Muzzleloader accuracy?

[SmoakAllen]

I am about to sight in my muzzle loader for IL whitetail. The maximum load is 150gr of pyrodex. Will it be more accurate if I use less like 130gr or 140??

[NYLES]

I dropped the pellets a few years ago....If I were you Id go to loose 777....I have more than one reason for this but Im pushed for time at the moment.....biggest reason is consistancy! do you ever get that flyer after 2 perfect shots? and sit scratching your head about howed that happen.. If so trust me its the pellets! I shoot 120 loose but thats almost max and equal to 150 pellets which by they way are not 50 grains each in 777...they are reduced.

If you can drop 3 pellets with the right end up you can pour loose just as fast...and loose is cheaper....shot for shot.

I was going to Iowa myself but trip fell through load in my Encore would have been 120 gr 777 and a 290 barnes TMZ...best shooting bullets I ever shot and they are mean when they get there!

check out my post in BP under... when i cant use a rifle.. thats my results from last year...after 26 years of ML thats best combo Ive ever found ! Any question about your bullets loads just ask.....but I promise that one will not let you down!

[J E Custom]

Smoakallen

I wish I could say yes or no but it's not that simple.

Being an accuracy nut I'm not willing to except 6" groups
at 100yrds so I have done quite a bit of testing and found
what works for me.

First . If you have a short barrel(24to 26") less is probably
better.

I know that some states will not allow sabot's or black powder
substitutes so it may be harder to work up a good load but not
impossible.

If you use lead alloy I recomend flat base spitzser solids 450grs+
(150grs of powder will open up the back of a hollow base Minne
and cause accuracy problems.)

Next if legal use triple 7 or shockey's in stead of black powder,
almost no fouling allowing for quick follow up shots.

My most accurate load for my 50 cal is 125grs 777 behind a barnes
250gr tipped MZ and a 300gr Expander MZ. these bullets retain
98% of there weight and fly very good up to 300yrds (have not
tested beyond that)

I did'nt realize how bad black powder fouled untill I started shooting
a 45/110 cartrige rifle .2to3 shots was it with black powder with out
cleaning . 3to 4 shots with pyrodex and 8to10 with 777.

Barrel fouling is the biggest accuracy problem for muzzle loaders and
the sabots & 777 all but eliminate it.

It is important to clean between each shot because this is the way
you will hunt with it (clean).

Start low 100grs and work up and you will see accuracy improve and
then fall off when this happens back down to the best group and
your home.

I hope this helps
J E CUSTOM

[James Jones]

I use loose 777 at 110gr loads under a 250gr Hornady Shockwave sabot , I have run the powder charge up to 160grs and the best accuracy was at 110grs with accuracy right at the 1" mark with an Encore. aqccuracy was at 1.5" mark with 130gr powder and a 300gr Shockwave.

I've tried all the new black powder subs and found 777 to be the most consistant and accurate. the 250gr Shockwave has great performance on deer and hogs up to 300lbs , the heavier slugs will likely offer deeper penitration.

bottom line is that the max load is rarely the most accurate even with muzzel loaders , so your best bet would be to start with about 100grs and work your way up

[Mule]

Use Holy Black and Patched Round balls!!!!!!

Sorry I will not be nice on the BP users with Sabots and Smokeless. If you are in the true spirit of BP shoot the original black and patched round balls. I can keep multiple patched roundballs in 54 cal touching at 100 yds with 90 grs of 1F in my persusion TC Renegade. Follow up shots are no big deal with the correct lube and patch thickness since the fouling will not inhibit the reload and accruacy is great. Round balls are great on penetration and if you are worried then step it up to the 58 cal and drop them like a rock

Happy hunting

Mule

[redbone]

What kind of rifle arw you useing ?

[James Jones]

Mule , you use 1F powder in you muzzel loader? I have a 36 cal Kentucky rifle here that I haven't played with yet , was wanting to shoot in some informal matches with it. I was thinking about using 2F but if your having good results with the slower 1F maybe I'll go that rout. I tried using FFF in my encore with Pyrodex and had good results actualy better accuracy but the Pyrodex is more trouble than its worth.

I'm like most guys and use my muzzel loader as a tool to extend my hunting season and for the most part I'm not realy concerned with the nestalga of hunting with the old style BP guns especialy if its a hunt for a trophy animal. When I get he urge to go primitive I soot my stick bow.