Tell me about your CO Muzzle loader set up

NMPaul

NMPaul

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I already have a couple muzzle loaders set up for NM, but, I do not want to mess with them.

I would like to go with a light ml and take advantage of the fact it will not need a scope.

I will need a good choice for a reasonable, well engineered ML.

Good choice for a CO legal site.

Good choice for a load that goes with it.

Son drew early archery deer in 74 and I picked up a ML elk tag since seasons coincide. Deer is priority, but, if a quality bull shows himself, I want to be able to get after him.

Thanks in advance.
 
50 cal CVA accura with open sights. Has to be 50 cal for elk

Replace rear V-sight with Williams WGRS-Legend Guide Receiver Peep Sight

BH 209 loose powder. 90-100 gr of powder is plenty.

No excuses 460 gr bullets is my first choice. Thors are also a great choice and would be another option but take some sizing and they can sell out before the season. I like Hornady FPB bullets, but they won't fit down CVA barrel. Federal BOR 270 gr copper would be another option, but I have heard some questions about terminal performance

With 90-95 gr of BH 209 and a 460 gr No Excuse bullet, I am accurate out to 150 yards and the bullet will do the job.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
>50 cal CVA accura with open
>sights. Has to be 50
>cal for elk
>
>Replace rear V-sight with Williams WGRS-Legend
>Guide Receiver Peep Sight
>
>BH 209 loose powder. 90-100
>gr of powder is plenty.
>
>
>No excuses 460 gr bullets is
>my first choice. Thors are
>also a great choice and
>would be another option but
>take some sizing and they
>can sell out before the
>season. I like Hornady
>FPB bullets, but they won't
>fit down CVA barrel.
>Federal BOR 270 gr copper
>would be another option, but
>I have heard some questions
>about terminal performance
>
>With 90-95 gr of BH 209
>and a 460 gr No
>Excuse bullet, I am accurate
>out to 150 yards and
>the bullet will do the
>job.
>
>txhunter58
>
>venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore
>I am)

Thanks TX, I hoped you would chime in. I knew you had some expertise in this area.
Thoughts on the Accura MR with 25" barrel?? Likeing it only ways 6.35 lbs.

My eyes are not what they were. Need readers, but, see long distances very well still. With this in mind, is that still the site you would suggest. Little worried about a peep site.

thanks again
 
I think The MR sounds good, but remember that the lighter the rifle the more it kicks! Also, I don't own a CVA. I have a T/C Omega, a Knight LR, and a White. But T/C won't reliably shoot a conical, the Knights are SO expensive now, and a White is hard to come by. Hear lots of good things about the Accura.

I think you have to order a special breech plug for using BH 209. But it is SO worth it. Love that powder.

Some people have used the rear V sight and like it, but I personally feel I can be more accurate with a peep.

My eyes are exactly like yours: see distance well, but need readers. Even so, the peep is still the best rear sight. No matter how good your vision is, the peep will be blurry because you are not focused on it and your eye will naturally place the front sight in the middle. It is the front sight that is the problem. There are 2 of them for me!

If your front sight is not blurry, then you are good to go, but I have had to go to some 0.75 or 1.0 reader glasses to shoot with. That makes the target a little bit blurry, but real shooters say that the most important thing to be in focus is the front sight. In the past, I have had to special order the low power readers, and they took a long time, but now I get "progressive readers" on Amazon and just takes a few days. If you think you need that, I would order the 0.75s first, because the lower the power, the better you see the target. The lower power has the 0.75 at the top of the lens (the part you shoot from) and 1.5 at the bottom. So you can clearly see the front sight with the top and read/see close up things at the bottom. I currently use the 1.0-2 glasses in my work.



txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Paul,

Try out the Thor?s. If they can shoot out of your gun, they do a number on an elk.

Have to start early and get proper size though.

Thanks,
 
I agree that they are probably the best bullet I mentioned. But I you like them, be sure and buy a supply for the fall bought this summer, because they only produce so many each year and they sometimes are not available in the fall

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
My Thor sizing kit is in the mail.. should be here Monday. That's what I'm hoping to use.
What weight of Thor?s are folks using for deer? Will be using BH 209 as well.

Try to at least get a jump on things before it gets too close!
 
CVA Optima, 50 Cal., Hornady 350 gr FPB, 90 grains buckhorn, fiber optic sights. Also have the compact CVA Wolf with similar load. The Wolf doesn't hoot as well as the Optima but makes for a great back up muzzy.



