Measuring Blackhorn 209 by volume vs weight

[Hnthrdr]

Just going to tell you to forget the 250 power belt, I wouldn’t shoot lighter that 300 grains and i wouldn’t shoot a powerbelt, Thors, borelocks, heck boredrivers would all be on the list before powerbelts for elk that is

 

[Ridgerunner338]

My recommendation is load a volume measure and pour on a powder scale a few times. Then shoot those same loads at a target. You will load by weight every time after that I promise.

I did the same experiment with my CVA optima and a 420 grain No Excuses bullet. Loading by volume can vary alot by weight from charge to charge. I started loading by weight because I have all my charges ready before I head out anyway. I use 80 grains of Blackhorn by volume which if I remember correctly is 58 grains by weight.

 

[nettereo16]

100% use by weight, not volume. I found 70gr by weight of 209 was the most accurate with 300gr SST-ML. This was about 100gr by volume. You can see first hand the variance of by volume if you test pouring into the tube vs. pour then give it a firm shake - this will change the volume noticibly

 

[ElDiablito]

You can see first hand the variance of by volume if you test pouring into the tube vs. pour then give it a firm shake - this will change the volume noticibly

Which highlights the importance of volume measuring exactly the same way every time.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

I buy plastic medical vials off eBay and weigh each charge. I then have a bunch of pre weighed available.I use 77gr by weight, iirc that equals 100 gr by volume. Blackhorn has table listed on their website with conversion.

I do the same. Always by weight.

 

[bayoublaster7527]

Just going to tell you to forget the 250 power belt, I wouldn’t shoot lighter that 300 grains and i wouldn’t shoot a powerbelt, Thors, borelocks, heck boredrivers would all be on the list before powerbelts for elk that is

Absolutely. Way better options than powerbelts these days from Thor, arrowhead, hornady, Barnes, etc.

 

[Andrewlonghi]

With Blackhorn 209 120gr by volume is 84gr by weight….that is max, didn’t know shit about a muzzleloader when I started or the process of measuring volume vs weight. It ended badly for the muzzleloader and I got very lucky

 

[ENCORE]

With Blackhorn 209 120gr by volume is 84gr by weight….that is max, didn’t know shit about a muzzleloader when I started or the process of measuring volume vs weight. It ended badly for the muzzleloader and I got very lucky

Please check out post #16

 

[ElDiablito]

With Blackhorn 209 120gr by volume is 84gr by weight….that is max, didn’t know shit about a muzzleloader when I started or the process of measuring volume vs weight. It ended badly for the muzzleloader and I got very lucky

With current lots of BH209, ~ 96 grV is max.

 

[Andrewlonghi]

 

[ElDiablito]

View attachment 848037

That’s old info. Here’s the current load data. Note that Hodgdon recommends measuring by volume not weight.

https://hodgdonpowderco.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/2023-MDATA.pdf

 

[ENCORE]

Direct from Hodgdon................ https://hodgdonpowderco.com/blackhorn-209/

 

[ElDiablito]

Direct from Hodgdon................ https://hodgdonpowderco.com/blackhorn-209/


View attachment 848104

Which as we have said is not the correct multiplier these days…..

 

[ENCORE]

Which as we have said is not the correct multiplier these days…..

Nor is the volume ratio from lot# to lot# correct to weight..........
Shooters have been weighing BH for nearly 20 years using .7 as the multiplier, which Hodgdon is using as a carryover from Western. The short answer is, yes, you can weigh BH209 per Hodgdon.

 

[Grillnugz]

I only weigh BH209. .7 is my conversion factor

 

[DKlaty]

Weighing out the charge has worked best for me in my .50 CVA Paramount Pro. 119 gr by weight is CVA's recommended max and also what performed best for me. Kicks like a mule but very consistent and ballistic measured at 2400 FPS with 340 grain Hornady Bore Driver ELD-X