New to ML, having some problems

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blanton

Well-Known Member
Joined
Sep 25, 2009
Messages
55
City & State/Province
Athens, TN
This is my 1st season of ML hunting, after a great first archery season, and I'm having some issues with my new set up.

I have a CVA Acura and keep having delayed fires using Blackhorn 209 powder (100 grains) and Federal 209 caps with Powerbelt 295gr loads. This is what the salesman at Benton Shooter's Supply recommended for the gun. The blackhorn powder seems pretty popular here, so my question is where to begin in trouble shooting this issue. I swab my barrel twice between shots with the breach plug removed and it looks spotless. I use a thin wire to make sure the hole in the plug is unobstructed, and check it visually. I feel like it is very clean before each shot, but i repeatedly get delayed reactions between the primer and powder, and once today It didn't even ignite the powder after two primers. I have it sighted in nicely with 2" groups at 100yds, but I'm loosing confidence in it with all of the missfires (2 out of 4 today). Should I change powder, ditch the powerbands, or change primers first to solve this issue?
 
Are you firing a primer to blow out the flash hole before loading the gun? That's what I was always taught instead of cleaning it with a thin wire.
 
I haven't tried this trick. Thanks, I'm new at this and sort of went overkill after the first misfire to no avail.
 
Thanks Carlos. I was told by a couple of old timers I hunt with to stay away from pellets, but I'll try them out if I can find that brand tomorrow.
 
i dont think you are supposed to shoot the "hot" muzzleloading primers with the bh209 powder. just use regular 209 primers like cheddite
 
buckdead said:
i dont think you are supposed to shoot the "hot" muzzleloading primers with the bh209 powder. just use regular 209 primers like cheddite
Click to expand...

Wrong...you want to shoot the hottest 209 primers such as CCI Magnum and Federal 209A. I had hangfires with a CVA Optima Elite till I changed to the Federal 209A primers. If you are having hangfires with the Federal 209 primers, you'll need to try a tight fitting sabot and compress with about 40-50 lbs of pressure with the ram rod. Barnes TMZ or T/C Shockwave sabots should work. Do not get the T-EZ load or Super glide sabots, you want them to fit tight. The key is using a hot 209 primer, using a tight fitting sabot, and compressing the charge tightly.
 
Using the BH209 you shouldn't really need to swab that much until you've shot several times. After firing try just reloading with no steps in between and see how things go. It sounds like you're checking your vent hole and plug well but sometimes swabbing will only push the residue to the bottom of the barrel and plug the flash hole. Putting powder in and then pushing a bullet down at least puts the residue at the base of the bullet on top of the powder column. Barring that I'd try some different sabots and bullets. I see you're right here in Athens with me.
 
UTGrad said:
buckdead said:
i dont think you are supposed to shoot the "hot" muzzleloading primers with the bh209 powder. just use regular 209 primers like cheddite
Click to expand...

Wrong...you want to shoot the hottest 209 primers such as CCI Magnum and Federal 209A. I had hangfires with a CVA Optima Elite till I changed to the Federal 209A primers. If you are having hangfires with the Federal 209 primers, you'll need to try a tight fitting sabot and compress with about 40-50 lbs of pressure with the ram rod. Barnes TMZ or T/C Shockwave sabots should work. Do not get the T-EZ load or Super glide sabots, you want them to fit tight. The key is using a hot 209 primer, using a tight fitting sabot, and compressing the charge tightly.
Click to expand...
yep i got that azz backwards. ive tried a couple diffrent powders here lately and got it mixed up
 
I grabbed some TC Shockwaves (actually all Wally world had left), 250gr vs the 295gr PB's, and shot ten times without a single issue. Shot two inches lower than the PB's, which surprised me as it was a lighter load.... adjusted and shot two nice groups all within an inch of bullseye at 100yds. I feel confident in my rig for tomorrow, so thanks guys for the advice and wish me luck. BTW, I love the Accura!
 
Hogbear said:
Are you firing a primer to blow out the flash hole before loading the gun? That's what I was always taught instead of cleaning it with a thin wire.
Click to expand...

EXACTLY !!
 
The new set up worked perfectly! Got a nice doe at dusk, about 120 yard shot while she was walking slowly through my lane.... my 1st ML kill! I actually shot at a big 8 pointer at 8AM and clipped a branch on a 100 yard shot for a nice clean miss. He was a beauty, so I hope I get another chance at him in the morning. It sounded like the Civil War this morning, shots all around my property, so he may have been tagged. Saw nothing between 11AM and 6PM, should have gone home and come back at 4. It sounded like the Civil War this morning, shots all around my property, so he may have been tagged.
 
Same primers (Federal A's)? So far the BH 209 is living up to its reputation, but if i get a misfire tomorrow its back to the drawing board and I'll give it a try. Thanks for the help.
 

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