Blackhorn 209, Pro's and Con's

[stringtalker]

Who uses it, why do you like it or why don't you like it, and can you use acetone to clean up after it

 

[Vermin93]

I use it, I love it, I use the same cleaners that I use on my centerfire rifles.

You get waaaaaay more shots between cleaning with BH209.

All these advantages are true:

http://www.blackhorn209.com/specs/advantages/

Frequently Asked Questions:

http://www.blackhorn209.com/faqs/

 

[bandit3]

I swore I'd never go back to smokeless powder after I got my Savage mz but the last day of the 2013 season my sling broke and the gun fell muzzle first on a rock. It jarred it enough to drop the firing pin and it ruined the barrel. Getting to the point I bought a T/C Omega and tried several powders. The Blackhorn shot the best and wasn't as dirty. I swab the barrel with a wet patch after shooting it and at the end of the season I scrubbed it with some old T/C black powder solvent I had from my last black powder gun. So far I'm pleased with it but I miss my Savage.

 

[GMB54]

Since using it i have never touched Triple7 again and ive only tested other subs. None have lived upto the hype. If i shoot anything else its Swiss or Olde Enysford.

Besides the typical reasons, my favorite is i can measure it in my RCBS Chargemaster 1500 Combo. No other sub is as safe to use in auto powder dispensers. Its also the most consistent of any sub when measured by volume. Basically no dust at the bottom of the bottle. All the grains are extremely uniform in size just like most smokeless powders.

This allows it to work very well through volumetric powder dispensers like the Redding 3BR.

 

[GMB54]

I swore I'd never go back to smokeless powder after I got my Savage mz but the last day of the 2013 season my sling broke and the gun fell muzzle first on a rock. It jarred it enough to drop the firing pin and it ruined the barrel. Getting to the point I bought a T/C Omega and tried several powders. The Blackhorn shot the best and wasn't as dirty. I swab the barrel with a wet patch after shooting it and at the end of the season I scrubbed it with some old T/C black powder solvent I had from my last black powder gun. So far I'm pleased with it but I miss my Savage.

So do you think if your Savage was loaded with BH209 there would have been no damage to the barrel?

It seems unlikely.

 

[bandit3]

No it would have been screwed either way. The smokeless powder was just so easier to mess with and it shot great.

 

[Vermin93]

I swab the barrel with a wet patch after shooting it and at the end of the season I scrubbed it with some old T/C black powder solvent I had from my last black powder gun.

You're not supposed to clean BH209 that way.

See FAQ #12:

http://www.blackhorn209.com/faqs/

Use ONLY oil-based solvents. DO NOT use black powder cleaners that are water-based. We recommend Blackhorn 209 Solvent by Montana X-Treme.

 

[bandit3]

Ok I'll try it. Thanks.

 

[LanceS4803]

Pro:
You get a LOT more shots between cleaning.
No crud ring.
Doesn't attract/hold moisture.

Con:
Those little pellets are super easy to carry as reloads in the field.

 

[AT Hiker]

All I can say is it is the best powder I have ever shot out of my Pro Hunter. It turned it into the accurate mzl it should be. 250 yards is a realistic shot with the load I am using that I came up with for Western hunting.


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[MUP]

After relentlessly trying to make BH209 work in my PRE 2010 CVA Kodiak Mag, I was forced to go back to my previous powder. Apparently the BP design just isn't conducive to using BH209 in it's design. I had a hangfire every 3-4 shots, even using magnum primers, and cleaning the BP each time. I did love how it left a relatively clean barrel, but, using the mag primers still did a number on my BP.

 

[GMB54]

After relentlessly trying to make BH209 work in my PRE 2010 CVA Kodiak Mag, I was forced to go back to my previous powder. Apparently the BP design just isn't conducive to using BH209 in it's design. I had a hangfire every 3-4 shots, even using magnum primers, and cleaning the BP each time. I did love how it left a relatively clean barrel, but, using the mag primers still did a number on my BP.

The older non QRBP for CVAs can be modified for very good BH209 reliability and longevity. Ron on the Modern MuzzleLoader board is probably still offering his service for a small fee.

These had the flash channel drilled out to 1/8" and 5/32. The flash hole was replaced with a Savage type vent liner .031-.033

In the Kodiak, you cant adjust head space so an o-ring or shim can be put in the primer pocket to greatly reduce blowby. Your plug may or may not need them if you use the longest Win209 primer. Keep the flash channel clear of carbon and you will have a very reliable breach plug.

 

[GMB54]

No it would have been screwed either way. The smokeless powder was just so easier to mess with and it shot great.

You should check Dougs board for a used OEM barrel or an aftermarket 45cal barrel if you still have the action. The 45s are a real pleasure to shoot.

 

[bandit3]

Appreciate that.

 

[Jcalder]

I started using it 2 years ago. It shoots better with a dirty than using 777 would. I messed and didn't clean my gun right away. It left spots on my muzzle. I'm sure the inside has it too. I've learned I had to go back to my old methods. If I shoot it it gets cleaned that night


Big or small, kill em all

 

[KPH]

I didn't think I would like it then I tried it. It is worth the money.

 

[iowavf]

What I like about it is my 1st shot from my Encore is the same as the 15th shot. With 777 I had it sighted in with a dirty barrel because I didn't like the idea of needing to run a wet/dry patch down the barrel before reloading. My gun will set for a couple weeks in the garage or pickup loaded and sometimes even being fire a couple times before I clean it and haven't had any issues.