Is now a good time to get into Black Powder shooting?

[Ernie Bass]

There are very few models that sometimes have ignition problems with BH 209.
The CVA's require buying a 2nd breech plug that's made for it.
But the newer TC's don't have any problem with it as far as I know.
However, don't be dismayed if the powder does cause any issues such as a hang fire.
At the most, it could only be a matter of drilling the flash hole out to make it just a tiny bit larger.
Folks needed to do that with some of the older models to get BH 209 to work, but I think that has all been solved with the newer models.
Powder residue can always block the flash hole in the breech plug, but there's a poking tool for that, or just use a tiny drill bit, wire, or needle to keep that hole open.
TC is a good brand and makes accurate guns.
Good luck with it!

What Bullets do you use for target practice? (for a beginner)

 

[arcticap]

I can recommend but can't predict the results.
Right now Midway has a sale on 20 packs of .430 XTP bullets with sabots, and boxes of 100 of the same XTP bullets.
The 20 packs on sale may end up being cheaper than the bulk pack and sabots by a few bucks.
The only difference by buying the packs of 20 on sale is that the sabot is not ribbed and you still get to try them out.
Perhaps you want to buy 100 of each, but I can't promise how they will shoot.
Also, these are ,44 magnum .430 pistol bullets that mate in a .50 sabot instead of being .451 [.45] bullets that mate in a .50 sabot.
I shoot the .44's myself.

Normally I'd say to buy bulk lead bullets, XTP's or Gold Dots.
But you're not sure what will work best right now.
So you just want to try some out to see how that bullet weight range shoots.
240 - 250 grain bullets are the most popular weight on the market, and they kill deer dead.
If they shoot well, then you can buy similar weight bullets and sabots in bulk, either lead, jacketed or plated.

I was going to recommend TC Cheap Shots, which are a 240 grain all lead HP plinking bullet.
But they cost as much as the XTP's that are on sale.

And Gold Dots are hard to find right now because Speer recently had a rebate.

This is one of the safest recommendations that I can make at the moment.
You can start with a reduced powder charge of say 80 grains of powder instead of 90 grains.
And then try them with 85 - 90 grains, just to test them out at full strength.

Some folks buy 500 lead or plated bullets, but not just to test out.
Others will buy boxes of 100.
And still others buy premium bullets that cost nearly $1.00 each.

Hornady XTP 20 pack $8.99 --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002234214?pid=539065
XTP .430 240 gr, 100 pack on sale $29.99: --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010865576
Harvester .50 ribbed sabots for .430 bullets. pack of 50 $8.99 : --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002231268?pid=884314
TC sabots .50 unribbed sabots for .430 bullets pack of 50 $8.99 : --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002281140?pid=562630

TC Cheap Shot bullets with sabot 20 pack $8.99: --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002274911#:~:text=Thompson Center Cheap Shot Sabots,who prefers a lead projectile.

I saw these TC Cheap Shot bullets somewhere online for sale on clearance for $3.99, but I can't find them now.
But when you can find them cheap, you buy them.
Or buy a box of generic 240 - 250 grain lead or plated bullets for plinking, and then buy the sabots that work the best and are designed for that size bullet.
Using .451 bullets in a sabot is more common.
But ,430 bullets aren't bad, they're just a tad longer with a tad less diameter.
At this point, you're just trying to climb the learning curve to find what works with your gun and to form a basis for future comparison.

For future reference, here's the websites for the 2 major sabot makers.
Try to become familiar with their different sabots and the different size bullets that they will fit, some have differences.

MMP has 2 product pages. --->>> https://mmpsabots.com

When I went to the Harvester Sabots website, they have 2 different Hornady XTP bullets on clearance.

240 grain XTP MAG bullets 100 pack, .451 $22.99 plus tax. --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading....item/271-45-cal-240-gr-hornady-xtp-mag-bullet

XTP MAG bullets do not expand as well as regular XTP bullets.
They often pass right through deer without expanding, but would be fine for target shooting and accuracy testing.

