Blackhorn 209

Over the past few years, we have learned a great desl about high perforamnce muzzleloaders indeed. Whilel the rag writers have had a hay-day harping about various new sub powders, some others have worked very hard at finding out just what it took to make a ML shot like a modern cartridge gun.
This in no way takes away from the traditionalist with sidehammers guns, etc.
We now have a bulk smoleless powder (Blackhorn 209) that acts like a smoleless powder. Yes, it is harder in ignite, but not more than any other smokeless powder. Yes. we have learned what design breech plug is needed.
We face the same problem with Blackhorn as with other smokeless powders. If one is getting the load to move forward and not lighting off....it happens in shotgun shells. When it happens, you have pressure, but not enough heat!.
Now, close examination of the sample I posted....itis critical that the passage way is the correct size! If the hole is too small...pressure but not enough heat. If he hole is too large....ignition, but 209 primer setback that might tie up a break open gun.
I tried Blackhorn 209 in my ROA's....I could not get it to fire with bronze Trsco-Ampco nipples.....however it would fire in regular nipples that had been open up some....but there was severe flash by showing too much fire/pressure coming back. This was corrected some by using the plastic cap guards.
Bottom line is simple.....if you go with Blackhorn 209....be sure the flash hole is as shown on the attachment I posted.
It seems to me as being somewhat backward when those use older powder designs (including black) in these modern high performance ML's.
As I said before....decide what you are trying to accomplish and then make some small modifications.
I still hunt/shoot my sidehammer guns, but load them with powders designed for that type of firearm.
In this case one must decide whether they are Fish or Fowl.
Regards, James

Interesting indeed! I see that other posters are discussing what I said....keep the breechplug clean!
Now.....I think that Blackhorn 209 is the most advanced powder available for the ML 209 guns and also loading some of the oldtimers like .38-40, .44-40, .45-70 and so on!
It has been found to not work in percussion guns that use a cap....like side hammer rifles and cap& ball handguns. What you can do in make a little dipper from an fired .22 rimfire hull and drop that amount of good black (Swiss is best) in first.....followed by you Balckhorn 209.
I know there are some shooters that will stay with black....but I would bet if Hawkens had had Blackhorn 209...he woukd be pushing it indeed!
The yest we do on ML's are not aimed at the cowboy shooters, or those that just like to play with historical guns.....but rather aimed at meat hunters.
Regards, James