Thanks to another member on here, I just picked up 2 canisters of BH209. I have a TC Omega with the original breech plug that is pretty much flat in the front, not the newer one which is hollowed out. That being said, which primer would work best with this setup? I currently have standard Winchester 209 primer, and Winchester 777 primers. Would one of these work, or should I be looking for a different primer? Thanks.
Of the two, use the standard Winchesters. The 777 version is reduced power to lessen the crud ring of easily ignited 777 powder. FWIW, I've used standard Winchester 209s to ignite BH209 without issue.
From
Blackhorn website:
Blackhorn 209 is designed to work with standard 209 shotshell primers. For the best results, we recommend the following brands:
CCI 209M
Federal 209A
We DO NOT recommend any of the 209 primers designated for muzzleloaders (Winchester Triple 7, CCI MZL, Federal Fusion, or Remington Kleanbore). These primers are all weaker than standard shotshell 209 primers and do not provide adequate ignition for Blackhorn 209 – especially when used in a poorly designed breech plug system. We also DO NOT recommend #11 percussion caps or musket caps.
Thanks for passing that along tmitch. I'll save the 777's for use with 777 powder if I run out of the 209.
I use standard Winchester 209s with blackhorn in my omega.
I shoot this exact setup with good success. Only difference is my breech plug is curved inside. I have only shot Winchester 209 primers and have never had problem igniting BH209. You need to get the newer breech plug and be sure to use some anti-seize on the threads when installing. It makes taking it out SO much easier after firing it a few times.
Thanks Cotis and Craig. I have found the new breech plug online so I have one on the way.
110-120gr of BH209 under a 250gr Barnes TEZ will get you where you want to be
Good move getting the new breech plug. You do have to pay attention to the flash hole when cleaning. It will build up scale over time if you don't and you could have a misfire or hangfire.
This stuff will surprise you and the TC
The load I use in my T/C Encore is 110 grains by volume (77 grains by weight) of Blackhorn 209 and a 250 grain Hornady Monoflex ML bullet ignited with a CCI 209M primer. I shot a big Iowa buck with this load in 2019 at 117 yards. Dropped him in his tracks. My buddy saw my results and switched from 777 to Blackhorn 209 in his T/C Omega. Cleans up with Hoppes #9 and a few patches.
Ron
You are headed in the right direction with the new breech plug and the hottest 209 primers you can get. Be aware that BH209 builds carbon in the breech plug and must be cleaned or you will first lose accuracy and finally will have failures to fire or hangfires. Go to the BH209 site and look at the recommended breech plug cleaning procedures.
Use a welding tip cleaner to clean the carbon out of the breech plug hole.
Lots of useful information, thanks for all the replies.
I bought my Omega the first year they came out. I switched t0 BH209 in 2019 with the original breech plug and Std CCI 209 primers. Never had a single issue and also clean it with Hoppes #9
Where did you find the new breechplug?
Western Powders, who makes Blackhorn 209 has a video on their website in cleaning including the breech plug and flash hole. I took their advice and used a small drill bit turned by hand to get the crud out of the flash hole.
Ron
You only need to clean the flash channel with a 1/8 inch drill bit. Dont run anything rough through the flash hole. There is no need to scrub the hole. All you are doing then is wearing out the hole faster. Every time you fire a load the hole grows a tiny bit but at the same time the channel fills with a little more carbon. The carbon can get very hard and appear to be metal. Just clean the channel within 20 shots and you are fine. Make sure you can see light through the hole and its fine.
Where did you find the new breechplug?
Amazon.
I clean my flash hole with a drill bit and hit it with brake cleaner, cleans up like new.
I converted my Encore to large rifle primer ignition. The breech plug that came with it looked a little rough and I wanted to replace it. Didn't know anything about inlines. Primers are difficult at best to find right now. I needed the rifle to hunt Ohio. I have large rifle magnum primers on hand. So....thats what I did.
Didn't know it till after the fact but ended up loading near BHs max. 300gr Thor (full bore Barnes) bullet.
I've never had an ignition issue....and large rifle magnum primers are a lot weaker than 209s I believe. That was another reason the conversion plug made sense...no blow back and more consistent ignition they claim.
Killed a 130 something inch public land 10 point. Will keep using it...it worked. Lol.
I’ve got an Omega as well. 84 grains weighted of BH, Federal 209A primer, Barnes 250 gr. T-EZ with a Harvester Crushed Rib Sabot is really accurate out of mine. I clean between every shot. I also keep several of the newer style breech plugs on hand since they are cheap. Use the drill bit method and welding tip cleaner method mentioned above to keep them cleaned up.
I shoot 70gr BH, 250gr Parker ballistic extreme, no idea on what primers. Bought omega in 2007, haven't changed breech plug
Id use the Winchester 209 if that's all you got. Itd be nice to find a couple of cans of bh, my encore loves it with fed 209a.