"Courage is being scared to death but
saddling up anyway."
 
Thanks everyone.

TX, you convinced me on the peep site and I found it on amazon.
https://www.amazon.com/Williams-WGR...s+wgrs-legend&qid=1560021661&s=gateway&sr=8-1

Good advice on the glasses. The readers I use now are 1.50. I will wait to get gun and site before I decide I need to buy the low power readers, but, sure glad you told me about them because that sounds like a solution to a problem I expect to have.

Does it come with a front blade or pin? Do I need to purchase one?

Chad, I did a little research on Thors, I guess they sell a sizing kit?? Wouldn't one CVA accura shoot about the same bullet as the next one? is there a size that people shooting the Accura use? trying to site in a ML is one of my least favorite things, but, necessary. Hoping I could buy bullets just once.

Also, where does everyone suggest to buy ML from? direct from CVA, or just go through my gun dealer. BPS, Cabelas?

Also saw the 209 breech plug on Amazon.

I a thinking that lite ML would be best for the unit I will be hunting. I think I would rather punish my shoulder than punish my lungs. I expect it will be a standing or sitting shot anyhow and not prone, and, no scope to slam into my forehead.

74 from what I read is from 8K to 13K elevation.
Zach and I are planning a back packing trip there in July. I heard there is a heavy snow pack there now.

Thanks for all the help and helping me figure this out.. Sounds like the credit card is about to get a work out.
 
Paul, check out the open site topic on the muzzleloader forum.
I tried that Williams ramp peep that you posted and I'm afraid it will be too low for you to shoot much past 100 yards. Especially if you have a tall front sight.
 
> Paul, check out the open
>site topic on the muzzleloader
>forum.
> I tried that Williams ramp
>peep that you posted and
>I'm afraid it will be
>too low for you to
>shoot much past 100 yards.
>Especially if you have a
>tall front sight.

Thanks, I will check it out.
 
Personally ...not saying anybodies wrong...just not a fan of peep sites it blocks too much of what I want to see...if the animal is moving hard to look up for the right time....that's just me..... many love them try it out is is only 50 bucks right...you will be really high in 74 and its wide open up there...the longer you can shoot the better you will be...
 
>CVA Optima, 50 Cal., Hornady 350
>gr FPB, 90 grains buckhorn,
>fiber optic sights.
>"Courage is being scared to death
>but
>saddling up anyway."

That's pretty much mine too, w 300g FPB, 95 gr 777, Williams ghost ring fiber optic sight.
 
I love the Hornady FPBs and have killed 4 elk with them (350 gr), but was under the impression that they CVA bores were too tight to get them down the barrel with any ease? Not the case? If they work, they are the cheapest good bullet out there.

I would recommend shying away from T/C rifles. They have a QLA that is cut off center in some rifles (mine and MANY others) and if that is the case, they don't shoot conicals very well. T/C will even tell you this. They guarantee accuracy with sabots, but not with conicals.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Hey tx how would you know on the t/c? I have a triumph. Was assuming the Thor?s were pretty much the same as a sabot. Maybe you know different?
 
FPB's do go on tight taking a pretty good rap of the hand to get them started. Once in they push a lot easier. I'm on my 3rd bullet starter after breaking them and finally made my own which has held up very well. I will also be on my 3rd ramrod because the buckhorn and FPB's shoot more accurately with considerable seating force/pressure. Compared to other bullet/powder combos nothing has come close to my present set up. Good thing CVA has good product warranty.

"Courage is being scared to death but
saddling up anyway."
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-19 AT 09:49AM (MST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-19 AT 09:46?AM (MST)



>Hey tx how would you know
>on the t/c? I
>have a triumph. Was
>assuming the Thor?s were pretty
>much the same as a
>sabot. Maybe you know
>different?

Because I own an Omega and it won't shoot conicals worth s^|?t. Real conicals (like no excuses) tumbled. It shot PowerBelts ok because the rear skirt helps seal the rear in the QLA. But I wouldnt personally shoot a PowerBelt at an elk. You might find that Thor?s will shoot ok because of their rear expanding bell. My brother has an Omega that was cut square so his shoot conicals OK. I finally cut the QLA off on mine. Mine is not a rare incidence. MANY people report the same thing. As I said, call T/C yourself and ask if they will guarentee they will shoot conicals. They won't.

But it would be worth trying Thor?s in your Triumph. With mine, even though it would shoot PowerBelts at about 3? at 100 yards (not bad for me with open sights), it would just have an occasional flier that I couldn't explain with bad form.

