Parker Productions Expands and Improves “Western States Legal” Muzzleloading Projectiles
Bob Parker, proprietor of Parker Productions, is a clever fellow. Send Bob some steel wool and he can likely knit you a Volkswagen. Unlike some names in the bullet industry, Bob spends a lot of time with load development, improving accuracy and terminal performance not in a general sense, but focusing on the best results in specific applications.
Of late, Bob has been working with both Thompson-Center rifles and also Knight rifles, including the Knight .52 caliber. In Colorado and a some western states, sabots are not allowed for muzzleloading hunting. It is for no rational reason, but that's a story for a different day. So, Bob has sought to improve the performance of muzzleloaders as constrained by the current scheme of random regulations present in some western states.
Bob
writes, “We have developed a western states bore size bullet for
the T.C. This projectile meets the legalities of all western states
in regards to length and composition. Testing was done in the T.C. Pro
Hunter; accuracy runs 11/2—2 inches @ 100 yds. This is not
a target load, but will do well for the open sight hunting mandated by
the western states requirements. The powder chosen is Blackhorn
209, the load 85 grs. Particular attention should be given to keeping
the flash channel of the T.C. breech plug free of primer deposit build
up---here are the essentials.
1. Because of the length of the T.C. breech plug fouling from the 209
primer will build up inside the flash channel causing poor ignition.
2. To keep this passage clear use a 1/8 drill bit and either by hand or using a regular drill remove the fouling. The deposit will be hard; don’t be fooled, just because you can see light through the channel does not mean it is completely open. If this build up is present—accuracy will suffer.
3.
The next concern is the flash hole in the plug itself. If using
Blackhorn 209 the hole diameter must be at least .032 for proper ignition.
When all components are right your T.C. will shoot these conicals well.
I have spent the better part of a year developing and testing various
shapes, weights, alloys and styles of bullets. The T.C. is not bore
size friendly—it loves the sabots, but bore size is another matter.
If you are one of the lucky hunters planning a Western States hunt this
year and you are planning to shoot a T.C. the Western States Legal 475
gr HydraCon will serve you well. ”
Bob
has also spent a lot of time with the Knight .52. Bob's first call was
to Dave Farmer (Rocky Mountain Shooters Supply—Hoch Custom Bullet
Molds) to discuss his recommendations on bullet specifications best suited
for the .52 Cal Knight. After a time of deliberation we settled
on a 530 gr. hollow point that could be produced in either the Hydra Con
or Traditional Hunter configuration.
The
load chosen was 110 grains by volume of 777 FFg. Groups ran 1-1/2—2
inches @ 100yards, trajectory was surprising:
TEST
RIFLE
Knight .52 D.I.S.C. Extreme
Load—110 grs. 777ffg
Group @ 100 yards 11/2—2 inches
TRAJECTORY
+11/2” @ 25 yds
+3”
@ 50 yds
+2”
@ 100 yds
-2”
@ 150 yds
-14” @
200yds
The Knight .52 has proven itself to be an effective big game rifle. Loaded with the Parker 530gr. Hydra Con, it carries ample power for all North American Big Game.
If a Western "conical only" hunt is in the cards for you this year, you can't do much better than getting in touch with Bob Parker. Bob has put in the all the testing and R & D for you, so you can start with proven, viable combinations . . . then season them to taste, as your individual rifle may well work best best with a slightly lighter or heavier propellant charge. Bob has provided the best starting point you can hope for.
If you have more questions, or to order your bullets today, just call Bob Parker at 208-596-8430.
