Knight Wolverine .50

[S.B.]

A buddy of mine bought a Wolverine .50 cal used this year and we're trying to wring this thing out. Salesman sold him 777 pellets and the first thing we learned was this doesn't work. Tried some of my granular Pyrodex and the thing started going off as planned. His rifle is the percussion cap model not the 209 one. Could someone here with experience give us some direction on what else doesn't work with this setup? Would also appreciate knowing what loads and bullets work in these rifles for best accuracy? thanks, Steve

[Mark whiz]

The key to accuracy with that rifle is heavy bullets and moderate powder loads.  I shoot a Knight USAK, which is the same barrel and action as your Wolverine and here are my basic loads:

300gr sabots - 80gr 2fg loose 777 powder, 95gr Pyro RS loose
350gr sabots - 90gr 3fg loose 777 powder, 105gr Pyro RS loose
400gr sabots - 100gr 3fg loose 777 powder, 115gr Pyro RS loose
These loads all produce approx performance of 1600fps and VERY tight groups - MOA accuracy in my rifle.

As far as bullet choice, the Hornady XTPs & SSTs shoot really well in the 300gr models.  The 348gr Powerbelts also shoot pretty good under the above formula for 350gr sabots - except use 2fg 777 with Powerbelts.....they don't like the 3fg.

I wouldn't bother using any of the pellets with the #11 caps - pellets were designed for 209s - especially the 777 pellets.  Also, use the CCI #11magnum caps, as they have more compund in them and are more reliable than the standard #11s.

[Wolfhound]

A buddy of mine bought a Wolverine .50 cal used this year and we're trying to wring this thing out. Salesman sold him 777 pellets and the first thing we learned was this doesn't work. Tried some of my granular Pyrodex and the thing started going off as planned. His rifle is the percussion cap model not the 209 one. Could someone here with experience give us some direction on what else doesn't work with this setup? Would also appreciate knowing what loads and bullets work in these rifles for best accuracy? thanks, Steve

First off the ignition system isn't really an issue with loose powder. If he wants to use pellets he'll have to upgrade to a 209 system. My wife owns a Wolverine (209 ignition) and the bullets that shoot well are the 260 gr Winchester Platinum Tip, 260 gr Knight jacketed bullets (aka Nosler SHOT's), Barnes 250 Expander MZ, and the 295 gr powerbelt. Generally from 80-110 gr. of powder will provide the best accuracy, but we've never gone over 100 gr due to recoil issues.

[Redhawk1]

I don't think the pellets were designed to ignite with just the 209 primer. I have a buddy that uses a CVA with #11 caps all the time with triple7 pellets. I use the 25ACP with a small rifle primer with my triple7 pellets. Not one problem.  

[jeff223]

me and my sons started off using the Wolverine when we changed over to inlines from ball guns.we still have them and shoot them.we have a total of 3 Wolverines and i upgraded to another model.the Wolverines have the same quality Green Mountain barrel as the rest of their line and the shoot ability is the same as the rest of their line up.all of our rifles have been shot with loose black powder,pyrodex loose and pyro pellets.all of our  Knights Rifles except one are now shooting 777 loose.all these rifles shoot very good,it  doesnt matter what you decide to shoot as far as powder,but you must work up a load for that gun.i would start out at around 85 or 90 grains of power of your choice and work up making a 5 grain jump in charge each time.you will find the majic spot for that gun.all of our Wolverines started out with the percusion cap ignitions and those workjust fine.we now have them all converted over to their full plastic jacket 209 ignition.i do like the 209 setup.NO CRUD RINGS with any our Knight Rifles and 777 loose.there is some fouling there but none of this CRUD RING buisness you will hear about here.all the Knight Rifles i have worked with dont seem to shoot very good with the lighter bullets.240 and 250 grain bullets work the best and maybe up to 300 grain.the 250gr SSTs and the 250gr Barnes MZ Expanders shoot MOA out of all the guns we have.

good luck

[Wolfhound]

I don't think the pellets were designed to ignite with just the 209 primer. I have a buddy that uses a CVA with #11 caps all the time with triple7 pellets. I use the 25ACP with a small rifle primer with my triple7 pellets. Not one problem.  

Knights are just a bit different. The breechplug design doesn't put as much fire into the powder. The two Knight rifles here I get a minor crud ring in and an Omega that cruds something awful with the same charge(well it did before the 25 ACP anyway). I also know a guy who tried some of the cooler 209 primers in his Knight Elite and couldn't get 777 pellets to ignite. Knight recomends Winchester primers for a reason. :wink:

[Critter]

I just bought a Knight lk - 93.  It shoots real well with a 100 gr charge of FFFg Elephant black powder and a 300 gr Speer SP in a knight sabot.  I tried a couple of other bullets the other day and it just didn't like the lighter 180's and 210's.

[smoky]

I have a Knight LK 93 with the precussion cap system.  I shot pyrodex pellets in it for 5 years and it never failed to fire.  Didn't shoot all that impressive, but never misfired.

THEN, I found Dead Center Bullets.  In my gun with the #11 caps (no need for a conversion costing $50) 80 grains of 777 fffg will shoot a 220 grain Dead Center into a ragged hole at 100 yards.  No exageration here.  It will print .3 groups all day long, spit swabbing between shots.  I'm truly amazed that a $150 muzzle loader will shoot with my two custom made centerfire rifles.

Good Luck,

Smoky

[smoky]

I have a Knight LK 93 with the precussion cap system.  I shot pyrodex pellets in it for 5 years and it never failed to fire.  Didn't shoot all that impressive, but never misfired.

THEN, I found Dead Center Bullets.  In my gun with the #11 caps (no need for a conversion costing $50) 80 grains of 777 fffg will shoot a 220 grain Dead Center into a ragged hole at 100 yards.  No exageration here.  It will print .3 groups all day long, spit swabbing between shots.  I'm truly amazed that a $150 muzzle loader will shoot with my two custom made centerfire rifles.

Good Luck,

Smoky