I didn't give a full list of all my muzzleloders ?. Been shooting them for 35 years: first one was T/C renegade 54 cal sidelock that I built myself. Then T/C Omega, then Knight long range hunter, then knight KrB-7, then White whitetail. All but the renegade have been 50 cal. Never owned a CVA but from all reports once they switched to a Bergara barrel they are cost effective good shooting guns. Last elk I killed was with my renegade and 350 FPB bullets!

Going over to the dark side this year and hunting first rifle. First time in 25 years


txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-19 AT 09:54AM (MST)[p]

NM

Couple more things. Not sure how the knights come now but I had to buy a conversion kit for BH 209 with them as well

Also, as regards to the peep, I don't use the appeture that comes with the sight. Great at the range but too small for hunting, especially in low light. I suspect you will find the same thing. I ordered a ?twilight peep? screw in appeture directly from Williams. You can also just use a drill bit to enlarge the hole.

https://williamsgunsight.com/product/williams-twilight-aperture/

I would start by trying the front sight that comes on the gun to determine what height you need. For the FRONT sight, a shorter one raises the poi and a taller one lowers it. MOST of the time you need a shorter front sight with a Williams but you should shoot first to see. I needed to raise my POI just a little bit and did so by using a refrigerator magnet cut to size under the rear sight for a shim

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
thanks for the info Tx. NM Paul didn't mean to threadjump but I think the info is valuable.

tx I should have rephrased "how would one know".. figured you had the experience. I will get some thors and give it a go, and report back. If not good, I still got time to get into a different setup if needed. Pretty accurate with the sabots and fingers crossed on the thor!
 
Anything with and expanding rear bell has a shot at working ( powerbelts, Thor?s; FPBs)

And maybe your rifle is cut square. It is hit or miss.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Paul,
My muzzy is a Traditions Pursuit Pro. I had my gunsmith buddy install a rear peep and a hooded front sight. I too need readers and other than having to ?crawl? the stock a little more than normal, the peep is not a problem. I can hit paper plates at 200. My load is a custom cast and sized, paper patched 450 grain conical, I use 85 gr Blackhorn 209. Good luck!
 
>Paul,
>My muzzy is a Traditions Pursuit
>Pro. I had my
>gunsmith buddy install a rear
>peep and a hooded front
>sight. I too need
>readers and other than having
>to ?crawl? the stock a
>little more than normal, the
>peep is not a problem.
>I can hit paper plates
>at 200. My load
>is a custom cast and
>sized, paper patched 450 grain
>conical, I use 85 gr
>Blackhorn 209. Good luck!
>
Custom cast means you pour your own bullets? Is there a benefit besides cost savings?
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-09-19 AT 08:50PM (MST)[p]Here is a pic of a Federal Bor Loc .50 cal in 270 grain weight that I shot a bull with last fall. The shot was broad side at 75 yards standing still. Bullet was lodged under skin on opposite side. Bull ran 20 yards and crashed. Was shooting 95 grains of triple 7 out of an Encore. Accuracy was good on these bullets to 125 yards with factory iron sights.
6935borlock.jpg
 
Paul, my gunsmith buddy cast a lot of bullets for various guns he shoots. He has a preference for cast billets so he can vary the hardness to suit his needs. He did the casting, sizing, and paper patching. I just provided soft lead and go shoot them. I seriously doubt there is a cost savings if one considers the time spent on them. As others have said FPB, Thor and others make good bullets.
 
Regarding peep-sights, I have one on my old T/C Renegade, and when hunting I just unscrewed the entire peep disk. A lot more field of view, much brighter, and I shot it just as well without it, at least offhand out to ~75 yards. I did have a nice bright fiberoptic front sight installed.


Since I mostly bow-hunt in CO now I haven't killed an elk with it since 2006. But I did apply for elk & deer muzzy hunts in ID (similar restrictions to CO) this year, so the old gun might come out of the safe. Would probably use the standard load of a 370 grn maxiball and 90 grns Pyrodex.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-11-19 AT 12:09PM (MST)[p]

I sent a question to Federal about the BOR 350 lead bullets. He told me they are a lead alloy, not pure lead. That is a BIG PLUS for me! Have had good luck with the FPB 350 grain lead alloy bullets on elk, so I see no reason why the BORs won't work as well.

