MuleyMadness Hunting Forums

I wanted to try this combination for this years Colorado elk hunt. I just received my new Hornady FPB the other day. Has anyone tried this combination? Is it OK to shoot 350 grain conical with the new Blackhorn 209 powder? I wrote BH but they haven't e-mailed me back yet.

Thanks,
Jeff

No, I have not tried that combo yet but 350 is where they max out on recommendation of bullet weight. They also do not recommend exceeding 100 grains at that weight. The heaviest bullet weight I see tested is a white 320 grain.

I would be real interested in results with this combo. My initial thought is that it would not perform that well just based on what has been tested with power belts. I may be, and hope I am completely wrong here and hope some one tries it. I would think it depends on how snug the bullet fits and if you get some expansion of the concave base to get a really good gas seal at ignition.

Modern muzzle-loading and Colorado regulations don't seem to compliment each other very well. I don't know if any other state presents the same regulations/problems as Colorado does and have been watching to see if someone develops a niche combo to address Colorado regs. I think everyone is just hoping Colorado changes instead of changing for Colorado. If that combo of Hornadyfpb and BH209 works that seems promising.

I am just guessing 1700 to a max of 1800fps at around that 100 grain charge.

Thanks southwind. I plan on trying it out next week. I want to start out with 70 grains of powder and work my way up to 90-100 and see how accurate it is. I'll keep you posted.

Southwind, I started out with 70 grains of Blackhorn 209 and worked my way up to 90 grains. I was shooting at 60 yards and had 5" groups. I was hoping it would group tighter. It seemed to shoot better with the heavier loads. Some of the problem might have been me. The open sights covered most of the target.

Hey Hiker
Any luck getting tighter groups with the FPB and your Omega Z-5? I am looking for a good bullet for my omega also. I used 348 grain AT powerbelts last year in CO and had great success on the range but not great experience out in the field. I have also tried the maxi ball and maxi hunter and had a hard time on the range getting a good group at all. Thinking about trying some new bullets out.

I just read a note that said the FPB would not be legal in Colorado because the length is over twice that of the bore diameter?

This is supposedly from the legal department of the Colorado DOW. Since I did not get this first hand I do not know the legitimacy of it.

Hiker, do you have any idea?

I heard that also. If you cut off the red tip it would be legal.

Hiker we need to hook up soon to test some other powder in that elk slayer ML of yours

From what I have heard, all you need to do is cut off the soft rubber tip like Hiker mentioned. Has anyone shot these? I have seen reports that the jackets are cracked. Guys with the Savage smokeless MLs have tried them and not gotten good results but at stinky powder velocities it may be ok.