T/C Impact, .50 caliber

MarkCO · September 23, 2015, 08:08 PM

This summer, I got a TC Impact and went straight to Blackhorn 209. I started at 70 units (volume) and worked up to 110 with Green Powerbelt 245HPs. I dropped back to 100 units and that gave me about 2" groups at 100 yards that were about 3" high. No swabbing of the barrel, I had the same group size after 20 rounds as I did at the start. Cleaned with Montana Extreme BH209 cleaner and a .50 cal Bore-Tip. I cleaned the Bore Tip and reused it several times. I use Winchester 209 primers because that is what I had. All in all, it was pretty painless and was much cleaner, faster and simpler than the Hawkins 50 caliber I used back 20 some odd years ago.

I do have a few questions:

1. I have surmised that the T/Cs are not supposed to shoot conicals all that well. Is that true for the Impacts, or did I get lucky?

2. I did not foul the barrel with a primer after cleaning and used a clean bore for 1st shots. Is there any problem with that given the components I am using? With the Hawkin, I did foul the bore because I was told that is what you do.

3. I was about 3" high of POA at 100 yards, but had lowered the rear sight all the way. Is that typical and is there a solution that is simple with the stock sights to get a 100 yard zero or should i just roll with it? In CO, so optics not legal to hunt.

4. I have not seen anyone use or recommend Win 209 primers, and some say they are not good. Does that still hold with BH209?

If you have not tried BH209, it sure seems like a great step forward to me.

FrontierGander · September 24, 2015, 12:36 AM

Winchester W209 primers will work fine and may be cleaner in the TC rifles as they seem to fit the TC "head spacing" a little better.

W209, CCI, CCI 209M, Federal 209a primers will all work reliably with BH209. I prefer to use a HOT primer and so I use the CCI 209M primers since I have a few thousand of them. No failures in a LONG time.

I certainly would up the weight of the powerbelt since you are using a 110gr BH209 load. Thats a very hot load for a puny bullet like that. If you used the 250gr Aerolite, I think you'd like the harvest results much better. That or the 270-300gr Platinum Powerbelt.

Jonathan

MarkCO · September 24, 2015, 07:48 AM

I did go to 110 units, but dropped back to 100 as they were more accurate.

Will try the Aerolite, thanks.

Doyle · September 24, 2015, 08:03 AM

Try a different bullet. I've seldom seen Powerbelts group well in anything other than a CVA. My favorite is the Hornady SST.

MarkCO · September 24, 2015, 09:04 AM

I hunt in CO. Sabots are not allowed, so the SST is not an option. The 300 grain Hornady FPB is an option, but I could not find them in stock anywhere and I also did not want to go to 300 grains. If that is THE bullet, will certainly try them. I have 11 months before the next season.

I am not sure I can get much better with open sights and almost 50 year old eyes anyway. 2" at 100 is not bad.

September 23, 2015, 08:08 PM	#1
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	T/C Impact, .50 caliber This summer, I got a TC Impact and went straight to Blackhorn 209. I started at 70 units (volume) and worked up to 110 with Green Powerbelt 245HPs. I dropped back to 100 units and that gave me about 2" groups at 100 yards that were about 3" high. No swabbing of the barrel, I had the same group size after 20 rounds as I did at the start. Cleaned with Montana Extreme BH209 cleaner and a .50 cal Bore-Tip. I cleaned the Bore Tip and reused it several times. I use Winchester 209 primers because that is what I had. All in all, it was pretty painless and was much cleaner, faster and simpler than the Hawkins 50 caliber I used back 20 some odd years ago. I do have a few questions: 1. I have surmised that the T/Cs are not supposed to shoot conicals all that well. Is that true for the Impacts, or did I get lucky? 2. I did not foul the barrel with a primer after cleaning and used a clean bore for 1st shots. Is there any problem with that given the components I am using? With the Hawkin, I did foul the bore because I was told that is what you do. 3. I was about 3" high of POA at 100 yards, but had lowered the rear sight all the way. Is that typical and is there a solution that is simple with the stock sights to get a 100 yard zero or should i just roll with it? In CO, so optics not legal to hunt. 4. I have not seen anyone use or recommend Win 209 primers, and some say they are not good. Does that still hold with BH209? If you have not tried BH209, it sure seems like a great step forward to me. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

September 24, 2015, 12:36 AM	#2
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	Winchester W209 primers will work fine and may be cleaner in the TC rifles as they seem to fit the TC "head spacing" a little better. W209, CCI, CCI 209M, Federal 209a primers will all work reliably with BH209. I prefer to use a HOT primer and so I use the CCI 209M primers since I have a few thousand of them. No failures in a LONG time. I certainly would up the weight of the powerbelt since you are using a 110gr BH209 load. Thats a very hot load for a puny bullet like that. If you used the 250gr Aerolite, I think you'd like the harvest results much better. That or the 270-300gr Platinum Powerbelt. Jonathan __________________ https://buckskinsbp.blogspot.com/

September 24, 2015, 07:48 AM	#3
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	I did go to 110 units, but dropped back to 100 as they were more accurate. Will try the Aerolite, thanks. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

September 24, 2015, 09:04 AM	#5
MarkCO Senior Member Join Date: October 21, 1998 Location: Colorado, USA Posts: 4,307	I hunt in CO. Sabots are not allowed, so the SST is not an option. The 300 grain Hornady FPB is an option, but I could not find them in stock anywhere and I also did not want to go to 300 grains. If that is THE bullet, will certainly try them. I have 11 months before the next season. I am not sure I can get much better with open sights and almost 50 year old eyes anyway. 2" at 100 is not bad. __________________ Good Shooting, MarkCO www.CarbonArms.us

September 24, 2015, 08:03 AM	#4
Doyle Senior Member Join Date: June 20, 2007 Location: Rainbow City, Alabama Posts: 7,167	Try a different bullet. I've seldom seen Powerbelts group well in anything other than a CVA. My favorite is the Hornady SST.