muzzleloader bullets

[pilebuck]

Hi I am new to muzzle loading I have a new traditions vortex ultra light 50cal mag.What are suggestions for bullets like brand and weight for deer and elk? Also what powders are the best 777 or other brands all help is helpful thank you all 

[huntnfmly]

We shoot hornady 250 grain sst and 3f 777 out of our knight muzzloaders shoots great

[pilebuck]

Ok thanx for the reply I will take it all in can't wait to shoot it I hunted this year BP and missed two deer one the cap fired and the other a clean miss but had two chances so I now have time with my own gun and get all bugs worked out before next season 

[elkh8me]

Hornady SST 300 grain with 120 grains of 777

[Smokepole]

Howdy Pilebuck.  It sounds like you are already having fun with muzzleloading.  For hunting bullets I use Hornady 300gr XTP.  They are 45 caliber .452, used with hunter plastic crush rib sabots.  I get real consistent results with this combo, so I've always stuck with it.  It costs me 58 cents per round for the bullet & sabot combo at Cabelas.

I also make a lot of Lee R.E.A.L. bullets at home using salvaged lead.  I use them for off-season practice and the only investment is the mold & lead casting tools.  Fun to shoot my own bullets, but I switch to XTP's when hunting season gets close.   

[pilebuck]

Thank you smokepole I am seeing alot of different bullets people are using.The mold idea is a great one sounds fun that's what I am looking for something that shoots consistent can't wait to get out and shoot my new gun and get all ready for next season thank you all 

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

777 powder works real good!

[pilebuck]

Yes I have heard but u have to use less friend told me about these caps from Germany are the best but hard to get ??

[HntnFsh]

RWS dynamit nobel caps. They should be pretty easy to find. Most places around here have them.

[Soady]

Yes, less if you are using an older muzzleloader rifle as most old school rifles can not handle the higher pressures and are better suited to traditional BP.   Most modern manufactured  ones are fine and can handle pressures per the manufacture specs.  As far as the caps they are not that hard to find as stated, HntnFsh.

[zwickeyman]

300 gr Scorpions from Harvester with their crushed ribbed sabots. Reasonably priced, the best sabot and expand consistantly

[Soady]

Howdy Pilebuck.  It sounds like you are already having fun with muzzleloading.  For hunting bullets I use Hornady 300gr XTP.  They are 45 caliber .452, used with hunter plastic crush rib sabots.  I get real consistent results with this combo, so I've always stuck with it.  It costs me 58 cents per round for the bullet & sabot combo at Cabelas.

I also make a lot of Lee R.E.A.L. bullets at home using salvaged lead.  I use them for off-season practice and the only investment is the mold & lead casting tools.  Fun to shoot my own bullets, but I switch to XTP's when hunting season gets close.   

I agree the 300 grain Hornady XTP bullets do perform and are very consistent in all aspects. I tuned four different muzzleloading rifles two years ago using these bullets, the powder used was 777 ff and fff at 80 grains and 85 grains. To this day they are still using the same powder and bullet loads as they get the job done.

[pilebuck60]

Most new sabots with 777 110 grains and musket caps work well but bullet placement is most critical.

[hirshey]

One vote for Barnes 295 grain spitfire T-EZ with 110 grains of pyrodex select pushing it. Works with my family's .50 cal knight and Thompson center Muzzleloaders. We use that for both deer and elk with great success.

[hirshey]

I also used that same bullet/powder to kill my moose this year. Great expansion and retention of mass. Been very happy with them.