Muzzleloading Powders - Reviews from the Shot Show

There were quite few companies at the Shot Show 2010 with new powders, and now I have my work cut out for me for testing them. (not that I’m complaining!)

One company that was there, that I guess you would say is producing a relatively new and great powder, was Blackhorn/Western Powders. I was able to spend over an hour with Don Lhur, their Ballistic Lab Manager, and let me tell you, this company has done their homework on Blackhorn 209!

Don shared a lot of information on their testing of Blackhorn and their further plans that will cater to the modern muzzleloading hunter. They are very much on track with consumer needs and wishes.

If you’ve watched my Precision Fire Inlines DVD or talked with me at a show or on the phone, then you know I have personally shot a lot of Blackhorn 209 with great results. I must say that although Blackhorn is a little more costly than the other powders, it will take it’s share of the black powder substitute market. The people at Blackhorn are very in-tune with customer satisfaction and seem to be a very transparent company with no hidden agenda. All you have to do to fall in love with this product is try just one can and you will be hooked forever!

Another product I ran across was a powder called Black Mag. While talking with Al Raychard of the company, he assured me that Black Mag XP will be an up-and-coming product because of it’s reasonable cost, low corrosive properties and it’s ease of ignition. This product can also be used in side-lock rifles. Black Mag XP is a product that we are not familiar with, but are looking forward to testing this summer.

The only other powder I found at the Shot Show 2010 that I have not had any experience with is a new powder coming out from the American Pioneer Company called “Super Powder”. I was told by Brett Epstein with American Pioneer that this powder will be available on the market in late February. He was very knowledgeable, and proud of this new product. Brett claims the powder to be clean burning, easy to clean up, gives good velocities and ignites well. We look forward to testing his claims and will be evaluating it along with the Black Mag XP this summer. for information regarding our results around August 2010.