That is the main reason powerbelts come apart on elk sized creatures, they are pure soft lead. Need something a big more stout for elk. I think those bullets are worth a look. For the life of me, I can't see why Powerbelts haven't come out with a lead alloy line. The competition is way ahead in that area

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
I've been shooting the Hornady fpb?s in 350 gr. But heads up I had a real hard time finding any last year. I called Hornady asking about availability and was told they were discontinueing the 350 gr due to some type of issue. So they weren't shipping anymore. Not sure if that will be for 300?s too. And/or if anything changed. That was around sept
 
>https://www.gohunt.com/read/skills/increased-accuracy-from-an-open-sight-muzzleloader#gs.hvi2bz
>
>https://www.gohunt.com/read/skills/extending-the-range-on-your-open-sight-muzzleloader#gs.hvi6dv

Good stuff. A friend had texted me the first link. The second article is certainly taking it to the next level. Appreciate it.

Keep getting home to late to order the ML from these east coast companies. Decided on the Knight Ultra lite.

The lightest one around and I spoke to a Knight pro staff guy yesterday that owns a bunch of them and he convinced me.
 
The lighter the rifle the greater the recoil, given equal loads. Of course its not like there is going to be a quick follow up shot.
 
>The lighter the rifle the greater
>the recoil, given equal loads.
>Of course its not like
>there is going to be
>a quick follow up shot.
>

The big thing I do not like about hard recoil is the chance to catch the scope in the forehead. One benefit of open sites. LOL

Is the handle Elkduds a play on words for Milk Duds? Just curious.
 
Just got an email from Hornady confirming that they are no longer making the FPBs of any size!!!!

Said is was due to lack of sales. Dang it! I loved that bullet.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
>The big thing I do not
>like about hard recoil is
>the chance to catch the
>scope in the forehead.
>One benefit of open sites.
> LOL
>
>Is the handle Elkduds a play
>on words for Milk Duds?
> Just curious.

Kinda. Elk scat looks like milk duds, so elkduds are the worst tasting candy. I still get excited when I find a steaming pile, though.
 
>
>>The big thing I do not
>>like about hard recoil is
>>the chance to catch the
>>scope in the forehead.
>>One benefit of open sites.
>> LOL
>>
>>Is the handle Elkduds a play
>>on words for Milk Duds?
>> Just curious.
>
>Kinda. Elk scat looks like milk
>duds, so elkduds are the
>worst tasting candy. I still
>get excited when I find
>a steaming pile, though.

Yes they do. I used to like milk duds.
 
I bought a Knight UL rifle last year. Went with the open sight/bare primer option thinking it might be better with BH209 than my Disc extreme. Then I added weaver style bases for a scope during load testing. Then a NECG rear peep for Colorado.

Love the rifle. Very lightweight and recoil is surprisingly mild- maybe due to good pad and straight stock. As accurate as my disc extreme- but a hair slower due to shorter barrel I'm guessing.

As for the bare primer option, I still have trouble with BH209 so I went back to 777. Also, fishing around trying to change primers was actually a lot easier with the red discs. I may convert the UL to disc since I have never had ignition issues with 777 in either style.
 
> I bought a
>Knight UL rifle last year.
> Went with the open
>sight/bare primer option thinking it
>might be better with BH209
>than my Disc extreme.
>Then I added weaver style
>bases for a scope during
>load testing. Then a
>NECG rear peep for Colorado.
>
>
>Love the rifle. Very lightweight and
>recoil is surprisingly mild- maybe
>due to good pad and
>straight stock. As accurate
>as my disc extreme- but
>a hair slower due to
>shorter barrel I'm guessing.
>
>As for the bare primer option,
>I still have trouble with
>BH209 so I went back
>to 777. Also, fishing
>around trying to change primers
>was actually a lot easier
>with the red discs.
>I may convert the UL
>to disc since I have
>never had ignition issues with
>777 in either style.
>
>

Thanks for the intel. What kind of problem did you have with the BH 209. I thought it was pretty fool proof. I shoot it in my NM muzzleloader Remington Ultimate, but, also use those big 44 cal primers. I figured BH 209 would be a good powder for the 209 primer. I just bought 3 10 oz. containers of BH 209.
 
I was getting random misfires and hangfires-with three different Disc Extremes. We replaced breechplugs, carefully cleaned them (including the 1/8 drill), tried different loading techniques as far as ramrod pressure- and still random misfires. If the powder was a year old it was more like random fires- misfire being the rule.

