Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Newbie question

just giving the fellow the best advice I can offer to him. I still shoot sidelocks with PRB. If cost is an issue, get a sidelock with real black powder and patched ball.

I never said my way was the only way. That's what a forum like this is for. A guy asks for advice, different people give him different advice, and then he has a range of opinions and can make up his own mind.

Smoke. Not directed at you by any means. You gave a polite, reasonable reply

Or you could compromise and use BH 209 with cheap bullets until you get the hang of it. I think BH 209 is worth the extra cost because I can go out and shoot a session at the range in less time and enjoy it more when I don't have to swab 4 times between each shot (spit patch both sides followed by dry patch both sides). However, no sense in buying expensive bullets until you learn the ropes on how to shoot. Once you are comfortable with the process, buy several better bullets and try and find a hunting load.

Thanks to all of you for the advice. I had never heard of any of these products so this is a huge head start. If I try Thor bullets, what's the procedure for choosing which diameter I need?

email for a sizing kit, start with the smallest .500" diameter, load it to see how the pressure is, put it to the side, get the .501" and try it as well, if its super tight, stop and push out the muzzle end.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eDmFUckyCUI

I only gave him advise from what I've learned, my experiences, and not being prepared when I should have been. There are a lot of factors out there and I'm sure the OP will learn as he goes with plenty of great information from everyone including yourself. Never said there wasn't any other way.

In no way did I put salt under your saddle or insult ones finances, so don't assume everyone is convoluted.

FH � I haven�t ML hunted in several years, but when I did I used a TC Hawken with maxi-balls. Now that I am older�the old TC is too heavy for me to pack around in the mountains��so I picked up a TC Omega from a friend and plan on using it this fall. Suggestions on loads for it to start with from your experience? Thanks.

A 348 grain Powerbelt ahead of 80-90 grains BH209 works well in my TC in-lines.

Thanks Smokepole. I'll get out and give it a try this weekend if this dang winds slows down!

Range report and questions:

I followed advice here and got a CVA Accura V2, and ordered the modified breach plug that CVA recommends for use with BH209. Using Remington 209 primers (all that was available locally), I have had a few failures to fire with 209, and a couple of instances when it fired but late/weak. I swapped out the plug for the stock one and tried pyrodex 50/50 pellets instead, which worked fine, though dirtier of course. Questions: Does BH want a different primer, and if so which brand? Also, if I use powdered Pyrodex or 777, which plug should I use? The "BH209" plug has a roughly 3/4" deep cone shaped recess in it, whereas the standard plug has a flat face. The CVA website claims that the BH209 plug should be used with any granulated powder, but given the ignition issues I encountered I wondered what others' experience have been.

Very happy with the rifle overall. It's accurate, and the trigger is great for an off-the-shelf gun.

BH209 requires a magnum prime for reliable ignition.

Western Powder recommends either a CCI209M or a Federal 209A. WW209 standard shotshell primers (not the WW 777) are right behind CCI and Federal primers in brisance (how much spark). Standard Remington primers fall well below the three mentioned and are probably the cause of your ignition problems. Reliable ignition with BH209 without using a magnum primer is a known problem.

WW 209 primers run a tad long/big which can be a good thing or not. They can be difficult to close with a tight breech or can fill a loose breech and prevent excessive blow-by. WW209 primers are what I've found works best in my TC to prevent excessive blow-by. FWIW, WW uses their standard primer in all of their shotgun shells including magnum loads.

My TC Omega has a stock recessed breech plug which can shoot either pellets or loose. As far as recessed breech plugs and using pellets that's something I've been wondering about. It seems that maybe recessed plugs will shoot either loose or pellets but flat faced plugs will only ignite pellets ... reliably. I don't know though. It's a WAG on my part.

In case you're wondering I spent a lot of time researching shotgun shell primers on shotgun shell reloading forums. They had all the skinny on primers.

I've always used standard Winchester 209 primers, never had a problem in the Triumph.

I've had problems with remington hang firing with center fire ammo. Try the winchester W209, CCI 209 Magnum, Regular CCI, Federal 209a primers.

Also order a small bag of these. Drop one into the primer pocket and go shoot.
http://www.mcmaster.com/#9262k611/=u1go0j

Are those Remington primers the KleanBore or STS?

The STS might work but the KleanBore are made for Triple7 and are too weak.

Win209s work good if the breach plug design is also good. Otherwise use the Fed209A or CCI209M. Ive heard other CVA owners had good luck with Fiochii 209s in that plug.

I was using KleanBore. The only other kind they had on the shelves were the Winchester 777. I will look for the regular Win209s, CCI, or Fed. Thanks for the advice.

BTW had good range results with Hornady FPB bullets.

yep both of those primers suck for BH209.

Find some cci ,federal 209a or the winchester w209.

Ditto. DO NOT use Kleenbore primers with BH209. That IS your problem.

If you cant find normal or mag USA made 209s, try the Cheddite, Fiochii or NOBELs. Ive read especially good reviews of the Fiochii 209 in the CVA plugs. I know they fit in my 2 older CVAs i had and worked well in a modded plug.

Thanks y'all, I will shop for some appropriate primers.

Even with a few newbie mistakes and wrinkles, shooting a muzzle loader is serious fun!

Not only do you need a magnum primer, you must also keep the primer channel clean. There is a lot of carbon buildup that has to be removed. I also use a rubber o-ring to make sure there is no blowback. Not only will primer blowback make it harder to ignite BH 209, but it can get into the action and gum up and rust up the works. Of course the gumming up and rusting up happen with 777 and Pyrodex too. The Accura has a shim kit available that allows you to get a snug fit with your primers.