how hot with blackhorn 209?

[Axis II]

So i achieved 3 holes touching at 100yards with 100gr volume of black horn 209 out of my cva optima v2 stainless thumbhole and wanted to test a higher charge but ended up shooting 2 deer with the Marlin so never messed with the muzzleloader again. I was invited to do doe control this weekend but its -15 tonight and -6 tomorrow and i really don't feel like shooting in those conditions.

Sooo... I am shooting .452 300gr XTP with that charge of blackhorn which their data puts me at 1800fps. You guys think this is enough for that bullet to kill a deer at say 100yards?

 

[Barny]

I personally would not alter that load. If it is not broke, do not fix it. My BP load is similar.

 

[red rick]

That is plenty enough and with the accuracy you are getting I would not change . At the Blackhorn website they have some load data listed for different bullets and charges , the max they list is 120 grains .

 

[Patocazador]

Sooo... I am shooting .452 300gr XTP with that charge of blackhorn which their data puts me at 1800fps. You guys think this is enough for that bullet to kill a deer at say 100yards?

I kill them with a 260 gr. PT Gold and 90 grs. of BH 209 so I'm sure you have a lethal load.

 

[Axis II]

I personally would not alter that load. If it is not broke, do not fix it. My BP load is similar.

That is plenty enough and with the accuracy you are getting I would not change . At the Blackhorn website they have some load data listed for different bullets and charges , the max they list is 120 grains .

I kill them with a 260 gr. PT Gold and 90 grs. of BH 209 so I'm sure you have a lethal load.

Thanks guys I'm new to blackhorn and just want to make sure I have a lethal load.

 

[red rick]

I use 90 grains also and a Barnes MZ Expander when I use BH 209 . I killed a buck this year with it and it was a pass through , but only a 25 yard shot .

 

[MCgunner]

How fortuitous you should start this thread as I was about to. It was nice today, light wind, so I got out there with my 20" Hawken Hunter Carbine and shot 5 shots that averaged 1135 fps/1101 ft lbs with a 385 grain 50 caliber Minie (Hornady Great Plains). I put 'em right there where the gun was sighted in with Pyrodex RS. Pyrodex pushed around 1400 fps with 90 grains from the same gun. I'm shooting the same equivalent by volume, weighs an actual 65 grains of BH209. Now, I'd think it a little light by chronograph data, but the thing kicks like hell and doesn't seem anemic. I'm thinkin' that's good enough for hogs and deer at 100 yards or less. It groups the same 2" at 100 yards that Pyrodex does and shoots dead to POA with a course bead just like the Pyrodex. The target was shaded and hard to see with iron sights, but not impossible.

So, whadda ya think? Push it a little hotter or err on the safe side knowing no deer or hog is going to survive a shoulder hit with a 50 caliber 385 grain bullet? I'm thinkin' stay safe, but I COULD try a hotter load. I don't wanna push things, though. The gun is only rated for 90 grains of ffg.

 

[MCgunner]

Of course, I COULD hunt with Pyrodex and save the BH209 for targets. The main thing I like is not having to swab the bore between shots. As far as clean up, heck, I think I'd rather flush with water than mess with Hoppes number 9. 6 of one, half dozen of the other really.

 

[red rick]

The volume to weight formula is , x 0.7 , example , 100 x 0.7 = 70 gr weight .

 

[MCgunner]

Ya know what? I wasn't remembering that rifle right. I got near 1450 fps, but that was with a 260 grain Lee REAL bullet which wasn't accurate, anyway. I got a little over 1500 fps with a 240 grain sabot that WAS accurate, but I like the full bore Minie ball. I cannot find where I chronographed the 385 grain ball with Pyrodex, sure thought I had, but energies on the other Pyrodex loads run about 1200+ ft lbs, so I'm close enough IMHO.

 

[lastofthebreed]

Ohihunter: You are good to go. Now get out there and kill some does!

 

[Patocazador]

The volume to weight formula is , x .07 , example , 100 x .07 = 70 gr weight .

Move your decimal point one place to the right and you have the correct conversion factor. It's 0.7 or 7/10 ths or 70%. I wouldn't want anyone getting a ball stuck in the barrel.

 

[red rick]

Thanks , that was what I thought I typed , at least I got the total right .

 

[Axis II]

Well no issues tonight I shot a medium size doe at around 60yards broadside and the 300gr xtp with 100gr volume blackhorn took out the heart, pass thru and she went 40yards before passing away. Based on the hole and blood I don't think I need to push this any harder.

 

[T.R.]

Your load beats the old 45-90 which was a popular buffalo cartridge in its day.

TR

 

[farmerboy78]

I use 110gr bh209 with the 195 duplex dead center bullet in my knight disc elite @ 2200fps. It' shooting < moa @ 250yds and still has plenty of killing power ar that distance. 120gr actually gives me a smaller group, but my primers don't seem to extract from the Lehigh setup. Tends to stick and needs a small flathead to get them out. @ 110gr, they call right out.