Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: Bradyfc on August 30, 2011, 02:23:25 PM
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I'm no expert but i have a .54 cal muzzy and use 95 gr. of pyrodex powder but have used the pellets too. I went to powder as I was trying out so many different combos, so i bought a jar of it. I like the 295 or 300 grain sabotted bullets by barnes. It took me a while to find the right sabots as some did not fit in my muzzle correctly. I think 60gr with a 430 gr bullet is not enough. Go shoot and see. Good luck. Also get a peep site if you dont have one. they work really good.
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I would probably work up a load with Jim shocky gold powder or plain old pyrodex. I would also look at getting some power belt bullets. I have not used the components you are asking about. :twocents:
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I'm no expert but i have a .54 cal muzzy and use 95 gr. of pyrodex powder but have used the pellets too. I went to powder as I was trying out so many different combos, so i bought a jar of it. I like the 295 or 300 grain sabotted bullets by barnes. It took me a while to find the right sabots as some did not fit in my muzzle correctly. I think 60gr with a 430 gr bullet is not enough. Go shoot and see. Good luck. Also get a peep site if you dont have one. they work really good.
:yeah:
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theres a really good post on here with alot of info i believe its in the muzzy topic... i dont know how to add it to my post
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I got a 54 used for my son. And finding loads wasnt easy. Start low on powder. I think 120 grain is too much. We got good results around 90 grains.
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60 grains might be a bit light for a .54. 120 would be OK, but might not be your best accuracy. I use 95 to 100 grains of American Pioneer FFG with the 435 grain T/C Maxihunters and it's about right. My hawken is a 21" barreled carbine for ease of carry, but in blackpowder, barrel length has very little effect on velocity. Too much powder and the excess goes out the muzzle unburned. (Or in the case of a pellet, a flaming ball). Nice thing about the loose powders, you can tailor the load to the gun. For hunting I carry 4 or 5 speed loaders instead of a flask and loose projectiles. Makes reloading quick and easy. The pelletized powder is made more for the Inline guns. In a sidelock like the Hawkens the fire from the cap has to travel quite a ways to hit the pellet. When hunting, usually all you get is one shot, and I avoid anything that might cause a misfire.
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Being the lazy guy I am, I'd see how it shoots with 2 60 grain pellets (no way I'm hunting with a 1-pellet load). If that works, you can't get easier than that. If it doesn't you need to work up a load with loose powder or different bullets. Pellets sure are convenient.....
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120 grains is generally considered a maximum load in a 54 caliber sidelock rifle. 60 grains is fine for just target shooting but you'll normally want a little more "oomph" for a hunting load. Somewhere around 80 to 85 grains is plenty, but I've always used 95 to 110 grains in my 54. I have never tried pellts so can't help there. I did find this on Hodgdon's site:
The convenience of Pyrodex Pellets is also available for the 54 caliber in-line rifles. Coupled with a 54 caliber sabot and a 50 caliber bullet or with Power Belt bullets creates a powerful combination for really big game. Pyrodex 54 caliber pellets are not recommended for use with conical bullets with or without wads. Packed 100 pellets to the box.
For some reason they're recommending to NOT use concical bullets with the Pyrodex pellets. I'm not sure why, but generally pellets are not recommended for use in sidelock rifles at all.
Try some loose Triple 7, that's what I use.
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In my T/C cap lock, I use 85gr of regular old black powder, and a patched round ball. My rifle shoots this load very well at the 100yrd range. Like i said above, I know people that use pyrodex and powerbelts and get good results.
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most of my experience is with .50's but yeah have to agree with 100gr of a loose powder like triple 7.. and those bullets will do the job if you can place them.