I had two boxes of the Blackhorn tubes, plugged and packed in the Blackhorn box and stored in a humidity controlled gunroom with all my other powders. Not ONE would fire with any kind of primer three months later. Seems pretty finicky to me. When a bare primer fired sends 4" of flame out the end of a 24" barrel- but won't light the powder- it shakes my trust.
I was shooting fresh powder one year and shot two whitetails- both were small hangfires- sounded like a flintlock.

I also noticed on year old powder- if it fired it was 100-150fps slower than the fresh stuff. I really wish it worked for me since on a good day with fresh powder my guns shoot very tight groups. I've been reloading since the 70's and never had any other powder degrade like that. At $40+ a bottle I',m tired of experimenting.

The elk camp next to ours in Colorado is a large group of locals that hunt BP every year and not one will trust BH anymore. I know a lot of guys have great luck with it- and I wish I could get it to work. I thought the bare primer set-up would be the answer- but I got the same results. With the added problem of an occasional stuck primer.
 
Weird, I generally use 1-2 bottles per year, but generally have at least part of one left over. Never had a problem with misfires, even when using the left over powder.

The only times I had misfires was when for some reason, the bullet didn't stay seated on the powder firmly. BH requires some pressure/ compaction to go off properly. If you use a loose fitting bullet, you can have some misfires. Normally, though, the bullet would just pop out of the barrel and land a few feet in front.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Yep, I've had those too. Sometimes on a Thor if the fit wasn't snug- I got a FOOF. Then picked the bullet up out front for a second try.

The two hangfires on whitetails I was shooting saboted Barnes with a very tight fit.

I love how clean it is, and the accuracy. Having so many things happen- I can only guess Knight's breechplugs aren't as suited? I dunno? But 3 Disc Extremes and an UltraLite and three fairly experienced shooters having the same problems??

I like the fit/finish and accuracy of the Knight- so until I unravel the witchery of BH209 I'll stay with 777. Shoots lights out despite the crud ring.
 
I used it quite a bit with a knight long range hunter. I actually got one of the original bolts/breechplugs made by the inventor of the conversion kit. Mine has always worked well will all powders including BH. But can't argue with your results.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Wow. I have not had problems with the Remington ultimate, but, there is a huge primer on that. I will give it a try and watch it real close. If I see it giving me problems I will switch to 777. Thanks for the heads up.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-14-19 AT 04:09PM (MST)[p]

Mt Goat: What were the exact primers you tried? I had good luck with Remington STS, but others felt like CCI magnum 209s worked better for them.

For instance, CCI now makes a "muzzleloading 209 primer". This is a reduced power primer and would not light BH 209 reliably. It still might shoot flame out the end of the barrel in an inline though.

Also, sounds like you are cleaning the breechplug out well, but what is your standard range reloading technique? Do you swab between shots at all? If so, what do you use to swab with?. I have shot BH 209 with my Knight LRH as many as 30 times at the range without swabbing once and didn't have any misfires.

When I get home, I clean the barrel with Hoppes or barrel blaster, then dry it well, then put in a light coat of Montana Extreme oil and soak the breechbplug in hoppes and clean the rear chamber with a drillbit. When I go to shoot again, I swab the barrel out with 2 dry patches (both sides) and then pop off 3 caps to clear any remaining oil out of the barrel. I also leave the breechplug out (not in the gun) when the gun is stored in my safe (in an upright position), I worry that the oil in the barrel will run down by gravity and clog up the breechplug. So I just leave it in my blackpowder bag until next time.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
I tried CCI Magnum, Federal and Winchester primers. I used 777 primers when BH209 first came out and found those didn't work well.
On the "FOOF" shots I suspect the looser fit of the projectile was the culprit. The powder did light- but left a wet residue.
I've tried dry patch only between shots, thinking some solvent might have been getting trapped- but no change. Sometimes after 5-6 primers I just pulled the breechplug and cleaned out the unburnt powder.
On the BH tubes- we tried those premeasured loads in three guns and they would not fire at all. Had two boxes and tried 6 in each to no avail- dumped the rest out. On the same day the gun shot fresh powder okay. I've kept other powders for years on the shelf and had no misfires.
I drew an elk tag again this year so I'll be tinkering a lot. I just ordered a plastic disc conversion to see if that works any better.
 
LAST EDITED ON Jun-15-19 AT 08:14AM (MST)[p]Unless they have changed something, I am not sure you can use BH 209 with a disc gun. As I recall, the blowback can blow the disc out of the gun backwards into your face? Which was the reason for the conversion bolt?

