209 primer conversion

[jwalk]

I recently picked up a remington model 700 muzzelloader. It's a 54 cal. and I'm loading 95 gr. of pyrodex and using #11 cci primers. My first outing to the range I was disapointed by having several miss fires and having difficulty removing the deformed unfired cap. My friend suggested to go to the 209 primer conversion. I then ordered a conversion kit out of cabelas. However when I ordered the kit the person who took my order said that her computer instructed her to inform me that cci does not recommend the conversion due to the possibility of bolt damage.I'm not sure what to do? any suggestions would be helpful

[Coug]

I have the same muzzleloader except mine is set up for use with musket caps. I have had great success with them and they definitely seem to produce enough fire to ignite the powder charge quickly. I talked with the guy that sold me the muzzleloader to see if I would gain any performance by switching to 209's with the 209 conversion kit and he recommended that I stick with the musket caps. He seemed to be a big fan of them and I sure haven't found a reason to switch. However, if you want to shoot 209 primers just shoot the standard Winchester 209 primers and there shouldn't be any problems. It seems that it is just the CCI 209M that can cause problems. I'm shooting 100 grains of Tripple-7 with 348-grain powerbelts. It's been a good load for me. Good hunting!

Coug

[norseman_hunter]

jwalk

Coug is on the right path. You can use the Winchester 209s, but steer clear of the CCI 209s. Something you might want to do if you are having problems with #11 is take a bit of emery cloth and take just a hair off the nipple. This will ensure that the cap is seated compleatly down. I amost bet if you were to pull the trigger and nothing happens, if you were to recock the rifle and fire it again with out touching the nipple, the gun would go off. What is happening is the nipple is not seated all the way, so the first trigger pull slams it into place. Just an idea.


Have fun and be safe.

[Yooper]

I picked up and Austin and Haleck that had a similar problem. It was set up to fire a #11 cap, but when I'd pull the trigger, the cap would go but that'd be it. I filed a little off, thinking the spark wasn't getting to the powder and it seemed to help, although not a perfect fit. A call to the company and I was set up with a 209 conversion kit.

I have a CVA that I set up with musket caps and i have to admit, I like them better than 209's. The 209's are kind of a pain to deal with, in my opinion, unless you've got a Knight or a T/C.

If my Austin and Haleck wasn't such a tack-driver, I'd probably be selling it.

[jwalk]

Thanks guys for the info. I'm not familiar with the musket caps, does that just require a diferent nipple or is there more to it than that. I also would like to hear more opinions the power belts verse maxiballs. I was fortunate enough to pull a colorado moose tag this year and am considering using my muzzel loader for the undertaking, no pun intended. If any one else has more info. on where I could find more bullet options it seems cabelas has only a limited amount of 54 cal. available. For instance no 54 cal. dangerous game. later jwalk

[The Shizzle]

Yeah, switching to a musket cap from a #11 is usually just a matter of switching nipples.

Powerbelts have the benifits of sabots, but throw a lot more lead/copper/whatever at your game. I like them.

[norseman_hunter]

One problem I have had with the Powerbelts is accuracy. Of course I tried them when they first came out so maybe they have fixed the issue. What sort of groupings are you guys getting?

[The Shizzle]

Try the Powerbelts with the little areo tip on them. MUCH better.