NobleSport Primers and Blackhorn

[ElDiablito]

@ElDiablito
Thanks for your input as usual, I think I’m getting to point in life where I just want my guns to work, and my muzzleloader is my last problem child that needs dealt with.

In the meantime, I have a couple boxes of 250 gr barnes in sabots that are super tight. Might be enough to make it more consistent?

I like the omega idea as well, I’ll take a look around, always liked that design. When looking, what is an acceptable amount of barrel corrrosion? Only worry for me going used

To be clear, your saying that TC’s do not need any replacement plug to function correctly with blackhorn correct?

I hear you, muzzys can be frustrating at times.

The tighter sabot loads will certainly increase your odds of success.

Some bore corrosion in used rifles is common. Even in extreme cases, many still shoot fine - there're just much tougher to clean. Ive bought rifles on Gunbroker that literally had sewer pipe barrels that would shoot fine - although a don’t shoot them that way - I use them as donors for builds. I’ve seen some “ new in box” and “ excellent bore” Omegas go on GB as well. If the seller doesn’t mention the bore condition, you can assume there’s at least some corrosion. If you look around you may find one at a gun shop that you can inspect. I bought a used X7 Omega (carbine) last year at a shop for $350 that was essentially unfired.

Correct - TCs - Omegas and Encores in particular - use the same plug that’s ideal for Bh209. No issues.

 

[Halligan]

If performance potential is essentially equal, I think the omega path might be the ticket, leaves me $800 for scope compared to the other options lol

 

[Gila]

I would stay away from Knight unless you want an engineering project. Bullet and propellant selection is best with the .50 cal. You mentioned switching to CCI magnum 209 primers and still having ignition problems? I would switch back to T7 and try the CCI mag primers? If you still have ignition issues, try cleaning out the flash channel on the breech plug? Also the spring pushing the firing pin or “button” is really puny on the Optima. I wouldn’t shoot any more powder just fire some primers, say 5 in a row…Clean the primer pocket and flash channel then fire 5 more. If any primers don’t fire, then look at the firing pin assembly. Depending on how much you have shot your optima with the same BP, I have heard the flash hole will eventually open up and become toast.

I bought a new Optima version 3 (with overnight shipping) out of desperation to fill a MZ tag. Actually turned out to be a good buy. But my state only allows iron sights so I won’t be taking any shots much beyond 150 yards with it. Ran across some information yesterday where some hunters were using the old Optima breech plugs and shooting Blackhorn just fine with regular shot shell, Winchester 209 primers. In the center fire world Win primers are known to be a little bit “hotter” and very consistent. Winchester primers are my preference for getting single digit SD and high velocity in a center fire. I buy primers by the brick, didn’t have any problems finding Fed 209A.