What's your speed?????

[duckmen1]

So it got me thinking. I've been doing a lot on the cronigraff and seeing different speeds with different loads out of my center fire rifles. But I've never checked the speed of my muzzy. What speeds are you getting out of your loads and what loads are you using to get those speeds. Gonna bring my muzzys out next trip to range and see what I'm getting in comparison.
Dad checked his speed and was only getting 1390 fps at muzzle with a 320 gr maxi ball with 100 gr of pyrodex powder loose. Seemed really slow to me.

[whackmaster]

if you want slow my bow is around 285 fps 

[duckmen1]

My bow is slower. and bow is totally different in taking an animal down.
It just got me thinking I saw an elk shot with that load and i feel it was not as good as knockdown power as it could be. The shot was perfect but it just didn't do much damage and took quite a while for the elk to expire. Even after a secondary shot. Fantastic hunt and good eats but got me thinking about velocities and such.

[dreamunelk]

My bow is slower. and bow is totally different in taking an animal down.
It just got me thinking I saw an elk shot with that load and i feel it was not as good as knockdown power as it could be. The shot was perfect but it just didn't do much damage and took quite a while for the elk to expire. Even after a secondary shot. Fantastic hunt and good eats but got me thinking about velocities and such.

It is no always about speed.  Could also be bullet performance.  To me most muzzy bullets passing though vitals are going to leave a good sized hole. Also elk and deer can be incredibly tough.  I have see a lot of deer and elk hit with a good shot that go way farther then they should have. Even when the bullet performed well.  Autonomic (sp?) system it really impressive. 
I have to admit I don't know much about speeds of muzzleloaders.  Seen several elk shot with them and they all went down in what I consider a reasonable time based on the shot.

[Smokepole]

I recently chrono'd my 50 cal. CVA Optima.  Here's what I got:

.452 diameter 300 gr. Hornady XTP bullet
Harvester sabot
100 grains pyrodex powder
RWS 1081 musket caps


4 shots averaged approximately 1450 ft/second

I've been using 100 grains just out of convenience.  I hunt with two 50 grain pyrodex pellets.  I plan to chrono this gun again soon and see if I can work up higher velocities and better accuracy shooting off the bench.  I have had no problem with stopping power from this bullet, but I'd like to extend my range if I can.   

[fastdam]

If you want more speed just use more powder. Most modern muzzleloaders can handle 150 grains easy

[Sabotloader]

So it got me thinking. I've been doing a lot on the cronigraff and seeing different speeds with different loads out of my center fire rifles. But I've never checked the speed of my muzzy. What speeds are you getting out of your loads and what loads are you using to get those speeds. Gonna bring my muzzys out next trip to range and see what I'm getting in comparison.
Dad checked his speed and was only getting 1390 fps at muzzle with a 320 gr maxi ball with 100 gr of pyrodex powder loose. Seemed really slow to me.

This might give you some more information.  These are a small collection of charts







This is the one I use most often for hunting elk

[mtman]

325 grain Hornady
84 grains by weight of Triple 7 3f
1750 fps

[elkboy]

I'm ashamed to admit this, especially with Sabotloader in the virtual room, but I've never run shots through a chronograph.  I have always just focused on achieving a load that gives me good accuracy on the range.  I expect I should do at least annual measurements with the chrono to see if there's any trend over time. 

[Sabotloader]

I'm ashamed to admit this, especially with Sabotloader in the virtual room, but I've never run shots through a chronograph.  I have always just focused on achieving a load that gives me good accuracy on the range.  I expect I should do at least annual measurements with the chrono to see if there's any trend over time.

Heck if it does the job that is really all you need to know... isn't it.  The only reason I have chrono'ed stuff is because somebody has asked 'what is it doing?'

Your other thought... accuracy -> I guarantee you I am not shooting the most accurate bullet or the most accurate load out there.  I am shooting the bullet that works best for me at the energy level I want it to shoot and the bullet and the load will get me the 'hunting accuracy' that I want and need..  If I were to shoot targets for money there would be several changes.

[usmc74]

Knight Bighorn
300 gr SST
RWS musket

110 gr T7, 2F  was about 1825
110 gr T7, 3F  was about 1950