collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: Bullet Type?  (Read 4668 times)

Offline lilredhead

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 21
  • Location: Kelso, Wa.
Bullet Type?
« on: May 30, 2012, 05:05:33 AM »
This will be my first year muzzle loading elk in western Wa. I am an avid reloader and wanted some advice and opinions on a good penetrating bullet. I have a 1:28 twist Traditions Vortex. Thank you
« Last Edit: May 30, 2012, 05:11:57 AM by lilredhead »

Offline C-Money

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2008
  • Posts: 10612
  • Location: Grant County
  • Self proclaimed 3pt master
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #1 on: May 30, 2012, 06:27:35 AM »
I think finding a bullet your muzzleloader shoots accurately is more important. I like Powerbelts, and I would look at the offerings from Nosler. 

You can have the coolest bullet on the market. If your rifle wont group it, it ends up not being so cool.
« Last Edit: June 14, 2012, 11:19:39 AM by C-Money »
I felt like a one legged cat trying to bury a terd on a frozen pond!

Offline CP

  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Mar 2008
  • Posts: 6453
  • Location: Mukilteo
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #2 on: May 30, 2012, 06:46:25 AM »
I shoot a .50 cal Knight with a 1:28 twist and it likes:

Sierra Sports Master Bullets 44 Caliber (429 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Soft Point
And
Hornady XTP Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Both offer good sectional density (needed for penetration) and great accuracy. 

I’m not a fan of bore sized projectiles like powerbelts, a good sabotted bullet out performs them.

Offline whacker1

  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Old Salt
  • ******
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 5816
  • Location: Spokane
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #3 on: May 30, 2012, 06:48:20 AM »
barnes expander is another good one

Offline ing

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Feb 2009
  • Posts: 599
  • Location: WA
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #4 on: May 30, 2012, 08:23:17 AM »
I shoot a .50 cal Knight with a 1:28 twist and it likes:

Sierra Sports Master Bullets 44 Caliber (429 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Soft Point
And
Hornady XTP Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Both offer good sectional density (needed for penetration) and great accuracy. 

I’m not a fan of bore sized projectiles like powerbelts, a good sabotted bullet out performs them.
I've killed one deer and two elk with the 300gr 44 cal XTP's. They work great within 100 yards but don't seem to penetrate enuf at longer distances.  I'm going to try the LBT style heat treated solids from Cast Performance this year.  44 cal 300 and 320gr.

Online Pathfinder101

  • The Chosen YAR
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Jan 2009
  • Posts: 11736
  • Location: Southeast WA
  • Semper Primus
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #5 on: May 30, 2012, 09:32:21 AM »
Nothing to add, just wanted to chime in so I can follow the thread. 
Before you criticize someone, you should walk a mile in their shoes.  That way, when you criticize them, you're a mile away and you have their shoes.

Offline arrowflinger

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (+3)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Jul 2007
  • Posts: 1012
    • https://www.facebook.com/ChasingWildCreatures
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #6 on: May 30, 2012, 09:55:00 AM »
barnes expander is another good one

 :yeah:

Offline Sabotloader

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 2308
  • Location: Idaho, Northern
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #7 on: May 30, 2012, 10:27:55 AM »
This will be my first year muzzle loading elk in western Wa. I am an avid reloader and wanted some advice and opinions on a good penetrating bullet. I have a 1:28 twist Traditions Vortex. Thank you

Might look through this thread - see it migh give you any ideals...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=77194.0



Keep shooting muzzleloaders - They are a blast!!

Offline floatinghat

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2009
  • Posts: 696
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #8 on: May 30, 2012, 07:39:57 PM »
I am in a similar situation as you first time muzzy and I'll add first time elk hunter.  I bought some Harvester 260g Scorpions to try with the Harvester Crush Rib sabot.  Don't know how they shoot yet however I assume I am going to be trying a number of different loads.   I am also going to try the Speer Sabotloader has recommend I just have not ordered them yet.  First thing will be finding the time to get it on paper, then take the time to find a good load.  I will be shooting a Knight DISC and will also be ordering the Western Kit.

Offline lilredhead

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 21
  • Location: Kelso, Wa.
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #9 on: May 30, 2012, 10:12:24 PM »
Had a knight years ago and tried those LBT lead cast bullets and couldn't get them to group.  Sold the rifle without ever hunting with it. I am a fan of the solids and thats what I shoot out of my .45-70. Thinking maybe the route of the laser cast, if they don't work out, they will be used in the .44mag. I've heard alot of pros and cons on the Barned bullets. With those calibers .44 and up I am not looking for much expansion. Hoping to draw that Margaret this year but been doing that for 15 years...just might finally get lucky. Thanks for all the thoughts and opinions. Will be doing more research and testing at the range.
« Last Edit: May 30, 2012, 10:23:11 PM by lilredhead »

Offline lilredhead

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Pilgrim
  • *
  • Join Date: Mar 2011
  • Posts: 21
  • Location: Kelso, Wa.
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #10 on: May 30, 2012, 10:21:33 PM »
Sabotloader-
      Thanks for the thread, great info. It will surely get me going in the right direction.

Offline RG

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+1)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2009
  • Posts: 791
  • Location: Thorp
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #11 on: May 31, 2012, 04:46:23 AM »
I've been muzzleloading for 35 years.  The observation I've made after owning dozens of guns it that each is different.  You have to experiment with different bullets and different powder charges and types for each gun to find out what is going to work best.  I've had guns that won't group with 80 grains but will shoot tight with 100, same bullet.  These days I shoot a flintlock I built myself, it shoots 100 grains of 3f goex and a 220 grain patched round ball.  2 elk and multiple deer, never a lost animal, never more than one shot, so the old stuff still does it too.
And I think God must be a cowboy at heart
 He made wide open spaces from the start
 He made grass and trees and mountains and a horse to be a friend
 And trails to lead ol' cowboys home again

Chris Ledoux...

Offline longrangekiller

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Apr 2011
  • Posts: 711
  • Location: buckley wa.
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #12 on: June 14, 2012, 10:44:48 AM »
Power belts are cheap and can find em anywere and they performed good on my deer last year I dont see y u need exspencive bullets when u got 250 gr going down range
work hard but hunt harder

Offline one shot kill

  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Aug 2011
  • Posts: 184
  • Location: Kennewick
  • Groups: IBEW 77
Re: Bullet Type?
« Reply #13 on: June 14, 2012, 09:58:04 PM »
I cant get power belts to group out of my muzzy. I have had the best luck with 250 grain barnes spitfire tmz and 120 grains 777

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

Let’s see your best Washington buck by abhold87
[Today at 12:03:27 PM]


Springer Fishing Opportunity 3/29 & 3/30 by xXLojackXx
[Today at 11:47:13 AM]


Bearpaw Season - Spring 2024 by bearpaw
[Today at 11:45:41 AM]


Walked a cougar down by Rainier10
[Today at 11:17:49 AM]


SB 5444 signed by Inslee on 03/26 Takes Effect on 06/06/24 by hughjorgan
[Today at 09:03:26 AM]


Springer 2024 Columbia River by WSU
[Today at 08:31:10 AM]


Average by lhrbull
[Today at 07:31:56 AM]


CVA optima V2 LR tapped hole for front sight by Remdawg
[Today at 07:09:22 AM]


Which 12” boat trailer tires? by timberhunter
[Yesterday at 08:22:18 PM]


Lowest power 22 round? by JakeLand
[Yesterday at 08:06:13 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2024, SimplePortal