I've read a lot and learned a lot from many here in the Muzzleloader forum, and for that I say thanks. Maybe something I share here will be of benefit to someone else.
For several years I've been struggling to get my .50 cal Austin Halleck to give me any kind of consistency, never being able to hold any kind of groups. So frustrating. I tried 4 different bullets, and 3 different powers at several different loads both with a scope and open sites. Last year I reached out to this group, and while I got a lot of great advice and spent more time with that gun than I ever have, I still just couldn't get any acceptable performance out of it.
This year, I was fed up and done with that gun! I bought a new CVA Optima V2 topped with a new Traditions 1x scope. I also switched over to Blackhorn 209 powder, at 100grains, and continued to shoot 290gr Barnes TMZs.
First time out with the gun, and I was IMPRESSED to say the least.
Second time out, on an incredibly windy day, and just as happy as can be.
Took all my shooting data and ran it through Excel to derive a custom ballistics chart, drop calculator and in-field cheat sheet.
And after all that, I had a 75 yard shot through a very tight lane to a 3? opening and made it count on a general season bull. I should add, I had read and was apprehensive about cold weather and moisture affecting the BH209. It was cold and wet, and I left my charge in the gun for 4 days, no ignition problem at all! I couldn't be happier, but it's been the whole journey not just the end result. Thanks muzzy guys!
For several years I've been struggling to get my .50 cal Austin Halleck to give me any kind of consistency, never being able to hold any kind of groups. So frustrating. I tried 4 different bullets, and 3 different powers at several different loads both with a scope and open sites. Last year I reached out to this group, and while I got a lot of great advice and spent more time with that gun than I ever have, I still just couldn't get any acceptable performance out of it.
This year, I was fed up and done with that gun! I bought a new CVA Optima V2 topped with a new Traditions 1x scope. I also switched over to Blackhorn 209 powder, at 100grains, and continued to shoot 290gr Barnes TMZs.
First time out with the gun, and I was IMPRESSED to say the least.
Second time out, on an incredibly windy day, and just as happy as can be.
Took all my shooting data and ran it through Excel to derive a custom ballistics chart, drop calculator and in-field cheat sheet.
And after all that, I had a 75 yard shot through a very tight lane to a 3? opening and made it count on a general season bull. I should add, I had read and was apprehensive about cold weather and moisture affecting the BH209. It was cold and wet, and I left my charge in the gun for 4 days, no ignition problem at all! I couldn't be happier, but it's been the whole journey not just the end result. Thanks muzzy guys!
