Smoke Pole questions.

[Luked]

I have had a muzzleloader for years but have never really had a ton of luck with getting it to shoot accurately.

I know there are a lot to them just like any other rifle/bow etc. But I just cant figure this thing out.
Now I will say I haven't shot it at all this year.
But last year it was a crap shoot. I couldn't get it to shoot anything even remotely close to the same shot for shot.

A couple of questions now.
The 209 Primers I have are quite old. They are 777 primers I have had for a while.
The Powder I have is also 777 and its a year maybe 2 old.
Bullet wise I cant remember what they are but they are not a Name brand of any kind.

Should I just try and pick up some new primers, powder and try a well known bullet?

Bullet wise what would be something to even try?

Just looking for some ideas to try and get this thing to shoot decent.
Our season is coming up on the 28th of this month so I have a bit of time.

 

[ElDiablito]

Twelve days isn’t much time.

You don’t mention what the rifle is or if it’s scoped or open-sighted. And are there any restrictions on tech or components wherever you’re planning to hunt? What are you hunting? Anticipated ranges? Very important details.

Your powder could be bad. 777 is famous for loosing its mojo. I’d get new powder and bullets. Get a fresh bottle of 2F 777 and some decent well- known bullets/sabots. I’d say order some online (and I’d give you some recommendations) but I don’t think you really have time for that.

Start load development with about 90 gr by volume of 777. Shoot a three-shot group and move up in 5 gr increments until you’re happy with the group size.

 

[Luked]

The rifle is a CVA Optima Cant remember much more than that on it as its not used much at all.
Here at home I don't have any restrictions so the rifle is scoped
I am thinking also that the powder and primers aren't any good.
The primers I have had for years.
The Powder is at least a year old maybe 2.

I am still not sure if I will even give this thing a try this year jsut because of the time frame.
I would like to. I just dont know if I can get it there in that kind of time with everything going on with holidays etc.
But would love to hear some more ideas.

My Nephew who is pretty big into the black powder stuff uses White Hots Powder and also Thor bullets. Which I didnt even know anything about till this morning.

 

[dieselchessy]

My kids Optima shoots the hornady SST well.
You’ll need a bullet with a snug fitting sabot or similar.
Id think you'd notice if the primers or powder was bad, but maybe not. New wouldnt hurt.

 

[cnelk]

In addition to the above, I would be very attentive to the pressure you are seating the bullet.
It HAS to be the same every time