If I had to pick a culprit, I would still wonder about the breechplug. I would maybe order another one to be sure it isn't the one you are using. I would get a really small drillbit that fits thru the flash hole and be sure that is not somehow getting clogged up

I also guess it might be prudent to always start a season with a new bottle of powder, just to be sure!

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Maybe my terminology was wrong there- I mean converting to the red jackets (vs org disc). That's the setup I have in the Disc Extreme and never had any blowback issues beyond what I get with other powders- the slight scope scorching.
Mainly I want to try the red discs in the UL to make it easier to deprime for a second shot. The disc just falls out when you open the bolt where the bare primer can get stuck.
 
I bought some 50cal 300gr FPBs at Sportsmans WH for 14.99 today. Calelas was 19.99 as expected since they went Bass Pro there prices are the S*its they never have the kind of sales or prices that Cabelas had. Looking on Hornady site they are discontinued.
On the Western Slope of Colorado we have a choice of Cabelas, Sportsmans WH or online. It sucks
 
Do some internet research on using the disc/primer set up and even call BH 209 people and ask if that is OK. I think you will find they will tell you not to do it. There are people who had the disc hit them in the face using BH 209. Some say they have done it with no problems. I wouldn't risk it personally. Otherwise, why is there even a BH 209 bolt?

Remember, BH 209 is basically a smokeless powder diluted or reduced in power to inline muzzleloader tolerances. But it does create noticeably more blowback than other powders.

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
I'll check with them tomorrow. Not sure how a red disc could hit you in the face unless the rifle was destroyed? The disc is enclosed in the bolt with only a tiny vent slot. Maybe the old plunger style guns had that problem?
I have read the bare primer was supposed to improve ignition, but I'd seen nothing from Knight that the red discs were unsafe with BH209.
In any event I'll check with Knight. Thanks for the heads up!
 
Hmm. I didn't know they have redesigned the plunger/bolt. Might not be an issue any more. I was referring to the old style. Let us know what you find out. Thanks

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
Not to hijack the OP's thread but- I talked to Knight and cleared up some things.

It's perfectly fine to shoot BH209 in the red disc BOLT rifles (Disc Extreme, Mountaineer & UL). They recommend the bare primer for better ignition.
Not recommended to use BH209 in plunger style rifles (MK85) as the system is not as well sealed.

He advised that getting the correct primer "crush" or headspace was critical to getting consistent ignition on the bare primer set-up. Keeps it cleaner, prevents primer sticking and improves ignition. They initially setup the rifles with a Winchester primer but he said competitive guys tweak theirs with shims to get the best seal.

I found a thread on Rokslide from 2016 that details the process and even gives links to buy the shims. I ordered some to try.

I guess I'll be trying some more BH209...
 
Sounds like a very productive call! Thanks for the update and keep us posted

txhunter58

venor, ergo sum (I hunt, therefore I am)
 
thanks for the heads up on the FPB's. I called as well and got the answer that they are no longer shipping the 350s and the remainder of the 300s are spoken for. Both are discontinued. I jumped on line and stocked up
 
I got the bare primer ordered on my UL so I am hoping I dont have to get into shimming for it to be consistent.
Thanks for the info.
 
T/C Hawken .50 cal- Mag Spark 209 conversion, Blackhorn 209 powder - 110 volume. 300 gr Powerbelt Platinum, Lyman peep sight. Pic is my 100 yard group.

92377img20190714152932.jpg
 
Followup- Well after 5 range days I seem to have all my issues solved. I went with two .005" stainless shims in the breech plug and now have a tight seal with Federal primers. That eliminated the messy blowback and reduced the primer sticking.

I do get some primers that pop out a bit and hang up in the bolt. So my routine now is to re-##### and dryfire right after shooting- then the primer drops right out.

I also found out I was not "assertive" enough with my breechplug cleaning. I mounted the drill bit on a handle and found I got a lot more carbon out. Also added some torch head cleaners to my kit for the flash hole.

Have not had a single hangfire/misfire with BH209 since I made the changes.
So, my bad I guess ....

Only a month to go...and I added a bear tag this year with the price drop.
 
Being 65 years old, I've had similar sighting problems. I've found adding 0.5 Diopter to your right (dominant) distance prescription is just the ticket! Front sight sharp, can walk around without dizziness or nausea. Even better if you open both eyes when sighting, at least intermittently.
If you're OCD like me, subtract 0.5D from the ADD in that lens.
If you have your Rx, you can do this and get glasses from Zenni Optical online for real cheap.
Good luck
 

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