Hi All,

I just picked up an 15" Encore 209 x 50 magnum muzzle loader barrel and was wondering if anybody out there has any recomendations for saboted hunting loads for this barrel - primarily for whitetail. I'm especially interested in finding out if anyone shooting this barrel uses any saboted loads, for hunting or target, with 50-60 grains of Pyrodex pellets (1x 50g pellet, 2x 30g pellets). Since my other handgun barrel is a 44 magnum, I have lots of different .44 bullets that I reload with, which I want to use in this barrel with sabots. My 44 bullets range from 160 grains to 325 grains. All are hard cast except for some jacketed 240 grainers.

Thanks, Brett

I have and use a 15" 209x50 to hunt whitetails here in MD. The load I use with good success is the Hornady 240 gr XTP mag sabot in front of 2 50 grain Pyrodex pellets. It's very accurate to 100 yds although I haven't had to shoot that far in the field. I have shot several deer with this gun/load and none have moved after being hit, except straight down. Farthest shot in the field was last year at a little less than 70 yds on a 1.5 yr old doe. Caliber entrance at the back tip of the shoulder blade, quarter-size exit thru ribs.

It will consistently give groups from 1.5"-2" every day with this load. 1.5" is the norm, but some days groups run a tad bigger; it's the operator and not the gun/load. Mine has a 2-7 Burris mounted on it. The bullet itself is a 45 caliber so I can't comment on how any .429" bullet may/may not do. This load combo probably is overkill for deer (if there is such a thing), but it drops them and negates having to track them. Good luck in your search.

I have thought about getting one of these barrels since I bought my first Encore. What is the recoil like with the load mentioned above? Is it similar to your .44 or is it a bit heavier?

Actually the recoil isn't bad at all due to a couple of factors. The gun is fairly heavy with the scope, steel mounts/rings, ramrod w/2 thimbles, and a full-bull profile 15" bbl. I don't have a scale on hand to weigh it, but I'd guess it's 4.5-5 lbs. Another thing is I believe the grip shape/angle of the Encore is great for reducing felt recoil.

It's hard to compare it's recoil to that of my 44s because of the difference in grip shape/angle and that the recoil pushes into the hand rather than roll. But if I was pinned down, Id say the felt recoil of this gun/load in MY hand is less than the 44 and by quite a bit actually.

During range sessions, I've fired as many as 50-60 rounds at a sitting with absolutely no hand or wrist pain at all. I got tired of cleaning the barrel long before any discomfort from shooting. And I clean between every shot using 5-6 patches each time. In all, the felt recoil is quite tame and trust me, I'm no recoil junkie.

That's some good info, bisleyfan44. I've been thinking about getting that barrel myself but, didn't know anyone with one...should've asked someone here I guess......kral

yeah, thanks. I'm not afraid of recoil,but I know what recoil does to accuracy after a while. I remember shooting my 14" TC in .44 magnum about 30 - 50 times and thinking that this kind of fun was alomost too much. Then feeling it in my wrists and palms for about 2 days. maybe I'm a pu%$# for recoil, but I know what makes me cringe. I like to hit where I am aiming everytime without waiting to get smacked .... I killed 4 whitetails last season with a 7TCU. Little to no recoil. I say, find what you like, get good with it, and have fun!

Went to the range with it yesterday & experimented with numerous loads. For me, shooting two 50 grain pellets & a 240 grain bullet was similar to shooting my heavy .44 mag loads (310 bullet over 25 grains H110), and not necesarily something I wanted to do all day. One 50 grain pellet sent a 240 grain saboted .44 bullet down the range just fine, as did 60 gains (two 30 grain pellets). One pellet was fun to shoot with any of the saboted bullets I used - 160g, 180g, 200g & 240g. I shoot at an old gravel pit & don't have access to anything that checks velocity, but all of the one pellet loads plowed through pieces of 2"x4" treated lumber at 50 yards, so my guess is that they would be fine on a deer under 50 yards. I also shot 80g & 90g loads with all of the bullets mentioned above. The 80 grain loads were fine, but the 90 grainers where very similar to the 100 grain loads for me. I did shoot some 300 grain saboted .44 bullets over the 80 grain loads (1 50g pellet, 1 30g pellet) and they were easy on the hand but hard on the lumber, so they would also do the job on deer and probably larger game like bear.

