I spent the day at the range with my new .50 cal. T/C Pro Hunter. I shot 200 and 250 grain T/C Shockwaves with 100 grains (by volume) of loose Hodgdon Triple 7 FFG. I spent most of the day cleaning fouled powder from the barrel. It was terrible. And, for the most part way worse than I experienced in my cheap CVA Optima.

The Optima is blued and T/C stainless. I read where I should swab a spit patch between shots. But, I never had to do that with the CVA and could get five to six reloads without issues.

The problem I experienced with the T/C was after two shots, the powder/bullet would not seat as deep as in a clean barrel. The bullet would stop 1/4" - 3/8" short of full depth. I presume the sabot was scraping fouled powder off the side of barrel as I seated it.

I plan to try Blackhorn 209 powder. Seeking any other suggestions.

Does anyone have a solution for the interference between the T/C speed breech plug wrench and the scope?

Before you try 209, you might also run a patch or two moistened with T/C No.13 bore cleaner, followed by a dry patch. That seems to take care of the fouling in our Pro Hunters.

Blackhorn 209 would largely put an end to your fouling issues. Having used both it and 777 in pellet form, I definitely prefer the 209.

For a Triumph what worked was to grind a notch into the end of the tool the same size as the notch provided by TC on the side of the tool. This allowed the tool to grab the breech plug, and allowed the tool to spin without hitting the scope. Using a crescent wrench away from the scope overcomes the 'tight' plug.

Don't really recall the details, but it may be the end of the tool, needed to be cut square. ☺











































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Thanks guys. Appreciate your recommendations. Please keep them coming.

Taking tool to my machinist buddy for the re-tooling. I cannot believe T/C does not remedy this - even called them today.

Trying to avoid the lubed patch during hunting conditions when I need to reload whilst up in a tree. The scent alone voids any thought of this option. I generally reload after the shot even if the deer is down in sight. Follow up shot, coyote, two tags, etc....

I bought Federal Premium B.O.R. locked bullets over lunch for the he!! of it. Still gonna try Blackhorn as I plan to return to the range for more testing. Until today, I did not realize T/C Shockwaves are produced in two bullet styles each with two different sabots. I've been buying 250 grain Shockwaves thinking they are all the same.

I started with Powerbelts years ago because they came with the kit. They blew through several deer without expanding leading to minuscule blood trails. Most of my muzzleloader hunting is done from the same stands as my bow hunting.

After the Powerbelt issues, I switched to the Shockwaves and never looked back. Well, this year I bought the Pro Hunter hoping for a accurate muzzleloader with a smooth trigger. Now, I am back at square one. Should have stuck with the cheap CVA and it's crappy trigger.

Good thing I enjoy range time !!!

You experienced the Triple Seven crud ring. A ring of hard fouling accumulates and extends to just in front of the powder charge.


1. Triple Seven powder burns very hot. The residue of potassium carbonate (fouling) gets hot enough to melt and adhere to the bore.


2. The crud ring can be minimized by allowing the barrel to cool between shots and by using a Triple Seven primer.


Some of the TC bores are very rough from the factory. The bore may need to be lapped with jeweler's rouge or JB Bore Paste.

i differently would go to blackhorn 209 & you will never look back. have been using bh209 for close to 10 years. i had a bottle that was close to 7years old & it shot like it did the day i opened the bottle.i once shot 40 shots before i cleaned the bore . it shoots better as the bore becomes fouled. with a clean bore snap 2 primers before loading it with bh209. it fouls out the barrel & dries any solvent in the barrel.blackhorn 209 is the greatest thing sinced sliced bread.

Range Day Two

Took the advice from a couple of you guys. Went back with a pound of Blackhorn 209. And, used the solvent swab between Triple 7 shots. Solvent still out for hunting. So, BH 209 is now in my possibles bag.

Seems Triple 7 and BH 209 shoot similar from my T/C Pro Hunter even down to the first shot on a clean, primer fouled barrel. BH 209 provided a more accurate group. Both powders very close at 200 yards. I plan to return and fine tune the scope windage at 200 yards. Yardage will be set at 1 to 2 inches high at 100 yards. It appears the gun needs more than primer fouled before I hunt. Any ideas besides shooting a full charge?

EDIT - Shot 5 was same as 3 and 4

I HAVE ALWAYS BELIEVED THAT THE FIRST SHOT BEING OFF HAS TO DO WITH THE OIL IN THE PORES OF THE METAL.
My own solution is to fire 3 -209 primer clean the gun fire 3 more and load to hunt.
This is what works for me on both my Pro hunter and my encore endeavor.