300 grain .430 diameter XTP bullets 100 pack $25.99 plus tax: --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading....item/272-44-cal-300-gr-hornady-xtp-mag-bullet

These require buying the Harvester sabot indicated.
The longer 300 grain bullets don't always stabilize as well in every gun, in some guns they shoot great, and some guns they won't.
They may need to be pushed at a faster velocity with more RPM's for best accuracy.
They may shoot okay, they may shoot fine, but they are a little more risky to test out.
But the price is really good.

Here's the Harvester sabots page: --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading.com/index.php/products/sabots

And the Harvester sabots home page: --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading.com

Harvester makes crushed rib sabots which are supposed to be a little easier loading.
They also make sabots under different labels that are not crush rib.
Many people prefer the crush ribbed sabots.
Some prefer MMP's.
You'll try them both eventually, so maybe buy some bullets and give them a try in your gun.

 

[skeeterfogger]

Just have to know what thing are worth. Went to local pawn shop today. They have a Pietta 1851 Colt sheriff 44 brass. Unusual for them. They let me look at it. I looked at the tag. You are kidding, right? $200. Told them you can get theses all day for $200 NIB at Cabelas. Wait and $149. Online $10 coupon code. $140. Just study what's out there and know.

 

[Ernie Bass]

I can recommend but can't predict the results.
Right now Midway has a sale on 20 packs of .430 XTP bullets with sabots, and boxes of 100 of the same XTP bullets.
The 20 packs on sale may end up being cheaper than the bulk pack and sabots by a few bucks.
The only difference by buying the packs of 20 on sale is that the sabot is not ribbed and you still get to try them out.
Perhaps you want to buy 100 of each, but I can't promise how they will shoot.
Also, these are ,44 magnum .430 pistol bullets that mate in a .50 sabot instead of being .451 [.45] bullets that mate in a .50 sabot.
I shoot the .44's myself.

Normally I'd say to buy bulk lead bullets, XTP's or Gold Dots.
But you're not sure what will work best right now.
So you just want to try some out to see how that bullet weight range shoots.
240 - 250 grain bullets are the most popular weight on the market, and they kill deer dead.
If they shoot well, then you can buy similar weight bullets and sabots in bulk, either lead, jacketed or plated.

I was going to recommend TC Cheap Shots, which are a 240 grain an all lead HP plinking bullet.
But they cost as much as the XTP's that are on sale.

And Gold Dots are hard to find right now because Speer recently had a rebate.

This is one of the safest recommendations that I can make at the moment.
You can start with a reduced powder charge of say 80 grains of powder instead of 90 grains.
And then try them with 85 - 90 grains, just to test them out at full strength.

Some folks buy 500 lead or plated bullets, but not just to test out.
Others will buy boxes of 100.
And still others buy premium bullets that cost nearly $1.00 each.

Hornady XTP 20 pack $8.99 --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002234214?pid=539065
XTP .430 240 gr, 100 pack on sale $29.99: --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1010865576
Harvester .50 ribbed sabots for .430 bullets. pack of 50 $8.99 : --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002231268?pid=884314
TC sabots .50 unribbed sabots for .430 bullets pack of 50 $8.99 : --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002281140?pid=562630

TC Cheap Shot bullets with sabot 20 pack $8.99: --->>> https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002274911#:~:text=Thompson Center Cheap Shot Sabots,who prefers a lead projectile.

I saw these TC Cheap Shot bullets somewhere online for sale on clearance for $3.99, but I can't find them now.
But when you can find them cheap, you buy them.
Or buy a box of generic 240 - 250 grain lead or plated bullets for plinking, and then buy the sabots that work the best and are designed for that size bullet.
Using .451 bullets in a sabot is more common.
But ,430 bullets aren't bad, they're just a tad longer with a tad less diameter.
At this point, you're just trying to climb the learning curve to find what works with your gun and to form a basis for future comparison.

