New to BP, lots of questions, opinions needed.

[lhead71]

I have been wanting to start hunting and shooting BP for some time but just recently picked up a T/C pro-hunter. I purchased a Bergara barrel for it in .50 cal. Anyone out there shooting an inline please give me your opinion on the better powders and bullets and 209 primers. I have some T/C shock waves and a small number of Barnes TMZ's. I picked up some 777 and pyrodex pellets and some 777, kleenbore and fusion 209 primers to start with.

Is there anything else I might need or want to try when I hit the range to shoot? What about swabbing between shots? What should I use to clean the barrel after wards? Should I use bore butter to store it or shoot sabots with it? I am excited to do this, I just want to do it safely and accurately.

Thanks.

 

[osprey176]

opinions?triple 7 is my favorite,forget pyrodex-too dirty.swabbing between shots,you should be able to shoot several times with triple7 before its needed.Hot,soapy water cleans em up just fine.bullets,shock waves are very good,as are hornady xtp/sabots.dont use 150 grains of powder,rough on accuracy and shoulders.start around 75 and go up.see what the rifle likes and stick with that.my old t/c thunderhawk likes 90 grains triple7 and 250 shockwaves.not too much recoil and 1-1/2'' to 2'' groups.have fun!

 

[lhead71]

Went to the range today. I have a Bergara Barrel in .50 cal.
The 250 grain shock waves printed about 3" at 100 yds.
The Hornady sst's printed about 2.5 inches.
Then I found nirvana. Barnes TMZ 250 grain 3 shots touching!
I was using 2 50 grain 777 pellets and Remington Kleenbore primers. I did swab between shots. I think I found the load my rifle loves, I will go back tomorrow to see if I can duplicate it, if so I will be a happy camper!

 

[MCgunner]

Sounds like it's a winner. Even the 3" group is good for hunting deer at normal BP ranges. Sounds like a good gun to me.