Muzzleloader Question, working on a potential setup for my son

[JXB0805]

My question, have any of you used the minimum charge recommended for Blackhorn Powder, 80 grains and a 250 grain sabot to successfully harvest a deer?

We struck out on the Juvenile, and I'm wanting to carry him before Nov. 22.

My history, as well as most folks it seems is most deer don't bleed as much or at all with lower velocities from a muzzleloader.

The shot for him would be 100 yards or less, more like 50-60. And according to one of the apps I use for reloading the data shows the ft-lb/energy at 100 yards with that setup would be 1160.

Interested in everyone's thoughts!
Thanks

 

[Lost Lake]

I've never used the lower charge of Blackhorn 209, as I use 100 grains in mine, but I do think bullets matter. I use a Hornady 240 XTP saboted bullet in my inlines, and have for years. My velocities run close to what a 44 mag rifle puts out, ( and the working velocity window that Hornady recommends for that bullet) and I've always gotten good blood trails on vital hits, even on the few that didn't pass through.

With that lower charge you mention and a good expanding bullet that has integrity as well, you should be fine. Hope you get it worked out!

 

[JXB0805]

I've never used the lower charge of Blackhorn 209, as I use 100 grains in mine, but I do think bullets matter. I use a Hornady 240 XTP saboted bullet in my inlines, and have for years. My velocities run close to what a 44 mag rifle puts out, ( and the working velocity window that Hornady recommends for that bullet) and I've always gotten good blood trails on vital hits, even on the few that didn't pass through.

With that lower charge you mention and a good expanding bullet that has integrity as well, you should be fine. Hope you get it worked out!

Thanks for sharing!

 

[quackaholic]

My question, have any of you used the minimum charge recommended for Blackhorn Powder, 80 grains and a 250 grain sabot to successfully harvest a deer?

We struck out on the Juvenile, and I'm wanting to carry him before Nov. 22.

My history, as well as most folks it seems is most deer don't bleed as much or at all with lower velocities from a muzzleloader.

The shot for him would be 100 yards or less, more like 50-60. And according to one of the apps I use for reloading the data shows the ft-lb/energy at 100 yards with that setup would be 1160.

Interested in everyone's thoughts!
Thanks

I used to use 80 gr of pyrodex, and a big bullet. Move up to 300 gr and he should be able to smoke em. Try Barnes or even a hard cast bullet. They will get er done.

 

[JXB0805]

I used to use 80 gr of pyrodex, and a big bullet. Move up to 300 gr and he should be able to smoke em. Try Barnes or even a hard cast bullet. They will get er done.

Thanks

 

[paboom]

My question, have any of you used the minimum charge recommended for Blackhorn Powder, 80 grains and a 250 grain sabot to successfully harvest a deer?

Yes, a lot of them too. For <100 yards, that is plenty of energy.

 

[Remi]

If properly placed you'll have no issue with your current setup. Just be sure you're bullet isn't so hard it won't expand with the lower velocity.

A lighter mono 200gr or 225gr would give plenty of velocity for expansion and tissue disruption while still digging deep.

Barnes XPB would be worth a look

 

[Griswold]

50 grains of 777 and 240 xtp kills em all day long 100 and in, you should be fine

 

[Carlos Viagra]

I'm shooting a 240gr xtp and 80gr by volume of BH209.

It's plenty potent enough, just make sure you have the matching breech plug and magnum primers for the BH209.

Best of luck to you guys!!

 

[mike243]

Carlos is shooting a good load, I shoot the same when I carry the CVA

 

[Gravey]

I used to shoot 90grains pyrodex and a 240-grain XTP in a Knight. In my encore I shoot the same XTP but using 100 grains 777 (two 50 grain pellets). Think you'd be just fine with 80 grains.

 

[Billboy]

My daughter shoots 75gr BH209 with a .40 cal 180 XTP - perfectly fine inside 100yds.

 

[mike243]

Back in the early years my brother killed a lot of deer with 50g of pyrodex and about a 350g bullet, blood trails are never guaranteed depending on where you hit them, lot of stuff in there to block blood getting out and the higher up you shoot the longer it takes to get a blood trail, lower hits will always leave blood at impact, it may peter out if lungs ect block holes.

