BP Observations

[Intruder]

OK, I've shot muzzleloaders on a few occasions over the years but never owned 1 or got into hunting w/ 1.  I ended up buying 1 this year to elk hunt in ID.  Here are my observations  and questions:

1.  Great sport that shouldn't be compramised w/ technology... I'm primarily talking scopes.
2.  Can be a real bitch to sight em in.
3.  Effective range (for me) isn't nearly as far as I thought.... 100 is about my max.
4.  Cleaning is a pain in the ass!!
5.  Overall I like it and plan to do it more, but it is more demanding than I realized (figuring out a load, sighting in, cleaning, moisture, blah, blah, blah).

1. Any tips on working up an accurate load?  Powerbelts didn't seem to shoot well out of my gun but my buddy's (also new to the sport) luved em.
2. Will using a different powder improve the dirty, stinky, caustic build up of crap in the gun.... 777, Shockey's powder?
3. Thinkin of gettin a peep... worth it? 

[HawkenBob]

Get rid of the "Black powder" and use 777 od American. I use american and absolutely love it. Its waterproof too.

I shoot my loader about 200 to 400 times a year. I just replaced the sites for th 3rd time. Just cant find one Im happy with for those 100 yrd shots.

Mines a traditional so not as many options. I like the Williams but also have to have a rear with a click adjust. The set screw *censored* is for the birds IMO.

I just put on a T/C fiber optic set up. I had a tru glo and like I said, the set screws were *censored*ty to deal with. Also the back was too brite IMO. The TC has a wrap around so its allot dimmer. More like a soft green glo. Way better. It dosent eat up the front post with its briteness.

Finally, Bullet/powder load size is something you just have to go thru to figure out what works best for you. If the PB"s arnt cutting it try lessning the charge, or increasing it.

Havent used a peep but it may be my next option.

Pain, yes, Ive had the gun for about 15 years now and seem never totally satisfied. But love it still and the challenge.

[Sagedawg]

 Highly advise getting a peep sight. I use a williams on my bighorn. You like it once you get used to it.

 Try a variety of diff bullets, even if you and your buddies are the exact same, they probly wont shoot the same bullet into like sized groups. I like the Buffalo,Dead centers and the Knight Sabot load, all of these are lead and thats what I have built my loads around. Another variable to consider are powder and powder charges. I like T7 in my inlines, but real Swiss in my sidelock. A change of 5 to 10 grains can make a HUGE difference in accuracy one way or another.  T7  is the only BP sub that I like and reccomennd to others. I tried Shockey's gold , and didnt care for it, seemed dirtier and much harder to clean than T7 or reg BP. The T7 offers alot, that makes it easiser to devolpe loads, as well as clean up afterwards.

  BP requires quite abit of time and dedication to get everything working together, but once you find that sweet spot, it is well worth all of the hassel.

Hope this gives you some insight and if you ever need anymore information just let me know.


Sage

[HawkenBob]

Sage, have you tried American? Just wondering what your opinion is on it? Ive shot 3 cans of it now and love it so far. Cleaning is soooo easy and fast.
T7 is a no brainer. Seems everyone loves it.

[CP]

I find a scope to be very useful in working up a load.  It takes me out of the equation and I can see immediately where the shot hit.  It doesn’t have to be a good scope, just something that will hold zero, the higher the power the better. 

[Sagedawg]

HawkenBob,
  No I havent tried the American brand. I would if I could find it around here. I shoot loose powder, and Sportsmans only carries the sticks. When Ive asked them about it the answer is always "we only have what they put on the truck". Not the best answer to give a guy when he's looking to spend some money.

  How do you like it? Do you think its better than T7 velocity wise? I dont shoot over a chrony, so I do abit of load development to get what Im after. I have read than the clean-up is faster. Any issues with the dreader crud ring? And how does it store?


  Sage

[MHWASH]

ALthough I have never used T7. I have read that it was developed with in-lines in mind. There for it requires a more direct and hotter flame to ignite than a side lock-precussion cap can produce.

 
I will be most likely be going back to BP for deer next year.

[rasbo]

I use loose powder with my t/c blackdiamond 110 on the powder and 295 powerbelt works for me.The tru glow sights I love.I shoot well at a hundred but 50 yrds is all I will shot at an animal.Its a sneak thing with me.When I get to where I cant get within 50 yrds its rifle time.Thats just me..My own preference..so dont you guys go jumping me and hurting my feelings

[Sagedawg]

MH,

    My sidelock has been converted to shoot musket caps, and when I first changed it over I shot 10 to 15 shots with loose T7. Didnt have a problem, never mis fired, but I havent tried to do that with the pellets out of the same gun.  I bet it would increase the mis fires just because of flame travel and the spark isnt going into loose powder . Now you got me to thinking I need to try it and Ill keep you guys posted.


  Sage

[Intruder]

I find a scope to be very useful in working up a load.  It takes me out of the equation and I can see immediately where the shot hit.  It doesn’t have to be a good scope, just something that will hold zero, the higher the power the better. 

A buddy recommened the same thing.  Use a scope to get your load work out then put the open/peep back on to dial it in. 

Thanks to everyone for the good advice.  I'm definitely going to try a different powder and get a peep.

BTW.... What's American brand powder... just a variation of T7?

[MHWASH]

Sage,

 Let us know what you find out. I am by no means an expert, I just do a lot of research on the web when I get interested in something.

 I've only tried two powders, The real thing and Pyrodex. I've had less mis-fires with the BP. I hunted BP two years ago and lft my rifle loaded the whole late season. Well except when I missed the first day. It either raining or snowing the whole time nad I still did not have a mis-fire.

[Sagedawg]

Will do MH.



  Sage

[Intruder]

I figured out that the American brand is the stuff Shockey endorses.  Thought they were 2 different animals at first.

Is T7 and the American stuff legal as long as they are loose?  I know some states don't let you shoot pellets but I don't know if there are limitations on the actual powder.... I'm assuming they fall in that broad category of BP substitute that the states define as legal. 

[Sagedawg]

 I think most states allow any BP subs, but like you have stated, you make have to use loose to be legal. I think the pellet form are great when you are first starting out, but shooting the loose gives many more options. Sorry I missed getting back to you about the American brand.


   Sage

[HawkenBob]

Sage, to adress your question, I love the American. Its easy cleaning and low fouling. Ive got as many as 30 shots before cleaning. It seems to work really good out of my TC Hawken.

This weekend I shot some T7. My buddy shoots an inline and it seemed to be a really fast burn. His inline sounded like a rifle. Mine has that Ba-Boom, 2 stage kinda sound. I suspect it was due to his inline igniting faster.

I thought the T7 was fine. Is way spendier though. And its FFG is about half the grain size of the American. Ill shoot the bottle this year to see more how I like it. Only one more week of hunting for me...then more range firing.

I want to compare Dead centers to PB's this winter. 

But right now American Pioneer is my powder.