For future reference, here's the websites for the 2 major sabot makers.
Try to become familiar with their different sabots and the different size bullets that they will fit, some have differences.

MMP has 2 product pages. --->>> https://mmpsabots.com

When I went to the Harvester Sabots website, they have 2 different Hornady XTP bullets on clearance.

240 grain XTP MAG bullets 100 pack, .451 $22.99 plus tax. --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading....item/271-45-cal-240-gr-hornady-xtp-mag-bullet

XTP MAG bullets do not expand as well as regular XTP bullets.
They often pass right through deer without expanding, but would be fine for target shooting and accuracy testing.

300 grain .430 diameter XTP bullets 100 pack $25.99 plus tax: --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading....item/272-44-cal-300-gr-hornady-xtp-mag-bullet

These require buying the Harvester sabot indicated.
The longer 300 grain bullets don't always stabilize as well in every gun, in some guns they shoot great, and some guns they won't.
They may need to be pushed at a faster velocity with more RPM's for best accuracy.
They may shoot okay, they may shoot fine, but they are a little more risky to test out.
But the price is really good.

Here's the Hervester sabots page: --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading.com/index.php/products/sabots

And the Harvester sabots home page: --->>> https://www.harvestermuzzleloading.com

Harvester makes crushed rib sabots which are supposed to be a little easier loading.
They also make sabots under different labels that are not crush rib.
Many people prefer the crush ribbed sabots.
Some prefer MMP's.
You'll try them both eventually, so maybe buy some bullets and give them a try in your gun.

Thanks for all the work you put into this. I have made a copy and will start getting into this. I have about 30 rds now to get started but want to get to around 500 rds soon.

 

[drobs]

See I would try some round ball and real black powder in that modern rifle. Just for giggles.
My only rifle is Lyman Great Plains percussion in 54 cal.

 

[Eyrie G. Dogg]

Never used 209. Does it work in black powder revolvers? Dumb question, maybe, but you guys are patient, so I'll ask.

 

[arcticap]

Thanks for all the work you put into this. I have made a copy and will start getting into this. I have about 30 rds now to get started but want to get to around 500 rds soon.

Ernie Bass,
Please heed the warning on the label of the Black Horn 209 powder and always clean the residue as promptly as possible.
It's best to not risk gun corrosion, especially if living in a humid environment.
Because BH 209 is not truly a smokeless powder, it can cause corrosion.



The warning below may be from an older label.

 

[Ernie Bass]

Ernie Bass,
Please heed the warning on the label of the Black Horn 209 powder and always clean the residue as promptly as possible.
It's best to not risk gun corrosion, especially if living in a humid environment.
Because BH 209 is not truly a smokeless powder, it can cause corrosion.

View attachment 936355

The warning below may be from an older label.

View attachment 936356

Thanks arcticap.

 

[USN-VET22]

I have put off buying a Black powder for way too long. And just have not kept up with all that is necessary. I am thinking now might be a good time to get started. One, going to the range will give me the One shot one kill type of shooting I prefer and also enjoying the time and just not blasting through a lot of ammo. (similar to a single shot Rifle) But with the ammo shortage, I wonder if this will turn out to be just another gun going into the safe or closet because of scarcity of ammo and COMPONENTS. In essence it will be a new HOBBY.

Where I live, northern Colorado, Loveland to be exact, there are a good number of Black Powder Rifles, Pistol Kits & Revolvers to be found in the stores. I just purchased an 1858 Army Revolver 5 days ago at Cabela's and they also had all the fixin's to boot. I however prefer the prices at Sportsman's Warehouse a lot closer to home and added to my supplies easily walking out with 2 lbs of Pyrodex "P", 400 Speer .454" Round Balls and 400 Remington #10 Percussion Caps with plenty left on the shelves for others.

I guess it would depend on where you live and how well they have the store there stocked. It's always a good idea to buy in advance like I do just in case of mystery viruses appearing out of nowhere... This is just a good a time as ever to start Black Powder shooting, just do some recon 1st...