Light Load / Quiet Load

[floatinghat]

I am interested in a light load for deer.  I have been offered access to a new piece of private property, the owner tells me it holds some nice bucks and I know the area does.  The catch is too not make enough noise to disturb/alert his neighbors (opposite of another private access where my guy wants to piss off the neighbors).  My caliber choices are .45, .50, .52 and .54.  The max shot due to the dense cover would be 40-45 yds (archery range).  I was thinking heavy conical (400-500g) in the .52 or .54 with about 50gr or 60g of fff 7t?  His closest neighbor is about 3-400 ft behind the hunting direction.  Using my bow is out as he doesn't want to risk an animal leaving his property which is about 12 acres.

I am not going to loose my mind on this access but it would be nice as it's <5min from me casa.

[bobcat]

I'd go with a light bullet, something like a 240 grain Hornady XTP in the 50 caliber. 50 to 60 grains of powder should be plenty for a 50 yard shot.

[Soady]

 
I too hunt some private land for deer as well and keep the shot load light. This year the deer I took was taken with a neck shot to the white patch on the neck at 40 yards offhand. DRT

[floatinghat]

Thanks, I will try some lighter loads and see if we think sound is within reason.

[huntingfool7]

tagging along to hear (pun intended) your results. 

[Dhoey07]

Would you consider archery?  Nothing really more quiet

[Squidward]

I hunt with a 50 TC Hawkins, use a 370g Maxi ball, 80gr FFF Black powder. However, I shoot with friends once a month from January - Aug. at the shoots we shoot all but one shot under 100M. For the shots under 100M I use 50g FFF Black powder and hit where I want-ish  with enough to kill a deer easy.
we shoot anything from chicken eggs at about 20yrds out to golf ball at 100M. go out and shoot, try out different loads. Good Luck! Squid

[Harleysboss]

Not sure you are going to find a "quiet load" even 60grns of 777 is going to sound off. I agree with your thinking of big soft lead and a high shoulder shot. The deer should not make it out of your sight let alone off the property. There is a fella on another muzzleloading forum that has been shooting his Knight 52 with a big soft HP conical that he pours himself. The pictures of his results have been impressive.

[floatinghat]

Would you consider archery?  Nothing really more quiet

Owner won't allow he is too worried about a buck crossing to another property.

[huntingfool7]

Would you consider archery?  Nothing really more quiet

Owner won't allow he is too worried about a buck crossing to another property.

Have you thought about going modern firearm and silencer/subsonic ammo?  I think I could come up with a subsonic round ball and a shotgun metro barrel that would work in this application.

[Dhoey07]

Would you consider archery?  Nothing really more quiet

Owner won't allow he is too worried about a buck crossing to another property.

Fair enough.  Good luck 

[floatinghat]

Would you consider archery?  Nothing really more quiet

Owner won't allow he is too worried about a buck crossing to another property.

Have you thought about going modern firearm and silencer/subsonic ammo?  I think I could come up with a subsonic round ball and a shotgun metro barrel that would work in this application.

HMMM no I had not thought of the subsonic shotgun round but my basic premise was similar in nature.  But that might just be something to play with.

The modern wouldn't work firearms restricted area.

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Started my daughter with a PR Bullet Double Duplex. It's a double sabot that necks down from a .50 to a .357. Had her shooting a 175 grain bullet with 70 grains 2f powder. To me it felt like almost no recoil. Fairly quiet compared to everything else I shoot. She has taken 3 mule deer with this load at ranges up to 150 yards.

[Stein]

Shoot the deer then set off a bunch of fireworks.  Any legal firearm is going to make a bunch of noise.