Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: lilredhead on May 30, 2012, 05:05:33 AM

Title: Bullet Type?
Post by: lilredhead on May 30, 2012, 05:05:33 AM: This will be my first year muzzle loading elk in western Wa. I am an avid reloader and wanted some advice and opinions on a good penetrating bullet. I have a 1:28 twist Traditions Vortex. Thank you
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: C-Money on May 30, 2012, 06:27:35 AM: I think finding a bullet your muzzleloader shoots accurately is more important. I like Powerbelts, and I would look at the offerings from Nosler.

You can have the coolest bullet on the market. If your rifle wont group it, it ends up not being so cool.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: CP on May 30, 2012, 06:46:25 AM: I shoot a .50 cal Knight with a 1:28 twist and it likes:

Sierra Sports Master Bullets 44 Caliber (429 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Soft Point
And
Hornady XTP Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Both offer good sectional density (needed for penetration) and great accuracy.

I’m not a fan of bore sized projectiles like powerbelts, a good sabotted bullet out performs them.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: whacker1 on May 30, 2012, 06:48:20 AM: barnes expander is another good one
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: ing on May 30, 2012, 08:23:17 AM: Quote from: CP on May 30, 2012, 06:46:25 AM
I shoot a .50 cal Knight with a 1:28 twist and it likes:

Sierra Sports Master Bullets 44 Caliber (429 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Soft Point
And
Hornady XTP Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 300 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point

Both offer good sectional density (needed for penetration) and great accuracy.

I’m not a fan of bore sized projectiles like powerbelts, a good sabotted bullet out performs them.
I've killed one deer and two elk with the 300gr 44 cal XTP's. They work great within 100 yards but don't seem to penetrate enuf at longer distances. I'm going to try the LBT style heat treated solids from Cast Performance this year. 44 cal 300 and 320gr.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: Pathfinder101 on May 30, 2012, 09:32:21 AM: Nothing to add, just wanted to chime in so I can follow the thread.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: arrowflinger on May 30, 2012, 09:55:00 AM: Quote from: whacker1 on May 30, 2012, 06:48:20 AM
barnes expander is another good one

:yeah:
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: Sabotloader on May 30, 2012, 10:27:55 AM: Quote from: lilredhead on May 30, 2012, 05:05:33 AM
This will be my first year muzzle loading elk in western Wa. I am an avid reloader and wanted some advice and opinions on a good penetrating bullet. I have a 1:28 twist Traditions Vortex. Thank you

Might look through this thread - see it migh give you any ideals...

http://hunting-washington.com/smf/index.php?topic=77194.0

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2Fsabotloader%2FLehighPenetration-Jell.jpg&hash=849cbff86137ddec9f386d4e45c089461c2862c6)
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: floatinghat on May 30, 2012, 07:39:57 PM: I am in a similar situation as you first time muzzy and I'll add first time elk hunter. I bought some Harvester 260g Scorpions to try with the Harvester Crush Rib sabot. Don't know how they shoot yet however I assume I am going to be trying a number of different loads. I am also going to try the Speer Sabotloader has recommend I just have not ordered them yet. First thing will be finding the time to get it on paper, then take the time to find a good load. I will be shooting a Knight DISC and will also be ordering the Western Kit.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: lilredhead on May 30, 2012, 10:12:24 PM: Had a knight years ago and tried those LBT lead cast bullets and couldn't get them to group. Sold the rifle without ever hunting with it. I am a fan of the solids and thats what I shoot out of my .45-70. Thinking maybe the route of the laser cast, if they don't work out, they will be used in the .44mag. I've heard alot of pros and cons on the Barned bullets. With those calibers .44 and up I am not looking for much expansion. Hoping to draw that Margaret this year but been doing that for 15 years...just might finally get lucky. Thanks for all the thoughts and opinions. Will be doing more research and testing at the range.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: lilredhead on May 30, 2012, 10:21:33 PM: Sabotloader-
Thanks for the thread, great info. It will surely get me going in the right direction.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: RG on May 31, 2012, 04:46:23 AM: I've been muzzleloading for 35 years. The observation I've made after owning dozens of guns it that each is different. You have to experiment with different bullets and different powder charges and types for each gun to find out what is going to work best. I've had guns that won't group with 80 grains but will shoot tight with 100, same bullet. These days I shoot a flintlock I built myself, it shoots 100 grains of 3f goex and a 220 grain patched round ball. 2 elk and multiple deer, never a lost animal, never more than one shot, so the old stuff still does it too.
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: longrangekiller on June 14, 2012, 10:44:48 AM: Power belts are cheap and can find em anywere and they performed good on my deer last year I dont see y u need exspencive bullets when u got 250 gr going down range
Title: Re: Bullet Type?
Post by: one shot kill on June 14, 2012, 09:58:04 PM: I cant get power belts to group out of my muzzy. I have had the best luck with 250 grain barnes spitfire tmz and 120 grains 777