Black Powder Alternatives?

[dovehunter]

I am going to get back into shooting my muzzleloaders and was wondering about some of the newer black powder alternatives. Years ago, when I first got into BP shooting the new rage was Pyrodex. It supposedly was a lot cleaner burning, ignited better, and clean-up did not require all the usual hot, soapy water regimen as soon as you got home from the range. Unfortunatley, I personally did not find that to be the case. I found that Pyrodex didn't really perform all that differently from the GOEX FFFg black powder I was using at the time. It did a good job, but was no better in any respect. I am now hearing great things from some sources about Triple-7 and the (I believe it is) Shockey's Gold. At the same time, however, I am also hearing from some sources (much fewer though mind you) that these new ones are no better than regular black powder or Pyrodex. What do you guys think?

[MtnMike2]

I originally used Pyrodex in my TC Encore. Switched to 777 - the no sulpher substitute. 777 left a crud ring in the barrel; there's special primers to better ignite the 777 and are supposed to help reduce the crud ring but I never used them because I switched to Blackhorn 209. BH 209 is more like a low pressure smokeless than BP. It produces less crud in the barrel and you use standard bore cleaners to clean up. It is volume measured like Pyrodex and 777 but produces better velocity. Go to http://www.blackhorn209.com

Mike

[buckhunter]

I'm kinda new to BP also. I use 777. I find it not too hard to clean up. Only problem I have had is the breach plug is a bugger to clean up. For the little ML hunting I do I will probably stay with 777.

I use a CVA with 100 gr of loose 777, .429 Hornady Sabot with a 44 cal. 240 Gr Speer flat nose bullet with standard 209 primers. Usually get 3" groups at 100 yds.

[muskrat30]

Last Fall I was sighting in with a buddy. I was shooting the new Blackhorn 209 & he Shockey's Gold. I was pushing the same 250 grn SST a consistant 350+fps faster across the chronograph than his erratic load. I think it was 400+, both with 120grn charges. My load was near 1950fps every shot. He has since switched to B209. 777 is pretty good, but if your gun is compatable I'd go B209. By compatable I mean modern in-line with a 209 primer. Their site will give other details.

[dovehunter]

Originally Posted by MtnMike2

I originally used Pyrodex in my TC Encore. Switched to 777 - the no sulpher substitute. 777 left a crud ring in the barrel; there's special primers to better ignite the 777 and are supposed to help reduce the crud ring but I never used them because I switched to Blackhorn 209. BH 209 is more like a low pressure smokeless than BP. It produces less crud in the barrel and you use standard bore cleaners to clean up. It is volume measured like Pyrodex and 777 but produces better velocity. Go to http://www.blackhorn209.com

Mike

I am not familiar with Blackhorn 209. The "209" bit included in the name would suggest that it was intended for use with 209 shotshell primers. Will it work with no. 11 percussion caps?

[muskrat30]

No, you don't want to use #11 caps with B209. You need full strength 209 primers, not even the 'reduced flash' BP primers you see advertised. I use CCI mag primers for the B209 in my Knight. Their site should have info on a few of the B209 requirements for reliable ignition.

[MtnMike2]

I agree with Muskrat30, you should check the BH 209 website for info on ignition. Good luck with whatever you go with.

Mike