Help w/ 209 X 45 Encore

[mkee]

I've been trying to see what loads my 209x45 likes, but am not having a great deal of luck.  It's scoped w/ a Cabela's pine ridge rifle scope.  I've shot 180 and 200 gr XTPs, and even tried some 45 cal round ball and patch.  200s did best w/ about 3 1/2" 5 shot groups at 100 yds, but I know it's capable of better.  Tried 80 grs of pyrodex powder to begin w/ and worked up to 100 for each bullet.  I've also tried the pellets.  Since I wasn't having any luck with the Encore, I picked up my hawkens 50 cal.  3 shots, 100 yds, less than 2" w/ round balls.  I'm about out of the pyrodex, so maybe I'll try some 777 next time.  Looks like the hawkens will be my muzzle loader this year though.  Any suggestions out there?

[Redhawk1]

I have a 209/45 cal Encore that my son uses. I am using 2 triple7 pellets and the 195 gr. Barnes X expanders. I also have the 25 ACP conversion. I am getting 1 to 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. My son took 2 deer with it last year.    Don't give up on the 45 Cal Encore.

[mkee]

Redhawk, is there any gun that you don't have.  You've given me quite a bit of advice lately about guns.  By the way, I'm going to be looking for a BFR in 500 today at a Montgomery Alabama gun show.  I asked about it last week on the handgun general discussion forum.  I would get the smith, but I really like the look of the BRF.  

I'll pick up some barnes bullets and some triple 7 and try it out next weekend.  
Thanks,
Mkee

[Redhawk1]

Redhawk, is there any gun that you don't have.  You've given me quite a bit of advice lately about guns.  By the way, I'm going to be looking for a BFR in 500 today at a Montgomery Alabama gun show.  I asked about it last week on the handgun general discussion forum.  I would get the smith, but I really like the look of the BRF.  

I'll pick up some barnes bullets and some triple 7 and try it out next weekend.  
Thanks,
Mkee

I have about 35 different guns. Handguns and rifles. I have owned more guns than I could count. I like to try different guns and see what they will do, it also gives me hands on experience to make an informed decision. I have a lot of friends that come to me for advice about guns and reloading. I have been around guns and reloading about 35 years now.
When I give someone advice, it comes from experience not from what I read or what someone told me.    :-D

I think you will be happy with the BFR in the 500 Mag, my buddy that has mine loves it. We were shooting it a couple of days ago and he was hitting a bowling ball at 50 yards with it. He destroyed the bolling ball with some 370 gr. cast bullets I loaded for him.  

Also let me know how the Barnes expanders work for you in that 45 Cal Encore.

[oldmanTN]

The .45 cal t/c mzl. aint worth a penny

[Keith L]

The .45 cal t/c mzl. aint worth a penny

While an answer like this might make you feel better, it does nothing for the guy thinking about getting one.  Why isn't it worth a penny?  What is your experience with it?  What led you to this conclusion?

[Redhawk1]

The .45 cal t/c mzl. aint worth a penny

I have to agree with Keith L. That is such a blanket statement. If you personally did not have a good experience, please explain your reasons. I own one and it is a extremely accurate and has taken several animals.  

[John K]

I have a .45 x 209 and have good luck with 200grain TC SST bullets and 135 grains of Pyrodex.  I normally get 1.5" at a 100 yards.  I remember seeing a post about the early .45 TC barrels having a diffrent twist rate then the current ones.  I think it was on the Modern Muzzleloaders Board.  You may try looking there for help as it concentrates on muzzleloading.

John K

[TCAS]

I have two custom 45 cal muzzles so my advice may not apply for a factory barrel.

First you must have 1/28 twist or real close for good accuracy in the 45 cal for the small 180 grain projectilles

Try hot loads, try light loads.  Both of my 45's shoot very well with around 89 grains of 777.  note this is actual weight not volume equivilent.

Weight your powder charges.

Use granular powder NOT pellets

Try the 25 ACP conversion, it gave minor improvements in both of my guns or just use a different 209 primer.

Make sure your hinge pin is not sloopy or moving around
make sure the forarm is not rubbing one side of the barrel or frame

Get a good scope .

Take the trigger down to 2 pounds zero creep

If you have a factory barrel with 1/20 twist send it back.

Try different Sabots for your bullets


Use only high quality bullets and sabots

Hope that helps

TCAS

[poncaguy]

My 50 Encore 209x50 likes 110 grains of AP FFG and Pwerbelt bullets. ( 295's and 348's) Also has the 25 ACP conversion........

[K.K.]

My new Encore muzzleloader that I bought specifically for an upcoming hunt simply would not group with 150 grains of 777.  It was all over the place.  When I backed down to 100 grains, it shot three shots touching each other at 100 yards.  By the way I am using the 250 gr. hornady sabots with the tail for the pellets.  I trimmed the tail to fit the 100 grain charge.  It seems that like may rifles, your Encore may take some time and different loads to find one that works for you.

I would prefer to use 150 grains of powder for the extra punch, but feel better with the load that groups so well.  Be dillegent, and keep trying.  I believe that the Encore is the best muzzleloader in the world.  Good Luck!

[poncaguy]

Got a 145 field dressed buck just seconds before BP season closed here in Oklahoma. Thot it was a doe, but when I got to it, it's antlers had been broken off. 135 yard shot with my Omega Z5, 3 777 pellets and Winchester 209. Neck shot, was climbing down  from my tree stand when I saw him, shot while hanging on to ladder, heard the 348 Powerbelt smack him.

[Redhawk1]

Got a 145 field dressed buck just seconds before BP season closed here in Oklahoma. Thot it was a doe, but when I got to it, it's antlers had been broken off. 135 yard shot with my Omega Z5, 3 777 pellets and Winchester 209. Neck shot, was climbing down  from my tree stand when I saw him, shot while hanging on to ladder, heard the 348 Powerbelt smack him.

Way to go...  

[poncaguy]

Thanks Redhawk. Missed the one I wanted to cull the day before at 120 yards,(shot just under him) him and this one (which I thot was a doe ,antlers broken off) ran almost under my tree stand and stood there. I reloaded with 3 777 Pellets and 348 PB as fast as I could, but they walked out of sight before I could reload. I have until 1-15-06 with crossbow,and gun season (11-19 to 12-3 ) to cull him. Will use my Encore 15" 460 or 7mm-08 and one of 7 Handi's.