I've been through a progression of muzzleloaders beginning with a T/C Seneca and ending with several Traditions Pursuit XLT's. Somewhere in between was my first in-line gun, a T/C Blackdiamond and for some reason, I chose the .45. I'm not sure why, but I hung on to it when I moved to break open .50 guns. I used to shoot 100 grains of Pyrodex pellets and I think the saboted bullets were Knight Red Hots, maybe 185 grains?
I got it out today and started thinking maybe I'd shoot it, maybe let one of my kids hunt with it. All of which brings me to this; does anyone still shoot a .45 BD? Another .45 in-line? What are you using for powder? I've sworn off pellets and I think BH209 is out. The Knight Red Hots seem to have gone away, whats out there for saboted .45 caliber projectiles? Thanks!

I shoot mostly 45s but i use either BH209 or smokeless.

Knight Redhot come in or did come in 175gr and 195gr. They used the MMP tan sabot dyed a darker brown. It the same bullet Barnes offers for 45cals.
http://www.knightrifles.com/product-category/muzzleloader-bullets/red-hot-muzzleloader-bullets/

http://www.barnesbullets.com/muzzleloaders/expander-mz/


Since your BD is a plunger gun, i would use percussion caps and Triple7 2FG or 3FG. Hornady 40/200gr or 180gr XTPs are ok for mild loads and recreation. Hornady 200gr SSTs would be ok for deer hunting. A 385gr conical from NoExcuses would be ok also with a semi mild to mid level load. Precision Rifle offers 40cals from about 180gr to 260gr but the 260 might be a little too long for that twist. They also offer a 45x357 Dead Center in 175gr and 195gr.

https://www.prbullet.com/pt.htm
https://www.prbullet.com/pts.htm


Harvester offers 45x40 sabots also. Either crushrib or smooth. The smooth is slightly tighter but actually measures the same as the crushrib.

MMP tan is around .456 loaded OD
Both Harvesters are around .454 loaded OD

Thank you, that's a lot of info to digest!
I think I tried both the 175's and 195's and the 195's shot better. I probably have a few left, if I can find them, I will be able to tell. So the same bullets are still available from Barnes?
I was using pellets in this rifle, so I was using 100 grains of Pyrodex, with granular 777, I would probably try 80-90 grains. Where is that on the mild-hot scale?
We shoot 80 grains of BH209 in our 50's with a 250 gr. T/C Shockwave in a Harvester Crush Rib sabot, CCI 209M primers.
Lastly, I used to use 209 primers, why do you suggest percussion caps?

Yes, Barnes still offers the 175gr and 195gr. They come with MMP tan sabots. Hornady 200gr SSTs also come with MMP tan sabots.

I prefer around 100-110gr with the 200gr SST and 80-90gr with the 40cal XTPs. You can go lower with the XTP if you want a load for the kids but 80gr and a 180gr XTP is a cream puff to shoot. Thats still far more powerful than a hot 10mm load.

Barnes i prefer 110-115gr simply because they shot better for me with more powder.

Percussion caps leave less of a crud ring with loose Triple7 compared to 209 primers.

You cannot use BH209 in a Black Diamond.Wrong type of breech per TC

I found my .45 caliber bag, I've got both the Knight Red Hots and Barnes Expander MZ's in 195 gr. I don't know if I knew they were the same bullet or if I thought I was trying two different ones. I suspect the latter....
I've also got a couple boxes of Hornady XTP's w/158 grain bullets. They are mostly there and I don't ever remember shooting them.
I've also got three brand new nipples in my stuff, one for 209 primers, one for musket caps and one for regular percussion caps.
So, I guess I'll pick up a pound of granular powder, some percussion caps and head to the range.
I can't remember how long it's been since I've shot this rifle.
Is 777 the best choice for loose powder?

If it were me, I would look for some musket caps. I have used them for years in my Thompson woods rifle, which I think is just a Black Diamond made for Walmart. Never had an ignition problem whether rain or shine. miles

I should say that I remember reading somewhere (here at the campfire I think) that there are some light musket caps on the market that are made for re-enactors and do not have a full power to them. miles

Yep. If the tin reads "FOR REENACTMENT USE", they're weaker than #11s by quite a bit. I guess the reenactors wanted a cap that doesn't frag so they don't have to wear non-authentic safety glasses.

Triple7 is probably not the best choice for caps but i never had a problem with them igniting Triple7 3FG in an inline. The best choice is Swiss imo if you can find it. You wont find any sub that ignites as easy as real BP and Swiss offers excellent performance. The fouling is softer than Triple7 also.

777 gives good velocity and burns clean, except for the crud ring, which can be brushed or swabbed out. It doesn't store well for those who keep powder from one season to the next. In my experience, it lights easier than Pyrodex, but not as easy as BP. Keep your nipple clean. Goex Old Eynesford, according to an extensive test report I read, is very good BP and priced just a couple bucks more than regular Goex.

777 crud rings and froze-up breechplugs are the main two reasons why I discontinued using that powder. I recommend using either blackpowder or Pyrodex Select. You should never use Blackhorn in that Black Diamond style action..... per Blackhorn website.

Old Enysford is becoming pretty popular with the black powder cartridge shooters. FPS is supposed to be very similar to Swiss for a lot less money.

The Triple7 crud ring isnt as bad with caps as it is with 209 primers. At least you can get another shot or two loaded without swabbing.

That was my experience with 777 as well. Actually, a couple of passes with a brush clears it out without getting anything wet.