 

[user 25761]

I am going through same thing currently.

I have 60gr of BH209 and a 200gr Barnes xpb shooting decent groups.

I'm going to shoot a deer with it before letting my son give it a go.

I'll post results this weekend. I'm going to shoot the first doe or nice buck that I see.

 

[Stalkhunter]

I use 80 grains of 777 and a 300 grain bullet, no issues putting them down.

 

[MUP]

I've been using 70 gr by WEIGHT BH 209 under a 260 gr lead conical for a few years.

 

[Smokyrider]

I use 80 gr by WEIGHT which is supposed to be around 115 by volume of Blackhorn 209.

 

[WanderingNomad]

I have settled on 75gr. by weight of BH 209 and a 245gr Barnes Spit-Fire bullet

 

[jfelts1994]

My question, have any of you used the minimum charge recommended for Blackhorn Powder, 80 grains and a 250 grain sabot to successfully harvest a deer?

We struck out on the Juvenile, and I'm wanting to carry him before Nov. 22.

My history, as well as most folks it seems is most deer don't bleed as much or at all with lower velocities from a muzzleloader.

The shot for him would be 100 yards or less, more like 50-60. And according to one of the apps I use for reloading the data shows the ft-lb/energy at 100 yards with that setup would be 1160.

Interested in everyone's thoughts!
Thanks

Hi, I have harvested a deer out of my Knight Mountaineer with a charge of 90 grains with a 250gr sabot at 110 yards. No, he did not bleed well but was dead 50-60 yards from where he was shot. Shot placement will be key. I know it is 10 grains above what you asked but If you cut the distance in half I cannot imagine that the load you are suggesting would not get the job done if the max distance was 60-75 yards.

 

[redblood]

Agree with hornaday xtps

 

[ruger7mag]

70 grains by volume of bh209
250 grain Barnes harvester
Cci 209m primer
Shoots great for my wife and kids out of a CVA wolf.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

Agree with hornaday xtps

It is still really important to make sure you actually hit the deer, even with the XTP's.
So make sure the crosshairs are on the vitals before squeezing the trigger.

(Sometimes we have to re-learn the most basic lessons due to buck fever.)
Hope this helps.

 

[Harold Money jr]

When I used bh209 I shot 63gr/weight and a 300gr XTP. I've always used and am back to using 240gr XTP and either 777 or pyrodex p at 80gr for both. It kills very well.

 

[JXB0805]

I'm shooting a 240gr xtp and 80gr by volume of BH209.

It's plenty potent enough, just make sure you have the matching breech plug and magnum primers for the BH209.

Best of luck to you guys!!

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.

 

[JXB0805]

My daughter shoots 75gr BH209 with a .40 cal 180 XTP - perfectly fine inside 100yds.

Awesome!

 

[megalomaniac]

Continue to petition the commissioners to allow juveniles to use centerline rifles during ML season.

I did that every year when my kids were juvies. It will reduce the number of shot but unrecovered deer when that is permitted.

 

[Remi]

Thanks for the feedback, appreciate it.

This page has bullet tests with 50gr by volume charges of blackhorn.


http://rchs61.org/completecapture.htm

 

[user 25761]

I shot a doe this morning with the load I mentioned above. Was only 15yds, quartering towards me.

The bullet went through the scapula. Took out both lungs, hit liver and then exited just behind the diaphragm catching some guts on the exit.

The recoil is about like a 30-30 and performance was amazing.


80lbs dressed.

 

[Remi]

I shot a doe this morning with the load I mentioned above. Was only 15yds, quartering towards me.

The bullet went through the scapula. Took out both lungs, hit liver and then exited just behind the diaphragm catching some guts on the exit.

The recoil is about like a 30-30 and performance was amazing.


80lbs dressed.

Congrats


The lighter Barnes XPB's have a great reputation.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

I shot a doe this morning with the load I mentioned above. Was only 15yds, quartering towards me.

The bullet went through the scapula. Took out both lungs, hit liver and then exited just behind the diaphragm catching some guts on the exit.

The recoil is about like a 30-30 and performance was amazing.


80lbs dressed.

Way to go!