first kill with new Encore/Endeavor

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waumpuscat

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Man this rifle is sweet! You guys that pay close attention to performance of loads and bullets may be interested to know it was a well placed 70 yard shot with 100grain of Shocky Gold(I don't like this stuff)and a 250 gr SST. No pass through! no blood trail

I am just getting back into muzzleloading and I let the guy at the gun shop sell me this stuff. It does not group as well as I believe the rifle is capable.
 
No offense to you as it was sold to you, but Shockey Gold is the last powder I would use. I've seen variations in velocity as much as 450fps from shot to shot. Get you some trusty 777 or Blackhorn should work well in your Endeavor as well. That's way too nice of a gun to be shooting sub par groups with it. As far as the SST goes, many people have killed lots of deer with them but if you are not pleased with them then I would suggest you look for something else for next year. It doesn't really matter what we think of it if you're not confident in them. But if it were me, I'd try some .458 300g Nosler or a Barnes of just about any size. I don't think I can recal hearing anyone say that they have not liked those two choices in bullets.

Nonetheless, don't let the performace get you down. MLs are very effective guns when you find the right combination. Congrats on the kill, looks like some mighty fine eatin'
 
Thanks you guys, you are quite courteous. I have learned a lot on this forum and I really appreciate your input. Paboom, I believe you are exactly right about that powder. I am no expert but my own experience on the range shows real inconsistency with this powder. Looking forward to being an enthusiastic ML hunter!
 
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Congrats on your kill.

I have read a lot of negative comments of Jim Shockey powder.
All over the net. You are not alone.

I'm shooting 777 pellets fine,but over the summer I plan of trying some loose powders,and fine tune my Omega.
This ML is a much better gun than I expected it to be.
 
what do I use to measure the powder if I go to a 209 Blackhorn and where do you get it. Also where can I get Barns bullets and which would be a good choice?
 
I know how you feel about the Shockey crap, I was shocked myself when I seen the 2-feet variation from shot to shot from my encore, I wouldn't give you a plug nickel for a truck load of that stuff, loose 777 all the way.
 
waumpuscat said:
what do I use to measure the powder if I go to a 209 Blackhorn and where do you get it. Also where can I get Barns bullets and which would be a good choice?
Click to expand...

Walmart or any sporting goods store should sell powder measures. I prefer the metal ones but a couple guys I know swear by the clear plastic ones. Doesn't really matter I don't guess.

There really isn't a bad Barnes bullet out there right now. For deer around here (assuming you're not regularly shooting 200 yards) I would probably suggest the Expanders in either 250 or 300g. Which ever shoots best. If you're shooting farther distances then the Spit-Fire has a little better BC. Good luck. They're expensive but a very good bullet.
 
I am definitely getting rid of the Shockey stuff. With so many people having such crummy results you would think that stuff would not even be on the market. I think I will try the Blackhorn 209 and a Barns bullet. Does it matter what primer I put with this load?
 
waumpuscat said:
Does it matter what primer I put with this load?
Click to expand...

If you're going to shoot Blackhorn it needs to be a hotter one. I like the Winchester 209s but I've had good results with BH and CCIs as well. Just stay away from the ML primers like 777 primers and Kleanbores.

Good luck and let us know what you get worked out.
 

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