Blackhorn 209 - 200 yard range results

[nimrodrx]

In response to windy and other's questions regarding my results. I wasn't ignoring you. Just didn't have anything spectacular to share until now.

Performance with all flavors of Barnes has been mediocre. Hovering around 1.5-2 inches at 100.

Also no success with .357 200gr Hornadys.

Finally got my hands on some Hornady 200gr SSTs. All groups at 100 were pretty boring. Your typical sub moa stuff

It was the first group I fired at 200 yards that has me optomistic.








This was the 27-29 shots down the bore. NO swab, nothing. Load and shoot.

I'm concerned about the SST holding together at these velocities, but I love the trajectory. 2 inches hight at 100, 2.5 inches low at 200 yards. Maybe I just avoid structure at close range and put it through the ribs only...

This stuff is as close to smokeless as it gets. Not only that, but I can shoot it in all my Knights (with what looks to be stellar accuracy) and remain legal during Michigan's ML season.

I should note, the Elite does have the non full plastic conversion breach plug.

T7 has gone the way of the Dodo Bird in my book

[esmd]

Do you think the Full Plastic Jacket ignition system would work with the BH 209 as well?

[nimrodrx]

I have limited experience. I fired two shots out of my 50 cal Elite with the original plug (which will be collecting a lot of dust now) using the CCI 209M and a 100gr BH209 charge and both went off without a hitch. This was on a 65 deg. day.

If memory serves, I read somewhere that somebody had a couple hang fires with the FPJ and the domed plug. I can't confirm.

I just love not having to use the FPJ, and ignition seems flawless.

[esmd]

Another question, have you ever tried shooting sabotless with the .45? I think I know where I can get a .45 Disc for pretty cheap, and I'm thinking of picking it up, and then selling my T/C Thunderhawk. I'm questioning my sanity for even thinking about swapping guns just so I can shoot BH 209, but what can you do?

[nimrodrx]

IMVHO, you'd be insane not to swap.

The Disc Elite somehow managed to fly under the radar. It seems to be Knights best kept secret.

I have four of them (3 .45s and a .50). I guess you could say I'm a little biased...

BH209 is the real deal. It is the only BP sub I will shoot in my rifles.

I have not tried sabotless. Thought about it, but haven't gotten there yet. I likely won't either. A .45 bullet offers me nothing that I can't do with a .40 bullet (and then some). Outside of rapid shooting, there's just no reason for it.

Check with Fur Fin and Feather out of Ohio. A while back they were clearing out their .45 Elites for $199.

[esmd]

FFF doesn't have any more Knights that I could see, but thanks anyway for the link.

[nimrodrx]

It might be worth a phone call.

They were never listed on their web site.

[DannoBoone]

"I'm concerned about the SST holding together at these velocities, but I love the trajectory. 2 inches hight at 100, 2.5 inches low at 200 yards. Maybe I just avoid structure at close range and put it through the ribs only..."

Those speeds are still 300fps shy of the MV I was able to shoot
accurately out of the 10MLII with the .45/50 SW. First deer killed
was @ 90yds through both scapula, as well as ribs entrance and
exit through the rib cage. Yes, it resulted in total bullet failure (so
to speek); the jacket completely shelled out after going through the
far scapula, and only a very small piece of lead made it clear through.
The 8-pointer totally failed, too, going down as though shot in the
head.

I believe the .40 holds up better than the .45 SST/SW, but at that
range, at that speed, if it were possible, I would also have opted
for a lung shot.

That being said, I would love to also try this new Blackhorn stuff
in a .45 barrel (10MLII) on its way here. Just how bad does it
smoke? (My reasons for going smokeless were based on
obscuration of the target and ease of cleaning----looks like the
Blackhorn has the cleaning problem solved.)

[nimrodrx]

Danno, yes they do have the cleaning issue licked. Think of it as "smokeless" powder that "smokes."

And smoke it does. I would consider it only slightly less smoke than T7 produces. However it is void of any odor or irritating fumes as far as I can tell.