Blackhorn209

Western Powders - BLACKHORN209

Blackhorn 209 is a revolutionary propellant that is redefining the term “accuracy” in the muzzleloading industry. When used as directed, this high performance powder consistently shoots at higher velocities and with greater precision than any competing propellant. As the ONLY noncorrosive muzzleloading powder, Blackhorn 209 is engineered to eliminate swabbing and cleaning between shots. Precise accuracy, higher velocities and ease of use ensure Blackhorn 209 will bring out the best in your muzzleloading rifle.

Blackhorn 209 is the first and only noncorrosive propellant made for muzzleloaders and black powder cartridges. It is engineered to consistently shoots at higher velocities and with greater accuracy than any other muzzleloader powder available today. In fact, if you compare the benefits of Blackhorn 209, you will quickly see there are 10 areas where Blackhorn 209 simply smokes the competition:

1. Superior Ballistics and Unbeatable Accuracy
2. Noncorrosive and Low Residue
3. No Swabbing Between Shots
4. Easy Breech Plug Removal
5. No Special Primers Required
6. Not Affected by Temperature or Humidity
7. Uniform Size - "Good to the last shot"
8. Immediate Cleaning Not Necessary
9. Cleans with Regular Solvents
   
10. Extended Shelf Life

I started shooting Blackhorn 209 on March 11 2010. First day it arrived it was snowing and cold out. I can me an impatient person and this was one of those days! I looked the powder over, noting the smell of it, texture and how the granules have little holes bored right through the center! It didn't take long for me to measure out Three 100gr (Voume) Loads and put them into my Powder Tubes. Next i grabbed a box of CCI 209M Primers, put Three into my primer holder and headed out the door. Perfect timing too as the snow had stopped and it gave me enough time to get Three shots off at 50 yards and enough time to reload another Three shots inside and zero in the scope. First off, The powder is everything they say it is. Super Clean, Powderful. Everything Good they have to say about it dead on. Very little smoke when it goes off, Recoil seems to be a lot less due to it being a progressive burning powder. That less recoil was a huge welcome.

Clean up is very easy. I fired 22 shots in a day and a half after getting the powder. I had no carbon build up in the CVA Accura's breech plug, Nor did i have any misfires or hangfires. The CVA Breech Plug seems to do perfect with Blackhorn209.







Forum member Marty Jalonski posted this on The Powerbelt Forum:

Q: Don,

BARREL CLEANING: A few question regarding Blackhorn 209. I see it recommends using a standard "oil-based" solvent for barrel cleaning. Do you know whether this includes Hoppes classic gun solvent (which I think is petroleum based)? Can you still use standard liquid muzzleloader solvents which are not oil-based? Also sounds like plain water is also not recommended. What about soapy water? Is Montana's X-Treme 50 BMG the same as B209 Cleaning solvent by Montana X-Treme?

A: Marty,
“Barrel Cleaning -
BH209 leaves a black soot that is easily removed with oil based solvents. There is a host of them out there. The point is that you no longer have to put water in your barrel. You treat your gun more like a centerfire. You can use water based cleaners, but it does not do as good as oil based solvents and they are not as good for the steel as oil based products. We have done some experimenting with T17 and T17 Breech Plug Cleaner and found these to be effective as well. In fact we have found nothing better than T17 Breech Plug Cleaner for softening the primer fouling in the breech plug. The point is to avoid putting water in your gun.

The Montana X-Treme 50 BMG and Bore Solvent both contain ammonia for removing copper. This is not necessary for muzzle loaders. Montana X-Treme Cowboy Blend, USA Rimfire, BH209 Solvent and Bore Conditioning Oil would be suitable Montana X-Treme products. The Gun Oil is an excellent general lube and can be used inside and outside the barrel. Inside the barrel for long term storage and externally for good water repellant and protection.”

Q: Don,

BREECH PLUG RECOMMENDATIONS- I have a new 2010, .45 CVA Apex on order. Since Blackhorn 209 is specifically listed as a blackpowder substitute in the new CVA Apex manual, there will be no problem using blackhorn 209 in this ultra-modern in-line.

I just recently purchased a brand NIB, 2005 CVA Kodiak Pro(no longer made) with a SS breech plug, and was wondering whether or not the factory breech plug in this particular ML can be used with Blackhorn 209.

A: Breech Plug -
“I personally like the CVA Kodiak breech plug design. My absolute favorite is the T/C Omega breech plug. The CVA is a very close second. If it only had a 1/8" fire channel (just to make it easier to find a drill bit) it would be perfect. As you can see by the illustration attached, the fire channel takes a #32 drill bit. It is a little harder for people to find. The new QR Breech Plug has a long fire channel that puts the primer energy farther away from the powder, not exactly the way we wanted to see it go. Non the less we are still getting good ignition in the T/C and Traditions extended easy to remove breech plug. This just makes it even more important to keep the fire channel perfectly cylindrical.”


Q: With the longer firing channel in the QRBP in the Apex, would a 209 Magnum primer perhaps be a better choice?

A: Marty,

“I really like the magnum primer. I don't think that you can over ignite BH209. We use CCI 209M or Federal 209A primers all the time.’

Q: I shoot .45 cal. inlines. Can I use Blackhorn 209 Powder? (I noticed you do not have any load data/ballistics for a .45 muzzleloader.)

A: Marty,

“Thank you for the e-mail. We haven't had the time to generate any 45 cal data. We apologize for the inconveinience. BH209 has about the same energy as T7. Use the same load, and you will get slightly higher velocities”.

Best regards,
Don Luhr
Western Powders

As I get more load development and range time with this powder, Pictures will be added. But let me tell you, The groups I've shot so far have been the best, right out of the Can groups ever without having to work up and fine tune the loads!

My biggest beef with this powder is that I have been everywhere from Colorado Springs, To Denver without finding a store with this powder still in stock.