New to muzzleloading, need encore 209x50 advice

[teddy12b]

Hey Everyone,
        Back in the good old days I bought an Encore 209 x 50 26" barrel with all the goodies off of Ebay.  The only problem is that I'm a complete rookie when it comes to muzzleoading and I would sure love to hear some advice. 

        I'd like to keep it simple and use pellets.  I've taken it to the range and found the recoil to be surprisingly mind using up to 100 grains of pellets.  I haven't tried any more than that.  Should I go up to 150gr's of pellets?  I've also got a couple different kinds of sabots, or should I use the powerbelts?  Is there much differenct between the sabots and powerbelts when it comes to accuracy and performance? 

        I appreciate the help guys, I'm hoping to use this for muzzleoader season this year!

[billy]

My encore likes 100 grains better than bigger loads ,i use 300 grain with loose powder  that way you really work up what your gun likes.

[Redhawk1]

I would stick with 100 gr. or 2 pellets. Unless you plan on shooting long range. You can get some good accuracy with the 100 gr. Just find a good bullet/sabot combo.

[SHOOTALL]

2 pellets triple 7 , hornady 250gr. XTP 45 cal. sabot with tail for pellets ( i cut off excess sabot ), Winchester primer .

[tn_junk]

I've fund that my Encore likes loose powder better than the bricks. I shoot 120 grains of Pyrodex RS and get real good results. I don't like the fact that I can only adjust in 50 grain amounts with the pellets.

alan

[Two Bears]

Well here is in my opinion about the BEST load for the Encore 209x50......


I use the Hornady 300 grain XTP bullet with Harvester sabots (with the ribs) and just 85 grans of BM3 to get the bullets touching at 50 yards.
I also use 80 grains of FFFG Goex black powder and get the same bullet and sabot to do 3 shots in the same hole at 50 yards, but it is very dirty and can only get 2 shots before swabbing the barrel.
777 powder is just as good and is cleaner burning and I will use this in place of BM3 now since I can not find it anywhere around here.

Now 2 pyrodex pellets will get that same bullet and sabot to a 1" to 1.5" group. Which is a very good load and very good for accuracy.

The Encore really seems to like the Hornady XTP bullet and the Harvester sabot. And as far as accuracy goes it is not too picky about powders except for which one is dirty (has more fouling).

Enjoy

These Encore muzzleloaders are very adaptable to different loads and you will see for yourself that it will be a pleasure to shoot.

Also you state that you want to keep it simple by using pellets, Well you can have a simple way to load loose powder if you use a pre load canister or "film canisters" to pre measure the powder charge once you settle on what charge you like and then just pop the cap off and load your muzzleloader. it is JUST as fast as using pellets and you get a more consistant load charge as the pellets vary in weight quite a bit.