To breachplug III or not to breachplug III

[jimmyp50]

Hello all, I am now a (proud?) Encore 209 x 50 owner with a series II breachplug. I called the factory today and described what I had, a gun with a breachplug that had a shallow depression in the center and they confirmed that I had the type II breachplug.  I told the nice woman that I could only get one shot of 777 out of the gun before the 295 grain powerbelt would not seat all the way and she said it was the fault of the 777.  I told her that I had heard somewhere that the type III plug worked better with 777 and you would not get the crud ring, she told me that was not the case but did offer to sell me a new breachplug for $15.00 + 4.20 shipping and handling.   Is this plug worth buying if I am shooting loose powder?  Was I mistaken or did someone say that the type III plug did not generate the crud ring with 777 or not as bad.  I shoot loose powder instead of pellets, but would like the option to shoot both.  I am thinking of just trying a different propellent instead and wonder if this might be the solution as Thompson was helpfull only in that they would take some
more of my money.  Finally with 295 grain powerbelts and the sights the gun is equipped with (Georgia does not allow scopes), what type of 3 shot group should I be able to get at 100 yds using 80 grains of 777?  It shot pretty sorry the first time, but that may be my eyes or the fact that the bullets were not seating properly.   Happy Trails, JimmyP

[non typical]

Called TC a few weeks ago and told CS that with my encore I could only get 1 shot with it and that I didnt need a gun like that :x (even though it shoots .5-1.00"@100) :eek:  :grin: .the guy told me he would send me a new style plug free of charge and that it should help the problem.In 3 days I had the plug.The business end has a deep hole in it instead of the shallow one you talk of.call up, hopefully youll get someone else and give them hell. :twisted:  Sometimes thats what it takes.
PETE

[tuck789]

I have bought several plugs because I have been playing with modifications. If you have a local gun shop and they move their inventory they should have the plug. I pay 12.99 for mine. I have only had the first and the third generation plugs. The third generation plug does do better than the first when seating bullets for me.

[Bullseye]

Mine has a generation I plug.  My crud ring comes and goes with 777.  I use 80 gr. of loose and Hornady 44 cal. 240 gr bullet and get 5 shot groups with the holes pretty much touching and 50 yards, do not shoot at 100 much.  I do not use a scope either, so your gun has potential.  I really do not get a crud ring using Pyrodex P, so I think I might go back to that even though it is harder to clean up after shooting.  I have a little bit of 777 left to experiment with to try and eliminate the crud ring first.

[jh45gun]

I use moose milk type cleaner either by useing water and Ballistol or something like TC No 13 bore cleaner. I use a mop wet with this stuff between shots and then dry with a dry patch or dry mop. You can seat bullets then with out no problem. If you want to shoot a fouled barrel all the time then run a dry  brush down the barrel to take out the ring yet it will still be fouled enough to shoot fouled. You may want to use a lube under your bullets smear a dab in the cup as I have heard that may help also as I shoot conicals and can seat them no problems shot after shot useing 777 using a lube made out of beeswax and some left over bore butter I had. I am going to try 91's lube after I find all the stuff. Jim

[RandyWakeman]

Hello all, I am now a (proud?) Encore 209 x 50 owner with a series II breachplug. I called the factory today and described what I had, a gun with a breachplug that had a shallow depression in the center and they confirmed that I had the type II breachplug.  

If you ask for the service manager, tell him you have a breech plug with a severe fouling problem, and want to swap it for the latest breechplug-- there should be no problem.

The accuracy question is an impossible one. I find the factory sights too thick for good paper groups past 75 yards. If you like Powerbelts, you might want to try a few of the 260 Knight PBs, the 348s, and 405s to see what your gun likes best.

[209x50]

The very 1st time I shot my Encore, I decided to spit-patch between shots.  Instead of little strokes on the way down. I shoved it all the way to the bottom.....And couldn't get it out!!!!  It took  me about 15 min, and several layers of skin off my hand to get it out....the moral of the story...use short strokes when cleaning between shots.  I just ordered a 22hornet plug conversion from PR...think that will help

[Underclocked]

209x50, I think most of us are long used to using short strokes.

[jh45gun]

209x50, I think most of us are long used to using short strokes.

:eek:  :eek:  :roll:  :roll:        

[jimmyp50]

Thanks everyone.  I think I will call TC on Monday and restate my case a little more firmly.  What about Clearshot in the Encore?  BassPro where I live has a bunch of it now, it's $24.95 a can.  Anyone see less fouling with Clearshot? I would really like to see if this thing will shoot with the bullets seated in the same place twice without having to clean the gun between shots! I also bought some 348 grain powerbelts which I will compare per suggestion to the 295 grain powerbelts.  Jimmyp

[jh45gun]

Like all muzzle loaders you just have to expirement until you get a load combination that works for you and all guns are different in what they like. Shooting to find the right load while sometimes frustrating can be a learning expirience also. Keep on and you will find a load you like.  Some times the first couple work well other times it takes longer. Just enjoy shooting your gun and you will find that load. I try to stick with one bullet and shoot all powder combinations with in reason that I can then try a other bullet and start over. I cast my own as once I find a load combo with that bullet I know my source will not dry up as I make them and am not stuck with buying from some one else that may go out of business or discontinue that bullet for  a  other one. Plus with casting my own I can afford to shoot more and the more I shoot the better I learn about my guns what they like and dislike. Once I find what they like it is all cake after that. Jim

[RandyWakeman]

I also bought some 348 grain powerbelts which I will compare per suggestion to the 295 grain powerbelts.  Jimmyp

I've had far better luck with the 348s (and the 405s) than the 295s in Knights and Austin & Hallecks particularly, and in the Savage with Pyrodex.

The problem with Clearshot is the poor velocities.