TC encore 209x50

[Prebanpaul]

what are you shooting and what kinda groups.   I am thinking of shooting the 250 sst hornday bullets with a 150grns of triple seven or shockeys gold sticks.  Has anyone use this and what are you finding it drops 100-200 yrds.  I have a need for a 200 yrd muzzle loader.

[Varmint Hunter]

With very few exceptions, muzzleloaders rarely shoot their best with 150gr charges of propellant. You may have to look for a balance between top velocity and best accuracy.

Most muzzloaders that I shoot with typically use charges between 90gr - 120gr even though their rifles are rated to use 150gr of pellets. Naturally, you will occasionally find someone who achieved great accuracy with a 150gr load but it is rare.

[nilescoyote]

A couple of years ago I used this type of bullet in my encore. I don't remember the exact drop at 200 from a 100 yards zero but I think it was around 10-12 inches. I was using 110 grains of 777.  At 100 yards my group  was under 2 inches for 3 shots. I found that more powder made the  group grow and never tried any thing above 120 grains (volume measure) because of it. If my memory serves me 200 yard group size was around 4 to 5 inches. This was over sand bags.

On a side note. I stopped using the sst because of a shot on a small buck. I aimed and hit where I wanted but the bullet failed to expand and acted like a FMJ with little organ damage. The deer was able to run 50+ yards after being hit in both lungs just above the heart at a range of 35 yards at the shot.

I went back to my old load, using a 240 grain Hornady XTP over 100 grains. Which when zero'ed at 125 yards will drop 3.5 inches at 150 and 13 inches at 200. It groups just over 2 inches at 125 yards and 5 inches at 200. Most of my shots are close shots. and with that 125 yard zero,  it will shoot 2 to 3 inches high from 25-75 yards. And all deer Ive taken have not gone more than 5-10 yards with very extensive organ damage from expansion shock.

[ricktile66]

I've had my 209X50 for about 7 years now and I can only find one 150 gr load that shoots well.  I use 150 gr pyrodex pellets with the Barnes 25 gr expander MZ.  They are hell to get down the barrel and I have to run a spit patch down between every shot.  However, they shoot very well and do plenty of damage on deer.  If you find anything else that shoots with max loads let me know.

[mbh78]

Try the 300 grain Barnes Expander with 100 gr of good ole black powder. My dad shoots this load in his encore and gets sub 1 inch groups at 100 yards with a muzzle vel of around 2100 fps. Also get maximum damage with the Barnes bullet.

[12ptdroptine]

A couple of years ago I used this type of bullet in my encore. I don't remember the exact drop at 200 from a 100 yards zero but I think it was around 10-12 inches. I was using 110 grains of 777.  At 100 yards my group  was under 2 inches for 3 shots. I found that more powder made the  group grow and never tried any thing above 120 grains (volume measure) because of it. If my memory serves me 200 yard group size was around 4 to 5 inches. This was over sand bags.

On a side note. I stopped using the sst because of a shot on a small buck. I aimed and hit where I wanted but the bullet failed to expand and acted like a FMJ with little organ damage. The deer was able to run 50+ yards after being hit in both lungs just above the heart at a range of 35 yards at the shot.

I went back to my old load, using a 240 grain Hornady XTP over 100 grains. Which when zero'ed at 125 yards will drop 3.5 inches at 150 and 13 inches at 200. It groups just over 2 inches at 125 yards and 5 inches at 200. Most of my shots are close shots. and with that 125 yard zero,  it will shoot 2 to 3 inches high from 25-75 yards. And all deer Ive taken have not gone more than 5-10 yards with very extensive organ damage from expansion shock.

I have read somewhere that  a charge of over 100 grs on the sst 250 sends it to fast at close range for the bullet to be able to open up properly o deer sized game...However I have had perfect performance with them from 10 yds to out over 100yds with 100grs of 777 (2 pellets)......My sone just shot one 2 weeks ago tonight at 85 yds and shot the bottom 2 inches of his heart off He made it 75 yds after the shot... I shot one about the same 3 years ago from 20 yds..He ran 135 yds with both lungs and the heart .I wouldnt judge a bullet's effectiveness on how far the animal ran after the hit But we all have the load that works the best for us....I really liked the 240grn xtp with 100 rg of 777 also...just didnt fly as good for me... Good Luck   Drop

[sportsman223]

 I am not sure about the 150g charge would not shoot in any of my guns.  With 100g of T7 and H 250g SST bullet sighted dead on @ 100y it will drop 10.5 inches @ 200y.
 My encore will shoot 90g of T7 with a 195g DeadCenterDuplex, and a 25ACP adaptor  2.5 inch high @ 100y, Dead on @ 150 ,3.5inch low @ 200y that's if I do my part.  This load is will know on the Inline Forum and it does work very well.

[7magfan]

I shot a nice doe this year at 85 yds with 2 777 pellets below a 250 grn shockwave. Even though the bullet performance was great, I switched to 3 pellets in anticipation of some longer shot opportunities in some farmland in Maine. I took the gun to the range and it blew my mind, the pro-hunter shot 1 inch 3 shot groups with the 250 grn shockwaves. It was truly incredible. (Didn't shoot anything with them yet   )

[12ptdroptine]

I shot a nice doe this year at 85 yds with 2 777 pellets below a 250 grn shockwave. Even though the bullet performance was great, I switched to 3 pellets in anticipation of some longer shot opportunities in some farmland in Maine. I took the gun to the range and it blew my mind, the pro-hunter shot 1 inch 3 shot groups with the 250 grn shockwaves. It was truly incredible. (Didn't shoot anything with them yet   )

With what charge of powder?

[7magfan]

Oops sorry..I use 50 grain pellets so I used 100 grns on the 2 but right now with the three the prohunter is giving me those 1 inch grps