Thanks and a question

[jmv]

I have been a reader for a couple of years.  I am a recreational shooter and use my .50 Huntsman to extend my deer hunting into  December for the Muzzleloader only season. I started with the Shockeys pellets( supposed to be cleaner and are ok) to make things simple  with no measuring and couple different Hornady sabots.  Again just a recreational shooter.  I read and learned a lot from you folks. I was having problems with flyers and consistent accuracy. I was hesitant to go to loose powder and back to lots of experimentation and dirty barrels to boot.  I slowly gravitated to opening my eyes.  I picked up the (banded site )breach plug, I got a HR Williams peep site,( no scopes allowed during muzzleloader only season ),  I picked up the new BH 209 loose powder, asked more questions and then finally some Barnes Spitfire T-EZ load flat base in 250 grain.  All suggestions from various readers. Finally got to the range yesterday for the first time all summer. Fall is here and daylight is gone by 7 pm in the northern climates so only set up for an hour at 50 yards after work.  Remember: new breach plug, new rear site, new sabots, new powder.  4 shots adjusting the sight; 5th shot  on the bullseye; 6th shot overlapping the 5th by 1/4 inch. I was flabbergasted. No flyers and accurate.  I cant wait to get back out and see what it does at 75 and 100 yards.  Thank all of you for your help and encouragement.  Now my question:  I have never had punctured primers before.  4 of the 6 Fed 209 A had holes in them from the firing pin.  I was using the recommended #60 rubber primer ring and the spacing looked fine. Will this affect anything?  What can happen? Again, thanks much.  I am so much more confident with late season deer hunting now.

[PHATINJUN]

Are you using a SB1 or a SB2 frame. The small firing pin from centerfire frames have been known to puncture 209 primers. Kurt

[jmv]

With out having to run through previous posts for the 1 or 2 difference, here is an explanation: I bought it as the NEF .223  about 5-6 ish years ago. I picked up the Huntsman barrel from the the factory shortly there after before they stopped making them.   I have not had any issues with primers when the .223 barrel is swapped back on the receiver or using the factory Huntsman breach plug; just with the banded breach plug.  I think the new plug is great.  What issues will a pierced primer cause if any?

[bikerbeans]

Assuming your 223 had the factory frame it would be an SB2 with the smaller firing pin.  THe SB1, shotgun frame, has a larger diameter firing pin and is less likely to puncture your primer.  I have never had to deal with punctured primers, but it is a leak of the pressure from combustion that can affect accuracy and messup the inside of your receiver.  If you gun continues to shot good groups then that will answer any question regarding accuracy affects from the blown primer.  Might try a different brand of 209 primer.  FWIW, i shoot Winchester 209 primers on an sb2 frame with the smaller firing pin and do not have a puncture problem.  Worst case, you might pickup a used shotgun for the SB1 frame and sell the stock set and barrel to get most of your money back.

Good luck with your huntsman and glad you got a setup that is working well for you.

BB

[jmv]

No problems with prior same 209A.  So must be banned plug tolerances and/or rubber ring must be taking up some slight slack with receiver and making for a more solid fit.  Good and bad.  I have no complaints with plug. Great solution to earlier ills. 
Will be checking 75 and 100 yard distance today.  Will see what happens.  Swapping frame, et, etc may solve it but more work for this recreational shooter than I want to get involved with for perfection at this time. Thanks for the idea however.  Hopefully BH209 will keep action cleaner than other wise would be with other powders.

[jmv]

Update:  I was able to get out and try a longer distance. My longest shooting lane is 90 yards so I focused there. Was set up for 2 inches high at 50 yds earlier. Today 6 shots later and I am now set up for 90 yards 2 inches high again.  No issues with accuracy with 50 % of the 209A primers pierced either , at least so far.  Bench rest on blankets, peep sight and 3 shots in a 3 inch circle is plenty satisfactory with me.  I am impressed with the improvement of accurancy and no flyers compared to the Shockey gold pellets with original plug last year and the BH209 loose powder with banned plug now.  I will be very confident this Fall with my Huntsman.  Let it snow   

[bikerbeans]

Good deal!  Snow is great, nothing better than a brown deer or a white background.

BB