I took my first ML shots a few weeks ago with a buddies TC Triumph.
We were shooting Hornady SSTs and 777 pellets.
I got some pretty impressive groups @100 yds and that was enough to give me the bug.
I was impressed enough to get a 209x50 barrel for my Encore.
It seems that Blackhorn is very popular? just wondering if there are any recommended combinations of Projectile & powder?

CVA power belts, easy and accurate!

On those power belts- they are designed to open at normal speeds, no reason to load heavy powder charges- it often produces poor accuracy. When I was using them I think a 90 gr charge. Shockwaves are also very good. On my rifle the shockwaves were giving me 2" groups at 100 yards and I sort of figured- almost as good as a bolt action modern cartridge, why not just use the muzzle loader for all hunting.

Blanco - I’ve used a lot of different bullets and what I have discovered = Most ML bullets that are sold are actually pistol bullets for .44mag and rarely work as intended.

Barnes TMZ 250gr (blue tip with blue EZ load sabot) are hands down the best I’ve ever used for both accuracy and on game performance; combined with 150gr(3 pellets) of IMR Whitehots & Remington KleenBore primers gives me cloverleaf groups @ 100yds & they hit like Thors Hammer! + it matches up with the BDC MZ reticle on my Nikon 3-9.

Like your buddy I shoot a T/C Triumph - it’s the last muzzleloader I’ll ever buy; but I believe your encore in .50cal ML is the best ML hunting rig on the market.

Blanco where did you find barrel and stock for your encore?

I’ve been shooting an Encore ML for about three decades now. Tried a ton of different powders and projectiles. Finally settled on the following:

Triple 7 Magnum pellets (two 60 grain pellets)
Hornady MonoFlex ML bullet (250 grain)

I can make a more accurate load, and spent considerable time and money a few years ago chasing that result. Was a major PITA, and I elected to go with a slightly less accurate load that was much more user friendly. Still have groups just barely above MOA, so definitely within minute of deer. The MonoFlex bullet was the big thing. I like to either see a deer DRT, or with big holes on both sides for easier tracking. This bullet gives me that every time. Took a nice big-bodied eight point this week with my muzzleloader, and he never took a step. Here is the one bullet I have ever recovered from an animal. Was a hard quartering away shot with my CVA muzzleloader pistol:



Was just under the skin on off side.

That would definitely do some damage.
I really hope I can find time to figure out how to get more accuracy out of mine.
Just haven’t taken the time to get much past load and shoot. I need a mentor to speed up the process.

https://texasguntrader.com/
Came as Stainless with Camo forend .
I use KG GunKote to make them match my setup.
Price was very reasonable!

Thank you sir