A couple questions for those with experience

[danski26]

Well, i am entering the world of muzzle loaders. I have a Encore 50x209 barrel that i will be starting to play with. My first question is what diameter boolits can I shoot with sabots in this barrel? .430 or does it have to be .452? Or are there different sabots?

I like my LBT molds and would love to be able to use some in this barrel. Would a 305 gr LBT LFN stabilize in this barrel? Or should I stick with more traditional boolits?

Also....Is there any problems using 777 with this barrel. I have "heard" that this powder might give me problems but i want other opinions with more experience.

[Rick Hodges]

There are different sabots, most are for .451/.452 but there are .430 available.

[Maven]

danski26, Take a look at this site's sabot offerings: http://mmpsabots.com/ Also, my 1:28" .50cal. Knight Bighorn doesn't shoot heavy saboted bullets (350gr. - 405gr.) as well as lighter ones (240gr. - 250gr.). More specifically, the RCBS 250gr. Keith CB and Lyman's slightly heavier #429421 are impressively accurate with the MMP green sabots, but only with FFg black powder. As for loose 777, it is hotter than BP or Pyrodex, so start at 60gr. and work up to maybe 80 with the bullet and sabot of your choosing.

[danski26]

Thanks for the info. I have heard MMP sabots are the way to go.

[danski26]

The hph/12 look like they will be the ticket for my 305 LFN!

[excess650]

Typically, for 50cal, green sabots take .429-.430" and the black ones take the .451-.452".

777 is a BP substitute that is supposed to give pretty impressive velocity. Its reputed to leave a crud ring in the bore just ahead of where the sabot should seat, so may require cleaning between shots. There are mild 209 primers made for using the BP substitutes, and IIRC, they are recommended for 777. In that it is one of those sugar based subs, it doesn't react well to moisture and humidity, and has a relatively short shelf life.

Blackhorn 209 is a "smokeless for black" that is loaded volumetrically. It cleans with nitro solvent, doesn't build up like real BP and subsitutes, but does require normal 209 or magnum 209 primers for ignition. I've used BH209 exclusively in my Omega after experiencing it a couple of other shooters' Omegas.

Other than BH209, I'll not shoot anything but real BP in my MLers.

[danski26]

Blackhorn 209 is on my list of powders to try.