Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: pilebuck on December 27, 2014, 05:08:08 PM

Title: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on December 27, 2014, 05:08:08 PM: 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 :tup:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: huntnfmly on December 27, 2014, 05:17:37 PM: We shoot hornady 250 grain sst and 3f 777 out of our knight muzzloaders shoots great
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on December 27, 2014, 05:35:29 PM: 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 :tup:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: elkh8me on December 27, 2014, 06:58:15 PM: Hornady SST 300 grain with 120 grains of 777
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: Smokepole on December 28, 2014, 09:05:51 AM: 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. :twocents:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on December 28, 2014, 09:42:40 AM: 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 :tup:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: HUNTINCOUPLE on December 28, 2014, 09:46:26 AM: 777 powder works real good!
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on December 28, 2014, 09:51:53 AM: 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 ??
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: HntnFsh on December 28, 2014, 06:13:00 PM: RWS dynamit nobel caps. They should be pretty easy to find. Most places around here have them.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: Soady on December 28, 2014, 08:52:47 PM: 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.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: zwickeyman on December 28, 2014, 09:13:58 PM: 300 gr Scorpions from Harvester with their crushed ribbed sabots. Reasonably priced, the best sabot and expand consistantly
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: Soady on December 29, 2014, 07:47:25 PM: Quote from: Smokepole on December 28, 2014, 09:05:51 AM
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. :twocents:

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.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck60 on January 03, 2015, 07:30:09 PM: Most new sabots with 777 110 grains and musket caps work well but bullet placement is most critical. :hello: :hello:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: hirshey on January 03, 2015, 08:02:10 PM: 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.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: hirshey on January 03, 2015, 08:07:35 PM: (https://fbcdn-photos-c-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-xap1/v/t1.0-0/10888778_10103713451455418_8492001408512798464_n.jpg?efg=eyJpIjoidCJ9&oh=934c9f4cddf5fb16213daeb595a54b5d&oe=5524D60D&__gda__=1429731672_7cdafd1edded3a1102bda503681e9e01)

I also used that same bullet/powder to kill my moose this year. Great expansion and retention of mass. Been very happy with them.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: Utah on January 03, 2015, 09:22:04 PM: Looks like my son's out of his elk. Congrats on your success this season Hirshey!

Anyone have any pic's of recovered SST's???
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: James E on January 07, 2015, 03:56:27 PM: I have a Vortek. 110 grains of 777 and a 250 grain T/C Shockwave work well for me. Traditions recommends 100 grains of 777, with a 250 smack down.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on January 07, 2015, 04:46:44 PM: Wow that bullet did just what it was supposed to do I like it :tup: looks like my 180 gr I took my elk with this year at 300 yards I like to see a bullet do its job thanks for all the replies the elk was modern lol
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on January 07, 2015, 04:54:34 PM: James I just bought a traditions ultra light 50 I can't wait to shoot .....i used my friends this season I missed a 40 yard shot and another nice buck the cap went off but that's it my fault I didn't practice and found out the delay really messed me up I think :bash: but hey 2 chances r better than none :tup: this next season I will be wired tight thanx for all reply :tup: :tup:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: James E on January 08, 2015, 12:34:48 PM: Pilebuck, I have had quite a few smoke poles. Remington's - Knights etc. The Vortek is very accurate if it goes boom. There were some trigger issues a while back. I had to put a whole new assembly in mine. I haven't had any issues since.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: MountainDevil54 on January 08, 2015, 01:21:43 PM: 370gr Maxiball did great in both an LDR and a Strikerfire I tested them in. 80gr American Pioneer 2fg is what I used.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on January 08, 2015, 01:40:38 PM: James what was the trigger doing ?
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: MountainDevil54 on January 08, 2015, 01:44:26 PM: I think some of the early models had a weak spring in them.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on January 08, 2015, 01:52:36 PM: Ok mountain D I was hoping it wasn't recent I really like the ultra light it feels so good and the sights are sweet also.The 777 powder and the rws musket caps is what I am going to use the bullets well still haven't purchased any yet :tup:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: huntnphool on January 08, 2015, 02:02:14 PM: 100gr. Triple7 FFG, 295gr. Powerbelt at 98 yards.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: spikehunter on January 08, 2015, 04:11:32 PM: Great info :)
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: pilebuck on January 08, 2015, 07:55:29 PM: Awesome that bullet ripped up some tissue and did the deed :tup:
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: huntnphool on January 08, 2015, 10:06:16 PM: Quote from: pilebuck on January 08, 2015, 07:55:29 PM
Awesome that bullet ripped up some tissue and did the deed :tup:

Found it against the skin on the exit side, first time hunting with a muzzy and first time ever recovering a bullet of any kind in my kills.
Title: Re: muzzleloader bullets
Post by: James E on January 09, 2015, 08:18:54 AM: Yes, it was a spring issue. They came out with new nipples as well.