Muzzleloading accuracy and trajectory

[wildcat westerner]

In comparing the two Hornady bullets in 50 caliber, how would you compare the ELD-X to the FTX directly in terms of both trajectory and accuracy? I have a unused Knight Disc Extreme and plan to use Blackhorn powder.

 

[cohunt]

Accuracy can be based on your rifle
As far as trajectory----- how far?
your question is pretty vague

 

[marksman1941]

If both are the same weight, trajectory will be very similar within reasonable ranges. Unless you're trying to long range muzzy hunt, then it changes a bit. But you'll need to load test for the rifle with both bullets and see if you can make either group, chronograph that, and then build a dope chart. No different than a centerfire rifle.

 

[cajun]

For a muzzle loader with limited range I would be more concerned with bullet construction for hunting. A bullet like the eldx will not expand below 1800 fps. The ftx depending on caliber might be a little less. A dedicated muzzle loading bullet designed to open at lower velocities will give better performance.

 

[cohunt]

For a muzzle loader with limited range I would be more concerned with bullet construction for hunting. A bullet like the eldx will not expand below 1800 fps. The ftx depending on caliber might be a little less. A dedicated muzzle loading bullet designed to open at lower velocities will give better performance.

Are you sure about that 1800fps? He is talking about the new ml 340gr eldx, not a centerfire bullet.
The bore-driver series has the 290gr ftx, and the 340gr eld-x---- the 340gr is leaving the muzzle of most bp rifles between 1700-1900fps unless you go smokeless.

I'm not sure what their min expansion is but I highly doubt its 1800fps.

I tried the 340 in my cva optima v2 and I couldn't get it to group as well as I liked, so I stuck with my bor-lock load.

 

[cohunt]

These are the 2 bullets the op is talking about-- 1st is 340gr eldx and 2nd is 290gr ftx--- these are both .499 ml designed bullets in hornadys new "bore-driver" line just released this year

 

[cohunt]

Best bet for the op is to buy 1 pack of each and try them out-- bh209 likes cci magnum 209 primers, you'll need to make sure your breach plug is compatible with bh209 powder (it's harder to ignite than other bp substitutes so there is usually an optional breach plug designed just for bh209)
I would try 90, 95, 100, 105, &110 gr ( by volume) of the powder with each bullet to see what your velocity and group size you achieve. I find that most bullets like 100-110 gr of bh209 by volume but your rifle may differ.

Ml rifles are just like regular centerline rifles--- each one differs slightly so you just have to try different combos.

My rifle likes the heavy pb platinum bullets, the old discontinued ftx style bullet with no plastic skirt, the 300gr Thor, and the 290gr bor-lock bullet--- so I then choose which bullet construction for the animal I'm hunting is best and go from there.

The bor-lock, bore-driver, and power belt series load easily due to the plastic skirts

The power belt is a plated, the bore driver are jacketed ( cup/core), and the bor-lock has an all lead or an all copper bullet so you have a lot to choose from depending on what bullet construction you prefer

I'm not familiar with the knight disc series though so you'll need to research that series to see what it needs to be compatible with bh209 powder.

 

[Idahohoho]

In Idaho you can only use a bullet fully comprised of lead and loose bp or pyrodex, they did decide that the pure lead Powerbelts that have a plastic gas check on the back are okay. They've never failed me, every elk a hole the size of a quarter through the middle of the heart except last year…a cow ran by me at maybe 50 yards while I was standing underneath a giant ponderosa pine tree in the pouring rain, I've never seen an elk drop that fast running….hit her in the lowest neck vertebrae and she plowed into the ground like a commercial airliner. As far as velocity goes with a 50cal bp, I had my wife help me chrono them once, I shot at an 80 yard plate and she stood next to counting…one thousand one….one thousand two
It's the giant whack that kills them, not speed!

 

[wildcat westerner]

BOY, did I finally get some really good info on these series of answers. I will be checking with Knight as to whether I need a new breech plug for primers and BH 209 powder. I will be measuring my powder charges in weight, since I am conditioned by 30 years of precise benchrest shooting ( short and long range) and also am prejudiced towards Large rifle priming as it supposedly is superior in terms of accuracy. My questions to Knight about this subject was VERY evasive, and no help whatsoever. Somebody out there must have Knight rifles and knows all about reasonable accuracy, which bullets these barrels like and about Large rifle priming in a Knight rifle with BH 209 powder! . I have been warned about Knight rifles as not worth all the time and trouble to try to extract maximum accuracy. I also know that there are very accurate Muzzleloading rifles available, but at a price and availability that amazes me.
Thanks so much fellow shooters.

 

[cohunt]

Make sure you check your regs, some states you can't use centerfire primers, 209's are ok though. Others only allow caps or flint.

 

[wildcat westerner]

Thanks,
I will be using this rifle first, after Christmas in Missouri for Whitetail deer. Thereafter it will be used in New Mexico. I know about the iron sight rule in New Mexico and have experienced the incredible accuracy of a BPCR Sharps and its vernier wrist sight and bubble level tiny front bead, long ago. I shall check with Missouri on priming legalities. Thank you.

WW

 

[cohunt]

I've been wondering from the start. Why is this thread in the WTB section?

 

[wildcat westerner]

Poor selection on my part!

 

[Buttermilk]

Accuracy of the 340 ELDX has been great for me.