It took me a few years to give in and purchase Blackhorn 209 powder because it was so expensive. Years later, Blackhorn 209 is now even more insanely expensive. Even with the crazy price, here's why Blackhorn 209 is the only powder we shoot in our muzzleloaders for the last several years.
I use my RCBS Chargemaster to measure 105 grains by weight of Blackhorn 209 that I fill up 20 charging tubes to take hunting with me and the Powerbelt 285 Gr .45 caliber ELR is my bullet of choice for Blackhorn 209 in my CVA Paramount.
Here are my thoughts and experiences on why we use Blackhorn 209.
Consistent accuracy with a fresh load in the barrel to a load that has been in the barrel for months
The biggest reason we use Blackhorn 209 is that it is consistently hitting the correct point of impact, whether I have a fresh load in the barrel or a load that has been sitting in the barrel for months on end.
When I was using Triple 7 powder, I was getting great accuracy at the bench with my CVA Accura V2. With a variable power scope, I was money out to 300 yards with fresh loads. The accuracy would change when I left it loaded overnight, in a tent, in the cold. One example of shots going off course was when I missed a slam dunk shot at a four-point buck at 166 yards back in 2016. After that miss and there were others, I started looking into how my CVA Accura V2 shot after being loaded for a few days. I also shot it on paper at the range with loads in the barrel for days and found that the first shot could end up being several inches off at 100 yards.
From what I have learned, one factor that is likely the cause of erratic shots by black powder substitutes is that they absorb moisture from the air. I found examples online of people saying that you need to shoot your muzzleloader every night and load a fresh load in the morning to help with accuracy. I don't have to do this with Blackhorn 209.
After switching to Blackhorn 209, I have never had a bullet fly off course after it has been in the barrel for a long period of time.
Two different years, months after the hunting season was over, we fired our muzzleloaders at the range to empty them and the bullets have all flown true on Dallen's Accura V2, Kaden's Accura MR-X and my Paramount muzzleloader, all loaded with Blackhorn 209.
No need to run spit patches or cleaning patches between shots
To get Triple 7 loads to be consistently accurate shot after shot, I would run a spit patch down the barrel in between shots. With Blackhorn 209 I just load and shoot and shoot and shoot and the accuracy is always there. It is almost like I am shooting powder with all the properties of smokeless powder, except it smokes a lot when fired.
Lower risk of rusting
Blackhorn 209 is not corrosive like black powder and black powder substitutes. I still clean my muzzleloaders but don't worry one bit if it takes me a week to get to cleaning it.
Cost
Blackhorn 209 is just way too expensive, but hands down the powder I want to be using. It would be nice if there were another powder on the market that performed like Blackhorn. This could greatly help in bringing the cost down.
I put five charging tubes along with bullets, primers, powder funnel and other items in a pouch on my bino harness. I then put the remaining charging tubes in a charging tube case that I place in my pack.
In 2025, I took this buck at 218 yards with my CVA Paramount and 1x Primary Arms SLx micro prism scope. My muzzleloader had been loaded with Blackhorn 209 for six days and the bullet flew true.
Here's the article on this hunt: Where to Hunt in the Henry Mountains - 2025 DIY Muzzleloader Deer Hunt
I took this buck in 2022 at 375 yards with my CVA Paramount that had been loaded for multiple days with Blackhorn 209. I shot the buck while it was bedded at 375 yards. When I had a variable power scope on my Paramount, with Blackhorn 209, I was very comfortable shooting out to 500 yards. You can see me on my range drilling steel at 475 yards with the CVA Paramount Muzzleloader.
Here's the article on this hunt: 2022 Utah General Deer Seasons