Some advice and wisdom please.

Hello all muzzleloader veterans. I got the bug this fall after borrowing a CVU hunter bolt from my Dad and getting two deer with it. I sighted the gun in with 150grains of pyrodex (3 pellets), a cheddite 209 primer and a 245grain powerbelt bullet. I couldn't get the gun to group better than 8" at 100 yards. It worked for the close range shots I took, but I had to pass on a truly huge 10 pointer that was at 226 yards. So, my new mission is to try to get 200 yard performance out of a muzzleloader.

Looking back I think I was overloading the CVA and likely could have dialed it in better, but since it wasn't my gun, I decided to just start fresh. Below is what I have to work with...
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...pskpovybnm.jpg
I picked up a lightly used Thompson Center Impact. I prefer the break open action and read many good reviews on this "entry level" rifle. It came with a Leupold base and rings.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...psxhujefkv.jpg
Cabelas had their Nikon in-line muzzleloader scope on sale with the bullet drop compensator reticle, so I got one and mounted it.
http://i238.photobucket.com/albums/f...psznhyv7x1.jpg
I liked the convenience of pellets but wanted the ability to fine tune for accuracy, so I went with Blackhorn 209. I grabbed lots of Barnes Spitfire TMZ 250grain sabots and intend to use Cheddite 209 primers for ignition.

I guess what I am asking is, where should I start? I have a powder measure and flask on order as well as a range rod adapter and cleaning stuff. I intend to use a chronograph when I work up a load that groups and kills out to 200 yards.

What am I missing? anyone already using this combination?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dilly

I sighted the gun in with 150grains of pyrodex (3 pellets), a cheddite 209 primer and a 245grain powerbelt bullet. I couldn't get the gun to group better than 8" at 100 yards.

I liked the convenience of pellets but wanted the ability to fine tune for accuracy, so I went with Blackhorn 209.

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The short answer is you used to much powder....

I haven't worked up a load with BH209 yet for my Traditions, but I know my gun performs best with 80-85 grains Pyrodex or T7. Loads over 110 gr and my groupings spread out. Most guys find the same thing, the sweet spot for most of the in-lines is around 80-90 grs.

Thanks Mike. I was going to start at 90 grains and go up from there. Maybe I will start at 85.

You also need to wait at least 15min between shots. Heat and plastic sabot equal mayhem! I shoot smokeless out of my savage but bh209 is very similar in the fact that you need a tight fitting sabot. Most on the market are too slick. Thats great for easy loading but not for tight groups and consistent ignition. I would get some MMP sabots and shoot bullets that the savage guys are using.

With Blackhorn powder you will need shotgun primers, that's what I found worked best.

Impact is a great gun, and they love TC Shockwave 250 gr. I've never used Blackhorn powder so I can't speak for it. I use loose 777 powder and Remington primers. Start with 90 grains and work up to 105grains. Cloverleafs off a leadsled at 100yds.

I have the same ML, my particular gun likes heavier bullets. I'm using 90grs of BH powder with a 300gr Hornady SST using a CCI primer and getting MOA at 100yrds. I have also got excellent accuracy with 100grs of Pyrodex pellets (2 pellets). But prefer the BH loose powder as its much cleaner to use and less corrosive. Any time I tried using anything over 100grs of powder accuracy went out the window. Good luck with your new rifle, the TC Impact is a awesome rifle for the money.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dilly

I liked the convenience of pellets but wanted the ability to fine tune for accuracy, so I went with Blackhorn 209. I grabbed lots of Barnes Spitfire TMZ 250grain sabots and intend to use Cheddite 209 primers for ignition.

I guess what I am asking is, where should I start? I have a powder measure and flask on order as well as a range rod adapter and cleaning stuff. I intend to use a chronograph when I work up a load that groups and kills out to 200 yards.

What am I missing? anyone already using this combination?

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BH209 manufacturer specifically recommends the use of couple primer types behind their powder - CCI 209M and/or Federal 209A.

In way of accessories, I found the following couple items a great assist during range sessions:

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Thomp...out/741104.uts

http://www.cabelas.com/product/shoot...0#BVRRWidgetID

Note: The volume measure markings on the BH209 tube is not accurate. Therefore, one would need to rely on a powder measure. Otherwise the tubes are very handy in order to prep stuff prior to heading out to the range.

Some feed back from my 50/100 yds range sessions early during the year. However, I have only used TC Shockwaves Superglide and Hornady SST High Speed Low Drag (that's quite a mouthful for naming a sabot :))

http://www.oodmag.com/community/show...n-209-question

I definitely agree with MikePal. I have used the Powerbelt products for years, and only have issues when I use more then 2 pellets, as the bullet starts to roll and flip around causing wild shots on paper that I just do not see with 100 grains or 2 pellets.
On a sidenote, I have had days where I have been all over the board shooting and the next time with the same load I have a tack driver. I attribute it to bad form, cheekweld, and unicorns, maybe mostly just the first 2 though.
John

I have an impact. It shoots very well with 2 t7 pellets, Remington primers, and a 350 grain qt bullet from pr bullets. SST's and spitfires also shoot well. You should not have too hard a time working up a 200 yard load. For the money I don't know if you could find a better rifle than the impact.