Load Development with the CVA Accura LR-X Part 2

[muzzle-loader]

We were back at the range this week with the CVA Accura LR-X and the goal was to find a good load for an upcoming spring bear hunt. We were testing with Thor Hammers and Pyrodex Select and we were able to find a decent load at 105 by weight of Pyrodex Select. We are planning to fine-tune it a little bit and get the group to 1" at 100 yards but I think that this is a good start. I will include the specific results below. (Please excuse the random shot off to the right. That was from a different group.)

Powder: 105 by Weight Pyrodex Select
Bullet: 250 Grain Thor Hammer
Primer: Federal 209A
Group Size: 2.16"
Average Velocity: 2,266 FPS
Distance: 100 Yards
Muzzleloader: CVA Accura LR-X
Scope: Burris RT-25

 

[rangerod]

I shoot the 300 grn Thor outta my Optima with spectacular groups.

 

[billyboy*]

Boy, I would think that 105 Grs by Weight would be a Hot Load? That Thor has a fairly delicate skirt & seems to shoot better around the 2,000 fps mark.
In my TC Encore with 110 Gs by Volume of BH 209 the .501” 250 Gr Thor shot Great!

 

[muzzle-loader]

Boy, I would think that 105 Grs by Weight would be a Hot Load? That Thor has a fairly delicate skirt & seems to shoot better around the 2,000 fps mark.
In my TC Encore with 110 Gs by Volume of BH 209 the .501” 250 Gr Thor shot Great!

That is what we thought as well. We were expecting 110 by volume to be the sweet spot but the 105 by weight (150 by volume) turned out to be the best load for this particular setup. Also, because Blackhorn creates more pressure than Pyrodex, the maximum safe load of Pyrodex is higher.

Magnum Charge of Blackhorn: 120 by volume (84 by weight)
Magnum Charge of Pyrodex Select: 150 by volume (105 by weight)