I just acquired my first muzzleoader, a TC Omega and need to work up some loads for elk hunting here in Colorado. I want to give the Blackhorn powder a try but have a couple of questions.

First is the Blackhorn safe to use in the Omega's? Secondly it appears that the Blackhorn powder generates more pressure by volume than Triple 7. Is this correct? If so what is the maximum volume of Blackhorn that would be safe?

Thanks!

There are enough reviews and examples of BH209 and hangfires that I would stay well away from it. Sure there will be people out there that have had no problems with it... Great! But there is a significant population of hunters out there all experiencing the same thing; poor performance, especially at low temps.

I have never had a problem with it. Use standard primers and not the wimpy ones. Make sure the bullet seats securely on top of the powder. Most of the hangfires are because of these two issues.

Yes, it does generate more pressure. The bottle will give specifics like use 120 grains as max. Do not use bullets over 300 grains. Use solid breachplugs and not the ones with the cuts in the side of them (another source of hangfires). The Omega should be fine, bit then again I don't hunt often below zero.

I've been using it for the past 2 years without a single issue- Traditions pursuit .50 originally using buffalo bullet Co. 490gr lead conicals and since they have gone out of business i've gone to precision rifles 430gr HP lead conical. 90gr of BH209 gets me more accuracy than i ever thought possible out of a muzzleloader. Use proper shotgun 209 primers and you wont have problems (i use CCI). I took a bison cow with mine last year and so far this year 2 hogs and a deer.

I think the people that have issues with BH209 incur operator error. It specifically says to use shotgun 209's not the weak muzzleloader primers. It has been the best thing I have seen. If going by volume, it runs from 80 to 120 grains. Go to their website and it will show you what popular bullets do as far as velocities. I use barnes 290 tmz with 110 gr of bh209 and cci mag shotgun primers. My targets at 100yds look like the one on the bh209 website. I have shot over 2.5 bottles of it in my traditions vortek and never had a hang fire in crappy wet weather in MN and the UP of MI.

quote:

Originally posted by ManCannon:
There are enough reviews and examples of BH209 and hangfires that I would stay well away from it. Sure there will be people out there that have had no problems with it... Great! But there is a significant population of hunters out there all experiencing the same thing; poor performance, especially at low temps.

Where are these examples? I have gone to cabela's and midwayusa and nobody complains about hangfires. It is all the other shit out there, especially's Shockey's gold.

The breach plug also needs a .035 orifice for flame travel. The reasons for hang fires are mostly primers and sometimes breach plug design. Not all breach plugs will work.

quote:

Not all breach plugs will work.

How about the Encore?...any issues there?

Thanks.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DES

quote:

Originally posted by GarBy:

quote:

Not all breach plugs will work.

How about the Encore?...any issues there?

Thanks.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DES

Gary, My bud John is having great luck in his Encore with BH209 lit by standard CCI 209s. He took a nice 5x5 in CO this Sept with BH209 and 350grn HDY FPBs.

I'm having good luck with it in my Omega with CCI 209Ms and Barnes 250grn TMZs.

I've ran BH209 through an Omega, Encore, Knight USAK w/ disc extreme, and a CVA Optima with absolutely no issues while using Win 209, CCI 209, CCI 209M, and a variety of bullets. Even light weight 200grn sabots did well.

Good Luck

Reloader

Reloader...thanks so much. I like the idea of BH209 and will get some CCI primers...appreciate the help.

Gary
DRSS
NRA Lifer
SCI
DSC

This is my first year using Blackhorn and I am having good luck with it in my Encore Pro HUnter. I am using CCI 209 primers. During one range session I shot over 20 times and never ran a patch down the barrel between shots. No problems. If it works for you, you will like it.

I started using BH209 also. I tried the Hornady 350GR. FPB and am getting good results. I shot 2 does Friday morning about 5 minutes apart. Bullets went where I aimed. At the bench, I only shot 1/2 dozen rounds, and was getting about 2" at 50yds. That was without playng with the powder charge and basically new triumph.