I definitely agree about the cleaning between shots. I swabbed the barrel between shots to keep accuracy on the mark. I did try Outer's new barrel scrubbing foam when I got home. Filled the barrel & let it sit for 30 minutes and then put some patches (5) through it until they came out clean. That stuff took all the scrubbing out of cleaning which I did enjoy.

Thanks, Brett

Finally a question I might have some information about. I too, use the 15" encore ml barrel-took a small doe last year in Md. at 30 yards. I have shot XTP's 250 and 300 grain(I used a 300 gr. on the doe)I also have tested 275 Barnes XPB's however they need about 1400 fps to open and with blackmag 3 or 777 I was getting 1540-1620 fps. this translated into about a 40 -60 yard bullet.(normally I use this load in my savage ml which is effective out to 250 yards(speed needed to fully mushroom)

The main reason I used blackmag 3 and also shockey gold is my allergies. 777 also left it's crud ring and you need to clean
between every shot.
I plan to get some blackhorn 209 this summer and test it out-good reviews-- http://www.blackhorn209.com/

http://www.chuckhawks.com/blackpowder_breakthrough.htm--Randy Wakeman did a review and said--
"Invariably, accuracy questions arise with a new propellant. Well, the best way I can describe Blackhorn 209 is that it shoots to the limit of your individual sabot, bullet, rifle and, of course, the nut behind the butt. When I flinched properly on a calm day, I was able to get several 3/4 inch 100 yard groups out of a Savage 10ML-II and Barnes Originals with MMP Orange sabots. It also did well with TMZ 290 Barnes, traditional Barnes 300 gr. MZ-Expanders and Hornady .458 #4500 HP bullets with orange MMP .458 / 50 sabots. On some gustier, windier days I managed 1-1/2 to 1-7/8 inch groups with the same load array. 100 grains of BH209 (by volume) and a Barnes TMZ 290 is more than you need to take most North American game out to 160 yards or so holding center mass. The TMZ 290 and the Barnes Original remain among muzzleloadings most streamlined bullets, with all of the terminal performance for which you could hope."

I too have a supply of Barnes tmz and will test them with the new powder-I realize the pistol barrel will develop less velocity. I also shot the 200 grain Hornady in a blue mmp sabot(fits 50 cal.) but had very poor results. I shot 250 SST's and 300 SST's but settled on the XTP's due to short range time before early ml season and I already had about 400 XTP's with sabot. and I have to admit the old bullet shot good.

And believe it or not (call me wierd if you like), the walnut grip is more comfortable for me to shoot with than the rubber grip. I guess it fits me better or something? With the 100 gr load there is plenty of blast and a little muzzle jump, but very little felt recoil. Very fun gun to shoot.

Hi there Hunlee here!!!Hunlee have question????When loading up muzzle loader pistol how you hold gun when you ram bullit down barrel???Hunlee shoot muzzle loader rifle and when Hunlee ram bullit down barrel butt stock wood is placed on ground but with pistol they is no butt stock wood to place on ground!!!!Youin just hold pistol in yur hand when you ram bullit down barrel???

hunlee

I commonly hold it in-between my knees.

I load it the same way, with the gun between my knees. I shot mine with the Pachmayr grip which fits my hand better than TC's wood & rubber grips, I feel like it's right in between T/C's grips. I will try the 240 XTP's my next trip to the range. I use Pyrodex pellets and Buffalo Bullet Company's yellow buffalo buster sabots with all my loads.

Brett

Thankyou for the pointer as Hunlee allway wanted a muzzle loader pistol for deer hunting!!!!You think Hunlee should buy a TC Encore rifle barrel and then have gun smith saw off the barrel them re crown????Hunlee not have a Encore fraime butt maybe down the road Hunlee get one......Hunlee have a Contender tho but maybee Encore be better than Contender for muzzle loader shooting....17 incher barrel like Hunlee 17 incher 7-30 water barrel wood work very nice for Hunlee!!!!

hunlee

They use to make a 50 black powder in a pistol. I would look for one used and try to save some money. That is if you can talk the sweet Mrs. into it.