Found my CO Elk loads.....

[reloader]

I've been shooting a good bit with my Knight and my Omega to find some loads for my Sept Bull hunt in CO.

I tried 348 PBs in the Knight(while still scoped) with 3f 777 and came up with a 1.5" group at 110yds with 80g and 3-4" groups with 90 and 100 grns. I mounted some TG Muzzle Bright sights and went with the 80grn load(chronoing 1650fps).

I tried FPBs and 348PBs in the Omega and couldn't get a consistent combo. I like the Omega much better, but the Knight was getting the nod thus far. Then, someone suggested a BH209 load, so I went by Bass Pro and picked up a can. This was my first group with 90g BH209 under the 350grn Hdy FPBs. Man, I'm impressed to say the least and I hope it repeats next time out.



I also ran some 348 PBs through the Knight with 80g 3f T7 again. My last range trip with it, I tried 90grn w/ no success, so I went back to 80grn and put two 1.5" apart and 1" high at 100. Here's 3 at 80yds from yesterday, the first out of a clean bbl was a tad low, but the next 2 were good. I can't ask for much more with open sights and my eyesight.



I'll run them again before it gets too hot, but I think I'll have a good set of Mlers to carry to CO in Sept.

Have a Good One,

Reloader

[grouse]

The Elk are in trouble now. Good luck on your Hunt. I hope you are using Federal 209a primers with that powder.

[reloader]

Nope, Win 209s.

Some are using Rem STS primers and the win 209 is hotter, so I should be fine.

The bottle just says 209 and not the MLer 209s.

209a is not much hotter than win 209.

Reloader

[wilmsmeyer]

350 GR. of lead and/or copper and 4-5 inch groups out to 125 yds and the elk are in trouble.

If you like to eat the heart, don't aim for it....looks like you would hit it. ;D

[grouse]

May 26, 2009 16:05:01 GMT -5 @reloader said:

209a is not much hotter than win 209.

www.hpmuzzleloading.com/Technical3.html

I did a lot of testing this winter with Winchester primers and BH209. A lot of mis-fires in multiple guns in very cold weather. federal are the only primer that made it thru the winter with no mis-fires.

[younghunter86]

Reloader-

I would also suggest using a magnum (CCIm or 109A). At least give them a try, if the accuracy stays, I would use them for peace of mind alone. After you've had a misfire, and the deer look right at you wondering "what the heck was that?" I will do everything I can to never see that look again. Very cheap insurance as far as I'm concerned. I think of BH209 primers like women, Hot is great, but hotter is better!

[davewolf]

Great shooting! I think we have another BH209 fan! I know I am. On a side note, I like CC! m's as well. I've had a few misfires with the plain CCI 209 primers but not with the M's.
Hope you have a great hunt--those elk are in trouble!
Have a great day!
Dave

[reloader]

Guys, I happen to have 300 CCI 209Ms, I know this sounds silly and it really isn't a way to determine anything, but I popped some primers with the win 209s and the cciMs in the omega and the wins gave a louder report.

What rifles did you have misfires in?

I chatted with a guy that killed a nice cow last year with 90g BH209 using the mild rem sts primers in an Omega. He said the STSs with BH209 gave the best accuracy in his Omega.

I've loaded shotgun for years and win 209s are my favorites. I've always used them in my MLers w/o a hitch. I would think smokeless is harder to ignite than BH209 and wins have never let me down in ML10IIs with any powders I've tried, even slow burners like 2015.

Reloader

[grouse]

CCI 209M should be fine. I tested primers in T/C Triumph and Knight Elites. Winchester was not reliable in really cold weather. warm weather would not be an issue.

BH209 is harder to ignite than savage reccomended powders in my opinion.

[whyohe]

reloader nice shooting there. i think you found the load. i use the win 209 and fed 209As im my savage using smokeless and not had a misfire yet, but it is a pretty tight load. i think if you dont have a tight fitting load you MIGHT get a misfire. if i remember the fed 209As are the hottest to date. i'll have to find the info.

[reloader]

Thanks guys.

I plan on giving some CCI 209Ms a go this weekend since I have 3 boxes on hand. Primers are a bear to find around here right now.

Whyohe, the FPBs are pretty snug in the Omega.

Ya'll have a Good One,

Reloader

[reloader]

I ran several loads with the CCI209Ms this weekend. They shot fine and that's what I'll use. My first 3 gave a 3" group at 101yds with 90grns BH209 and the 350 FPBs. POI was about 3" right, so I moved left a bit where my last two were on the bottom and mid left edges of a 2" square. Good enough for me with open sights.

Avg MV at 12' was 1710 fps

I hope the Bulls cooperate in Sept.

Ya'll have a good one,

Reloader

[reloader]

Well dang, We didn't draw our tags. It's usually easy to get a statewide mler bull tag with 2 pps. Maybe next year. Been shooting for weeks before it gets too hot to get at least two of my Mler rigs ready:( . At least they'll be ready when we draw.

Oh well, at least I have a little time to book a deer hunt somewhere.

I can get a land owner Mulie tag in a dang good area, but think I'm going to try for a whitetail hunt. Maybe I'll get lucky and draw my Iowa tag.

Good Luck,

loder

[grouse]

That's a shame about the tag. I guess that opens up other opportunities.