Blackhorn 209 ??

[scalian]

Just picked up some stuff to try loose powder i got:

Blackhorn 209
Federal 209a primers
T/C uview powder measurer
A cap for the powder with a pour spout
250gr shockwaves that came with the black sabots

Couple questions i have. Should i start at like 90 grains of powder and work up from there to like 120 and see what works best?

What do you all use to carry the extra powder in the field?

If i read right i dont have to do any at the field cleaning or swabing of the barrel when sighting in? How many shots till cleaning is needed?

Does anyone know the size of drill bit for a CVA Accura to clean out the breech plug?

 

[OptimaAndy]

for tubes try this link.

http://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/phpBB/viewtopic.php?t=11872&highlight=tubes

And yes i would start at 90/100 and go from there. You could probably start at 100/110. that shockwave can fly really well when pushed hard.

 

[jakesdad]

Yes.start at 90 and work your way up 5 grains ata time.I carry my powder in little plastic vials I got from this site(forgot who but someone will know,worth their weight in gold IMO)I've never had to swab or clean between shots on the range with BH209.

 

[Franksauto]

Lane sells powder tubes here. I think they are .35 each shipped. I just bought a boat load of them.

 

[TJJ]

It sounds like you've got a good plan in place. I've shot BH for a whole range session, approx 20 shots, and the only thing I cleaned was my flash channel.

 

[scalian]

What do you use to clean out the flame channel.. I assume that it is the little hole between primer and powder through the breech plug.

 

[OptimaAndy]

I use a a 5/32" drill bit hand turned, a paperclip, a really small pin and then a qtip with alcohol. Then give it a blast with crc dustbuster that you would clean out your keyboard with. works great at keeping it clean. Of course this is done at the end of the say. At the range i just use the bit and pin then qtip.

 

[GM54-120]

I started at 80gr with BH209 in all of mine. 50cals could probably start at 90grs with most sabots loads. I start at 80gr as a rule with conicals or 300+gr sabots.

My local electronics store sells clear tubes for 30 cents with graduation marks. They are supposed to be anti static but i still wipe the inside with a laundry dryer sheet. They fit nicely in shotshell trays or bandoleers.

I dont use a drill bit. I use a welders torch pick set. $4 for a Made in USA one at Sears. In the larger areas i use a bronze or bristle bore
brush, such as for the primer pocket.

Torch picks are like very tiny round files. Mine are in a little metal folding case and swivel out when needed. They also come in handy to check for flash hole erosion. Check a new breach plug for the max pick size that fits. When the next size up fits it might be time for a new one or inspection.

Ive fired over 30 shots at the range without even a dry patch. Accuracy was better after the barrel had light fouling. Roughly after the first 3 shots.

I cleanup with plain old Hoppes #9 at the end of the day if i only used BH209. 5-6 patches and its spotless.

BTW in my 45 cal Accura standard Win209 primers worked fine and have less blowby than CCI209M. Using standard Win209 there is basically no blowby, the magnum primers were only much dirtier in the primer pocket.

45s do produce a bit higher chamber pressure so results may vary but the Accura stays cleaner (internal action) than any muzzleloader i have owned.

 

[scalian]

Im pretty sure the hole is alot smaller than 1/8 inch but i could be wrong

 

[OptimaAndy]

Im pretty sure the hole is alot smaller than 1/8 inch but i could be wrong

just changed that after looking it was a 5/32nd.

 

[TJJ]

I believe the cva's are metric, 3mm or 3/32 may do the trick. Hopefully an accura shooter will verify that. I've tried tip cleaners, and the drill bit method seems a little better. Just be careful when you get close to having it bottomed out. You don't want to remove any metal .

 

[sabotloader]

scalian

There really are two areas of concern with the smallest hole hole being the least concern.

The 'flash channel' is the area directly under the nose of the 209 primer - this channel leads to the 'flash hole' which is the small hole in the end of the BP. When shooting the hot primers required for ignition of BH-209 the flash channel usually or eventually will end up partially closed. It is a build up of carbon from the primers. Using a twist drill that is close to the size of the flash channel is the easy way to clean this hard carbon out.

I make a tool I call a 'drill stick' to clean the channel with - turning the stick be hand. Here is a picture. The 'flash channels' on the various BP are of different sizes so you have to find the bit that best fits yours.

Here is test chart I complied shooting T7 and BH... BH is a great powder and it's full greatness is not felt until you start loading the heavier bullets (250 grains and up). As this chart will show you when you look at and compare velocities.... The chart is not complete but it will give you a good idea. This chart is used comparing a 300 grain bullet which really helps BH to perform

 

[Underclocked]

A VERY interesting read for BH209 users http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index ... ic=6150.0;

If you can enlarge those pages then zoom them about 200% they become readable. I was able to use the Image Zoom add-on for Firefox to read them.

 

[ronlaughlin]

Does anyone know the size of drill bit for a CVA Accura to clean out the breech plug?

My Accura breech plug takes a 7/64" drill.

 

[SwampFox]

That is a very interesting read to say the least UC

A VERY interesting read for BH209 users http://www.theopenrange.net/forum/index ... ic=6150.0;

If you can enlarge those pages then zoom them about 200% they become readable. I was able to use the Image Zoom add-on for Firefox to read them.

 

[scalian]

Got out this morning in the cold and snow to do some shooting. Started at 90gr and then went to 100gr. With 100gr of powder and a 250 gr shockwave i was getting amazing groups. One where all 3 shots where touching. And the best part is even after 30 shots they sabots still loaded easy and gave good accuracy minus me shaking from the cold. I also noticed there is hardly any smoke compared to 777 powder which is nice. Always fun to watch the deer go down or be able to tell which way it ran when there are a bunch of them in a field.

 

[Underclocked]

The thread I linked above is related to the chemical composition of BH209 (and Trail Boss powder). Bottom line, it contains sulphur and is (or can be) corrosive. Lesson learned - Clean your rifles regardless of manufacturing claims or isolated tests.

 

[sabotloader]

Underclocked

Son-of-a-gun... that last paragraph on the last page is kinda a real drag as compared what has been said about BH in the past.

Guess that is why we all should clean

 

[scalian]

if i don't clean asap i never get it done. Like last year after late season i didn't get my gun cleaned till early season was coming up.

 

[GM54-120]

Got out this morning in the cold and snow to do some shooting. Started at 90gr and then went to 100gr. With 100gr of powder and a 250 gr shockwave i was getting amazing groups. One where all 3 shots where touching. And the best part is even after 30 shots they sabots still loaded easy and gave good accuracy minus me shaking from the cold. I also noticed there is hardly any smoke compared to 777 powder which is nice. Always fun to watch the deer go down or be able to tell which way it ran when there are a bunch of them in a field.

Thats funny.

Your experience was the same as mine including rather crappy weather. Shivering was the biggest issue and a few wind gusts. I got off over 30 shots too and the first sabot went down as easy as the last. Loading pressure was very constant the full length of the barrel. At 50yards 3 shot clover leafs were not hard after the first string.

In my 50cals ive had very good luck with the 250gr bullets like the Shockwaves and SST/FTX using 100gr of BH209. All of them shoot that combo well.

I got 1 group under 2" at 200yards too. Literally the best 200yd group i have ever shot from any gun. IMO CVA did an awesome job on the Accuras.