01-2015 | 07:06 PM
#15
Giant Nontypical
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 5,612
Likes: 0
...Deleted by CalHunter...
You will know when i reply to YOU because i will quote you like i just did.
BTW in case you did not notice its GM54-120...im not sure what a GM154 is.
It's time to acknowledge Hillary's time has come. She deserves two full terms. Both in jail.
Last edited by CalHunter; 11-02-2015 at 07:49 AM.
11-01-2015 | 08:19 PM
#17
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 3,695
Likes: 1
From: Illinois
As The Forum Turns will return after this brief message from our sponsors. 
Sheesh what a soap opera this place is starting to resemble! The OP asked a very simple question that yes granted could be a fair amount of answers to his particular problem and you T7 just tried to turn a simple answer from GM into a personal attack towards you when there was absolutely none! Sorry to tell you T7 but this forum nor the world does NOT revolve around you! Both of your answers (GM's as well as yours T7) had merit until yours started the little snippy crap!
Now, glad to see that the OP may have solved his problem. Me personally, I would go with loose of anything. Pellets just don't give you the adjustability of loose. As T7 put it, you would be surprised at what a 5 grain adjustment can do for a group. Never got into those pellets when the craze hit.
Sheesh what a soap opera this place is starting to resemble! The OP asked a very simple question that yes granted could be a fair amount of answers to his particular problem and you T7 just tried to turn a simple answer from GM into a personal attack towards you when there was absolutely none! Sorry to tell you T7 but this forum nor the world does NOT revolve around you! Both of your answers (GM's as well as yours T7) had merit until yours started the little snippy crap! Now, glad to see that the OP may have solved his problem. Me personally, I would go with loose of anything. Pellets just don't give you the adjustability of loose. As T7 put it, you would be surprised at what a 5 grain adjustment can do for a group. Never got into those pellets when the craze hit.
11-02-2015 | 06:08 AM
#18
Super Moderator
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 7,488
Likes: 7
From: Wisconsin
You bet as the Forums turns.
Let's all of get back to this gents question please.
Any of you have a problem with a poster use the little Yellow triangle and report it.
Air it out by Posting for the public and a Public Hanging will ensue. It has come that far!
Dave...JW
Let's all of get back to this gents question please.
Any of you have a problem with a poster use the little Yellow triangle and report it.
Air it out by Posting for the public and a Public Hanging will ensue. It has come that far!
Dave...JW
11-02-2015 | 07:15 AM
#19
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,193
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
I shoot an Optima and find that 90 grains of loose powder gives me the best accuracy. For fun, I tried the 150 grains. Lots of recoil and so so accuracy. I like shockwaves in my Optima. I personally shoot the .40 caliber 200 grains shockwave with the blue 40/50 sabot. Amazing accuracy. And other members I trust said it is a deer killer. I never personally had the pleasure yet.
11-03-2015 | 06:43 AM
#20
Boone & Crockett
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 12,823
Likes: 5
From: Eastern PA
My opinion - take it or leave it - depending on how much cash you want to shell out is to get a powder measure and a bottle of Pyrodex RS and start working up a load with the bullet in the 250 - 300 grain range of your choice starting at 80 gr up to 110 gr.
Or you can get a breech plug designed for Blackhorn 209 and a bottle of Blackhorn 209 and do the same thing. I haven't had a .50 cal muzzleloader yet that didn't shoot a .429" - 300 gr Hornady XTP with a green Harvester crush rib sabot with good to exceptional accuracy.
Or you can get a breech plug designed for Blackhorn 209 and a bottle of Blackhorn 209 and do the same thing. I haven't had a .50 cal muzzleloader yet that didn't shoot a .429" - 300 gr Hornady XTP with a green Harvester crush rib sabot with good to exceptional accuracy.
