Loose powder will give you best accuracy.

Plus, now that I switched to Blackhorn 209, which is much less corrosive than anything else, loose powder is your only option for it. If you carry a couple pre-measured charges in capped powder measures with you while hunting, the loose powder isn't even slower or less convenient to use, IMO. You can reload just as fast and easily.

Ted...I agree theoretically (using the same propellant) the loose powder should always be more consistent, but I wouldn't downplay the accuracy of the pellets. For most shooters pellets will do just fine and I really think it's more a personal thing then a performance thing.

As for the Blackhorn 209, I have heard great things about it not fouling the barrel (less swabbing between shots and easier cleaning) but have zero experience shooting it, so I do not know much about the velocity and accuracy compared to say 777 or the WhiteHots.

So out of curiosity, what is your mzl barrel length and bullet weight, and what type of velocity are you getting with say 100gr or 150 grs?

Hi, Tony --
I agree you can get good accuracy with pellets, but you lack the ability to make fine adjustments to your powder charge, which loose powder allows. And, personally, I haven't found pellets all that faster to reload or more convenient to use than loose powder, provided you take a few pre-measured charges with you. Additionally, pellets are more expensive comparing equivalent charge, so I don't really see the advantage. I used to shoot 777 and liked it o.k. while I used it. It's certainly less corrosive than Pyrodex, but it still requires diligent cleaning immediately after use to prevent severe rust & pitting in the barrel. I found that out the hard way. Blackhorn 209 is essentially a smokeless powder, and it's much cleaner and much less corrosive. Even if that was its only advantage, I would still stay with it on that fact alone. Keep in mind that BH209 will not ignite reliably with anything other than 209 primers.

I have a (now discontinued) Austin & Halleck 420 in-line, with the 209 primer nipple. It has a 26" barrel. I'm shooting Barnes Spitfire TMZ 290 gr sabots behind 120 grs BH209. Western Powders (maker of BH209) doesn't recommend exceeding 120grs. I've never put it through a chrono, so I don't know what velocity I'm getting, but according to their data, I'm supposed to be getting in the neighborhood of 2100 fps with a 120 gr charge behind a 290 gr bullet out of a 26" barrel. I'm getting 1 MOA groups @ 100 yds with this combo, so I'm very happy.

Ted,
No argument on any of your points. I shoot a TC ProHunter with a 28" barrel...as you know longer barrel = greater velocity on a given charge. I use the Barnes 250gr tipped expanders pushed by 3 50gr WhiteHots and I can typically shoot clover leafs at 100 yards (I shoot a lot). I shoot the whiteHots because my outfitter in Iowa shoots the identical set up as me and I fly out for my hunts.....so no powder on the plane. It's a convenience thing and I have more than acceptable accuracy. I don't typically change something that isn't broke.

You said something that really intrigued me. You said, "Blackhorn 209 is essentially a smokeless powder." As I said, I have never used it.....and based on your statement, are you saying that when you shoot there is no smoke cloud? If that is the case I would probably have to consider using it as one thing I hate is shooting and not being able to seeing for that brief instance that you have a smoke cloud.

BTW, I get over 2200 out of the 3 WhiteHots but would sacrifice 100 fps to eliminate the smoke cloud.

It is a nitrocellulose blend like smokeless powders. Therefore, it's not very corrosive and leaves less deposits. As a result, barrel cleaning is much easier. Although it does still produce a smoke cloud, it produces noticeably less smoke than 777.

I don't believe you'll sacrifice any velocity, and may even gain velocity. Remember, you have a 28" barrel and are shooting 250 gr bullets. I've got a 26" barrel and am shooting 290 gr bullets. Plus, you will get this velocity with a 120 gr powder charge instead of 150.


Then again, I haven't actually chrono'ed my load, so I'm only estimating based on what their data says. I highly doubt your velocity will suffer any, however.

Okay, so it's less smoke but not no smoke....got it. I just picked up a 2nd TC ProHunter for my 23 year old daughter so I may try sighting that in with the 209 Powder as an experiment as that gun is not going to be traveling.

BTW, I use to shoot a BlackKnight with 120 gr of loose Pyrodex and a 300 Branes Expander (that was before they came out with the 290 gr tipped expander). I never chronographed it but it was very nice combination, very accurate and deadly on everything...but a pain in the butt to clean (the rifle's design not the Pyrodex)

Have a knight Mk85 and I use Blackhorn 209 loose powder. Will never use anything else. Nice clean burn

Pyrodex RS loose

Another vote for Blackhorn 209, works well in my Encore and cleans up nicely..

Don't care for the pellets, never got consistency out of them and the lock time felt like a flintlock.
My smokepoles are traditional and old, not optimized for pellets.

FFG and FFFG works best for me.
Also use patched round balls but have used the polypatches with good luck.
For just shooting, I like patched roundballs.
For hunting, I prefer the polypatches and roundballs.

It is a primitive black powder muzzle loading weapon.
The smoke, soot, smell, huge fireball and cleanup are part of the mystic of owning one.

If you don't like the hassle, they make this stuff called ammo that's clean, accurate, smokeless and easy to handle.....

First deer rifle was .45 Kentucky, got two.. First got on THF was hopen ta fiind some one in area ta do hog hunts, even put out invite for muzzle loader hunt on a WMA... The pellets were made for the in-line, 209 caps, not the side lock, #10&11 caps... Thay do make nipples that are drilled to a bigger diamitor for smaller caps that would let more spart hit the pellet.. Biggest difference is side lock is fired from angle, & inline is in line with powder charge... Their set up for the modern powder... Again not an expert.... Just been enjoying black powder over 35 years..