209X50 tips needed for accurate shooting . . .

[Ranger413]

I'm heading to the range this coming Monday and need some advice for my shooting session.  I have two different bullets and two different powders to try.  

Pyrodex Pellets (50gr. each)
Triple 7 (loose powder)
CVA PowerBelt Bullets
T/C MagExpress Sabots (HP XTP bullet in plastic sabot)

Questions:

Does anyone have an idea how the above combos would work best - i.e. most accurate loadings.  I'm trying to stay around the 100 gr./2 pellet loading.  Tried three pellets last year and didn't like the recoil much.  Not a whimp, just don't like to get pounded if I'm going to be shooting more than a couple of rounds.

How about cleaning?  I was doing it once between every two shots last time I was out.  Loading the third round without cleaing was getting pretty tough.  By cleaning I mean swabbing the bore with T/C bore butter and then a dry patch.  

This will be the first time that I've fired the barrel with a scope mounted to it.  Bushnell Elite 3200 3-9X40mm.  I'm looking to get her sighted in and am interested in the 100 yard capabilities.  Early muzzleloader season starts in mid to late October here in AR.

Thank you in advance for your input and ideas.

Ranger413

[onesonek]

I like the Powerbelts. The TC's (in my rifle) were harder to reload after the first shot with Pyro. Don't know about the 777, going to try their pellets soon. The PB's are dream to load.   onesonek

[hyltoto]

I did a full factorial design of experiments, and the number one factor for accuracy was using loose powder instead of pellets. I used 5 shot groups, and 7 out of 10 times with pellets I got a flyer more than 6 inches away. It never happened with powder that was loose. I was using 150 grains for Elk hunting purposes. One key is to buy the alignment tool to perfectly align the bullet, this really helps.

A field obsevation: I used a 150 grain load with a 240 xtp sabot for deer hunting. Shot a doe at about 60 yards. The bullet zipped through and never expanded, I use 100 grains for deer now.

[longwinters]

I started shooting last year with my 209.  Started with Pyro pellets . . . never again.  A pain to clean, and had to clean way to often and also had problems with flyers.  Went to Clean shot powder and it was PHENOMINAL!!!!! No sulfer smell, you can shoot all day and not clean your gun.  And when you do clean it at home, it takes maybe 3 patches with just hot water and you are done :eek: . They had pellets but somebody who was in competition took them to court and so they just do powder.  The accuracy with the T.C's was very good at 100 yds.  I did not shoot further.  The 777 , I hear, is not that easy to clean.  But I have not shot it because the Clean shot is so fantastic.

[2eagles]

The closest you can come to what I shoot is the xtp and 100 grains of 777.  I won't shoot those magnum 150 gr loads and I haven't been able to get the Powerbelts to group well in my Encore. Also, I like to clean between every shot because my first shot while hunting is always from a clean barrel and I want to know where the first shot is going.  I use the Pyrodex pellets in speed loaders for a second shot when hunting so I can reload quickly and at hunting ranges they shoot close enough to loose powder.  Jim

[Ranger413]

Went to the range today and fired the Encore 209X50 with the scope.  I shot a total of about 15 rounds and all but three consisted of the T/C Mag Express Sabots with the all lead bullets.  The last three shots were with the JHP Mag Express stuff.

She printed on the paper right away at 25 yards.  After three rounds she was hitting near the bull at that distance.  A quick check at 50 yards showed about 2 inches low dead center.

I moved out to 100 yards and saw rounds hitting about 2" low and 3" to the right.  After a few adjustments I stuck up a fresh target and fired the XTP bullets.  The 3-shot group was about 3 1/2" and centered over the bull.  I was using loose Triple 7 powder at 100 grains.  

I decided to clean between every shot.  Cleaning consisted of running a patch with T/C bore butter down the bore then a dry patch.   All in all I was pretty satisfied.  I may look at trying out the powerbelts from CVA next time around.   I'm also thinking of looking at the took that goes on the end of the ram rod that helps to center the bullet while loading.

Thanks again for all your help.  

Ranger413

[Buckshot#2]

I had some poor performance on a buck last fall.  The 240 gr. XTP really disintegrated and never exited.  After many hours on the trail I harvested the buck.  When I skinned the deer I found pieces of lead  all throughout the front shoulder area along with many pieces of copper jacket.  I have used the XTP 240 gr. in my Ruger Deerfield and had good bullet performance.  I am not going to use them in my Encore this year.

[Steve E]

What shoots good for me is 2 Pyrodex pellets(totlal of 100 grs.) and the Barnes 250 gr HP in a sabot, comes in a pack of 10 and I usually got mine at Wally World. Accuracy in mine is 1 1/2 to 2 in at 100 yds.

                                              Steve E...........

[smokey66]

I have tried many different combinations in my 209X50. The most accurate
load I have found to date is: 110gr -777 topped with a T-C 300gr XTP. the recoil is a bit harsh, but the accuracy is worth it to me. In my Encore this load
produces sub 2 inch groups @ 100yds and lots of key holes @ 50 yds.....

[MF]

I took my new Encore to the range yesterday evening. I mounted a Leupold 6x scope on it and was shooting (2) 50 grain Triple 7 pellets and 295 grain Powerbelt aerotips. I cleaned with a spit patch and 3 dry patches between shots and after making scope adjustments it put eight rounds into a two inch group. I think that should be close enough for my upcoming elk hunt!

[hyltoto]

You can down-load the ballistic performance from there. I furnished the guys I know with this info, and they calculate 130 grains was needed to provide a fairly flat trajectory and enough energy to drop a biggun'. I don't know I just kill deer.