Kahnke 82. .54
Well I dug it out of its safe. Kahnke 82. It has been loaded for 3 years of course without a cap. When storing muzzleloaders I take a rubber ear plug and place it on the nipple then let the hammer down. Keeps moisture out.. Went to the range and shot it into the buffalo with the 425gr great plains. Went off without a hitch as usual. It has been so long since I shot it that I forgot how nasty it really is. It makes a hot 454 feel like a cap gun.
Then to the shop to clean it. I swab the bores on the black powder, pyrodex and 777 guns with TC bore butter after loading. Two wet patches Then two dry patches followed by bore butter and it was clean. There is a lot to be said about using proper products for cleaning and protecting muzzleloaders. I ran a bore light in the big .54 bore and it is still bright and shiny after over 40 years. It was my late uncle's gun. He started me hunting and shooting many moons ago.
I loaded up one of my fresh new MMP sabots with a 240gr XTP. 70grs 777 and quick trip to the range. Now it feels like a 44 magnum. Makes sense because that is the power level with this load. Very tolerable. It got dark before I could get it sighted in. I can't wait to get it in the woods.
Looks and sounds promising