who uses 150 gr. of powder?

[wastickslinger]

I tried 150 in my Elkhorn and it was a bit inconsistant. I backed it down to 120 (I buy the 30 grain pellets). Much better. 

[BillyG]

I tried 130gr. with a 250gr  Barnes TMZ last weekend and it kicked like a horse. Tight at 100yards. If you ever try the TMZ's, you also need Barns alignment tool. Averaged 2100fps.

[D_Dubya]

I use 2 60 grain pellets and a 348 powerbelt in my elkhorn and the groups are very consistent - holes cutting each other at 50 yards.  Out to 100 yards, I can't see well enough or hold it steady enough to do that, but groups are still well within the requirements for making good shots.  I have killed whitetail at 80 yards with that setup and make spine breaking high shoulder shots.

[ML_Hunter]

I tried 130gr. with a 250gr  Barnes TMZ last weekend and it kicked like a horse. Tight at 100yards. If you ever try the TMZ's, you also need Barns alignment tool. Averaged 2100fps.

I have noticed that the recoil with the TMZ seams to be a little heavier!  I shoot the 290 grain bullet with 120 grains of lose powder.  How dose the bullet load for your rifle?  Its a pain in the butt for me to get the bullet down the bore of my Black Diamond.

[carpsniperg2]

they are a bit tighter i shoot the 290tmz as well threw my black diamond xr and elk horn. and they can be a bit of a pain in the butt to seat when the bore is a bit dirty. i shoot 125 grains of loose as well

[teanawayslayer]

fouling is horrible if you only like to take one shot. It's fine

[DeerThug]

I use 120 grains.


When I was a kid I was taught the way to find the right amount of powder is to shoot after dark. As long as the flames and sparks are small and go straight out, then all or most of the powder is burning in the barrel where you want it to.  As you increase the powder the flames and sparks will start to fan out and go in a greater angle from the end of the barrel, indicating that some of the powder is burning after it leaves the barrel and does nothing for the energy of the shot.

Of course when I was a kid -safety was not in the picture, so if you try this shoot in a safe direction ---

Shoot straight - shoot often.

[carpsniperg2]

that is very true as well, have tested my guns that way as well i shoot 125grains

[Dan-o]

I shoot 150 grains, but am curious:

What is the velocity difference when you drop down to 100 grains?

I know there's no absolute answer (depends on other variables) but are we talking 100 fps or 500 fps or?

[carpsniperg2]

on any muzzle loader i would say the diffrence would be 100-300 feet max with a 50 grain drop but would have to look at the cards that come with bullets and see for sure.

[huntnnw]

most of these loads are not burning not in this state with percussion or musket caps, they are just blowing alot of unburnt powder out. Easy way to know the max powder is to come down in grains until you see the bullet begining to shoot lower. I shoot 90 gr of triple 7, its plenty. Most also dont know the big difference in velocity between triple 7, pryrodex and goex, its big. Another  is the all lead guys still, faster is not better when it comes to lead, you can over push the bullet and have pancake on impact or fragment, then kiss the animal good bye.

[Dan-o]

Thanks.   Sounds like I wouldn't be missing anything if I backed down to 100 grains.

Appreciate the input.

[50CalJim]

This year I'm going to be shooting the all lead 385 Hornadys for my Elk hunt so I've been experimenting with different loads. Started out with 140 gr of triple 7 & there was way to much unspent powder left over in the barrel plus my Bullets were flying everywhere. Finally I've settled on 100 gr of powder & my accuracy is great & I'm not wasting any powder.It seems like every Muzzleloader has a preference for what it likes you just gotta spend some time experimenting until you figure it out ,More is not always better with a Muzzleloader.

[carpsniperg2]

yes that is they key like with modern rifles find the load that works best. and to do so you have got to experiment

[Bulldog]

150grs of powder in a frontstuffer is a waste of good powder and recoils like a mo-fo.    110grs 777 tops for me...