[jtarms45]

I'm interested in hearing any "methods" or tricks for working up a load for my inline. (I have a Traditions Yukon .50) I've been using 80 gr of 777, a 295 gr Powerbelt Aeorotip and Win 777 primers for 2 years now. I just started playing around with Blackhorn 209, APP, and Pyrodex RS, different primers and bullets, both sabots and full bore sabotless. The Yukon will hold "minute of deer" easily out to 100 with what I have been using, I just want to see what it is capable of. So many options with components, I need a method to my madness. I guess it just boils down to getting a particular bullet with "x" amount of powder and brand "x" type of primer... How do I know when I need to up or drop my powder charge? When the bullet is too heavy or too light, when the primer is too hot, or not enough flame...

 

[cayugad]

The way I do it is start with a moderate load. I use a 250 grain bullet like an XTP or Speer Deep curl. Also shockwaves work well. Starting with 80 grains of powder shoot a group. Then kick the charge up 10 grains and shoot another group. Sooner or later that group will open up. There gets to be a point where no matter how much powder you add, you get diminished returns.

I shoot a Genesis, which is a Remington Yukon. Its best load was with two pyrodex RS pellets and a 250 grain Barnes MZ Expander. It also shoots Shockwaves real well.

 

[jtarms45]

cayugad,
Have you had any problems with the falling block, (or firing pin housing) on your Genesis? I've got about 50 shots through mine and the face (breech plug side) is getting hammered! I'm going to have to find a replacement soon or make one out of some stainless at the machine shop. I assume the primer is whacking it under recoil, it is prettly sloppy in the aluminum block, I can't complain much, the whole gun with scope was only $75.00 from a Traditions "Special Offer". Shoots great, I just want it to last longer than it looks like it will.

 

[cayugad]

Are you cleaning the cam action and the locking pins? Also take the firing pin out and clean that. I am not 100% sure the Genesis and Yukon are identical, but your parts fit my rifle. I have had no wear problems and have over two rounds through it already.

 

[cayugad]

This is the load I shoot most the time out of the rifle.

 

[jtarms45]

Ah, my Yukon is different. (I just pulled up a Remington Genesis Owners Manual.) The breech block is different. The Yukon breech block that I have drops straight down. Mine has a ton of play in it, when it is in the closed and ready to go position. **** it will give me a good project to work on when hunting season ends! The rifle is light enough, and the barrel is heavy enough, a steel breech block and receiver, (frame or whatever) would actually balance it out... **** I might just get a Vortek or an Accura. What do you think?

 

[HardBall]

As Cayugad mentioned; if you start with a lower charge and work up about 10gr at a time you should see groups start to tighten until you reach the maximum recommend charge for your rifle/bullet combo or until you see groups start to open back up- that's how you'll know when to stop. As for the primers, if it goes "boom" your good. If it goes "pop" then "boom" your primer isn't hot enough. With an inline shooting 209 style primers, which I believe yours is, you shouldn't have to worry about a primer being hot enough- it should go off just fine.


As for a "method to your madness"

I shoot sidelock, patched, round-ball rifles with real black powder. These have their own little procedures but an inline is very much like a metallic cartridge rifle in that you have a variety of projectiles to choose from and can use, not only real black powder, but any substitute powder you want.

I would recommend picking a powder and bullet combination first and, using a starting load of powder shoot a group and then work up 10gr at a time until you get the best group - then try a different primer and see which one shoots better. At this point you can start over with the same powder but a different bullet or use the same bullet but start over with a different powder. I wouldn't worry as much about trying different primers until you had found the most accurate powder/bullet combo first.