I was thinking we might all try some pattern counts and see what we can get our knights to do. I got a PM from another owner that got my brain to working. I can chrony about any combo we can come up with. My hope is that with several of us experimenting we might all benefit from each others testing. reflex264
You already know im on board :z-winnersmiley: Ill take care of pellet counts with the traditional way of loading like i do with nickel plated #5 and T7 powder! I think as far as chronographing goes, it would be nice to know what the velocities are with the max loading of 2 1/2oz and 110gr of powder, all the way down to a lighter load like 1 1/2oz and 70gr of powder! Or maybe go 80, 90, 100gr powder charges with each shot charge from 2 1/2-1 1/2oz in 1/4oz increments in between!
I'll be watching but not participating much. I don't have an area to pattern as often as I like. My TK did fine with the 2 1/2oz #6 lead in a Knight plastic wad + Knight foam over shot pushed with 100gr of Goex real black powder. The most I'll play with is trying some 777 and #5 instead of the #6. I already have a stock of both. I may kick the Goex up to 110gr if I'm feeling silly.
I dont really have alot to add either, but i will be reporting pellet counts for the shot charge/powder combinations i use when i pattern! Im using T7 for my propellent, as im sure alot of people do in their muzzleloading rifles! Ive been told that when it comes to muzzleloading shotguns a push is whats needed to produce consistent patterns! T7 ive been told by some wasnt meant to be a shotgun propellent, and it will produce more of a jolt than a push to the load! I dunno, i could use Pyrodex RS, as its easy enough to find but Goex...? Its nearly impossible to get in my neck of the woods, shipping is a killer also! There is a traditional muzzleloading supply house thats a 2hr drive from my place but im not sure i need to :z-dizzy:
Mine came from the Bass Pro in Ft. Myers, Fl. I was surprised they had it also :o
I'm shooting the TK2000 with their choke tube, 100 gr of 777, 170 gr of #5 shot, using a lubed felt wad and a wadcup with an overshot cup. I'm shooting at 35 yards and constantly in the 125/10 inch circle range. Kill pellets in the brain or spine have been a low of 9 and a high of 14.
Its a volume measurement!!! Think of 100gr powder, well make that 170gr and pour shot in! Its like 1 5/8oz or so i believe :OGturkeyhead:
I hunt with a retired math teacher. He figured all the volume measurements for me. I'll dig them up at some point and post a few. Handy to have.
Right on the volume measure, I think it's over 2 oz, but I use my powder measure and it's 170 grains on the measurement.
Typo on my part, i meant 1 7/8oz
Took the TK to the range yesterday and worked up a load that im happy with! :z-winnersmiley: After running through every powder/shot combo i settled on 2 1/2oz of #5 1/2 pushed by 120gr of ffg Pyrodex RS! I load my muzzleloader conventionally and not with shot wads! My loading consistes of powder, .070 nitro card, 1/2" lubed fiber wad, buffered shot, .025 over shot card with hole poked slightly of center to allow for passage of air during loading! All cards/wads are 12ga from Ballistic Products as well as the 2 scoops of buffer added to the shot! With this loading i achieved upper 80's - low 90's in 10" @ 40yds, with 20-30 pellets in the head and neck of a commercial turkey target! Pattern was what id consider a good "Hunting" pattern, with no gaps to speak of and consistent! Inner 18" of pattern was nice and full!
Well time to re-visit this. My dad got sick right in the middle of my work with the TK2000 and eventualy passed away. I am back at it and have a huge bird spied out I hope to smack with black powder. reflexl
Sorry about your Dad. I didn't get to pattern as much as I would have liked either. If nothing else I'll check my current load a few times and be happy. The season begins (for me) on March 16th.
I had SumToy build me a set up so I can use regular chokes in my TK, I shot it again a couple times quick at lunch and got 200 in 10" at 40. just under 100gr 777, tps wad full of Hevi shot, buffered, foam over card. Want to get some time playing with loads(dont' need to really) when turkey season is done. I shot an Osceola a couple weeks ago and plan on trying to finish a single season slam with it soon!
Added a couple pics from today. I finished my muzzle loader single season slam
https://picasaweb.google.com/115516601528181241557/20130421?authkey=Gv1sRgCMue8uq5gfKt1QE