Hey guys,
Last fall I bought a 16" 50 cal Contender muzzleloader barrel (handgun) from Dave Van Horn. Didn't have much of an opportunity to develop a load last year during deer season so I didn't provide much of a report on the barrel. I've done a little more load development this year so thought I'd give a more detailed report. The barrel has a nice gloss/blued finish w/ a cougar engraved on it. It uses 209 primers in a removable breech plug. DVH said I could use a max of 150 gr BP. Cleans up very nicely w/ removal of the breech plug. I managed to lose the extractor, but it's not been a problem removing the spent primer by hand. Will probably make another extractor someday from a Contender 22 LR extractor. (DVH wanted $$$ to make me another one.)

Initial (and very brief) load development was not encouraging, but only had a short time to find a huntable load. Initially used 90 gr Pyrodex RS (because that's what I had available from my ML rifle days), 45 cal Sierra 240 gr JHP bullet, Knight black sabot, and W/W 209 primers. Groups were less than impressive, running ~4" at 50 yds. Didn't get an opportunity to shoot it at game. Wasn't pleased w/ the accuracy, but thought part of the problem may have been the forend. Although I specified the dovetail locks to be the usual "Super 14" dimensions (so I could use a Pach forend), DVH built it w/ the "Super 16" dimensions, spacing the dovetail locks further apart. As a short term measure, I used the Pach forend w/ a 10" forend adaptor. He finally made me a Pach forend adaptor for the "Super 16" spacing just a few weeks ago, but I'll have to modify the forend greatly to make it work.

For this year's season, I tried the T/C 250 gr "PTX" bullet/red sabot and Powerbelt bullets w/ above load. Accuracy was not improved, but was still dealing w/ the 10" Pach adaptor. Just before the season, I changed to a CCI 209 primer and T/C "Shockwave" 250 gr bullet/black sabot. (I believe this is the same bullet as the Hornady SST ML bullet, but w/ a yellow plastic tip instead of red.) Voila!! Groups now run 1 1/2" at 50 yds (w/ a single spit patch between each shot). Have yet to shoot at any live game.

Velocities (w/ 250 gr bullets) have been interesting w/ different charges of Pyrodex RS (ffG):
80 gr=1213 fps
85 gr=1420 fps
90 gr=1460 fps
120 gr=1040 fps

Thought I'd try some Pyrodex P (fffG) powder, thinking the pistol powder would burn better in the short tube. There's a LOT of unburned RS powder blowing out the 16" barrel. The velocities were very interesting, albeit disappointing:
90 gr=935 fps
100 gr=1095 fps
110 gr=815 fps
120 gr=927 fps

Looks like I wasted $20 on the P powder... Think I'll stick w/ the "Shockwave" bullet/Pyrodex RS/CCI primer. Things started out rather rocky, but I'm now pleased. Although DVH didn't get the specs exactly right, he did make things right. He even offered to make me a new barrel last fall, but I declined. He was slow in getting the new adaptor finished, but when I called him about it (again), telling him the ML season was less than a week away, he overnight shipped it to me w/o additional charge (cost him $13). I'm getting 44 Mag type velocities so should have a solid 100 yard deer gun. I didn't really expect to get rifle velocities from the short tube. Gary T.

Hey Gary thanks for the update I figured that you gave up on that barrel. I'm just wondering what is the twist rate on that barrel? You might be better off for accuracy with a conical bullet or even a patched ball. Keep us updated on your field results.
Rich Jake

Rich, Good point on the twist. I specified 1:28" w/ the intent of using bullets and sabots. Having actually checked the twist, but after having run a bunch of patches down it, I bet it's up to specs. Guess I was too stubborn to give up on the barrel! At any rate, I'm happy now. Gary T.

Ok, Gary You might also try the 777 powder later when you have time to play around with it. I have used it in my BP rifle & it is doing better in the velocity area. I can't tell you exactly how much faster it is, But from the recoil & the sound of the crack you can tell it is moving quicker. I'll have to chrono it one day! It cleans real easy too, an extra as far as I'm concerned. Glad you were stubborn enough not to give up on it. Now go hit a critter with it & let us know how it goes.
Rich Jake