Hunting & Fishing .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

[thejim2]

Just checking to see:

1. what .50 cal muzzle loader bullets people use and the results they get on game, specifically deer with them.

and

2. What powder charges people are using and the results. I have been using 100 grains of powder (50 grain pre-formed charges), but I recently got a magnum rated muzzle loader and was debating running magnum loads, but I've heard sometimes the magnum loads don't perform as well.

Thanks for any input.

 

[Niles Coyote]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

I have had good success with hornady 200 and 240 grain xtp's (.430") with 777 and now blackhorn 209, they seem to shoot there best around 100-120g.

 

[quickdraw17]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

I use the 200 gr. T/C shockwave sabots with 100 grains of pyrodex. It's a pretty accurate load for me and does a great job on whitetails. Over the last few years I've hit a buck and two doe with that load, none of them made it more than fifty yards before they dropped.

 

[Jared Aguilar]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

For Deer sized game I shoot a duplex Dead center 357 bullet(Two sabots) from Precision rifle bullets. Hi BC and extended range. Blackhorn powder. Don't be afraid to use loose powder and tailor a load as you would a precision rifle.
For elk I have had good results with hornady sst's (tipped xtp) and shockwaves.

 

[Guest]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

I've been shooting this load for several years and have had great success with it.

Hornady XTP 250
MMP high pressure sabot
44 grains SR4759
Federal 209

 

[jessepemberton]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

I shoot 250 grain traditions smackdown sst backed by 150 grains of jim shockeys gold FFFG powder. i shoot this out of a traditions pursuit accelerator and it drives tacs at 250 yards and drops whitetails dead in there tracks

 

[swampbuck]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

2 pellets of triple 7 behind a Honady XTP. Works well for me.

 

[Seuss]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

my accuracy is better w 100gr loads, I use two 777 pellets and Hornady SST 250gr or TC Shockwave 250gr loads in a TC Omega, have killed more than a dozen buck, very efficient combo.

 

[Ledgewood]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

Out of my .50 T/C Endeavor, I use 3 pellets of 777 behind a .44 cal, 300gr Dead Center in a .50 sabot. I get great accuracy, shoots flat, and they are very lethal. Best MZ bullets I've used yet.

I also have a T/C Encore .45 that I use .40 cal, 240 gr. Dead Centers over 3 pellets of 777. Get similar results as above.

The Dead Centers smash through bone, expand well, and stay together. Really hammers deer. Made by Precision Rifle.

 

[knockemdown]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Noodles</div><div class="ubbcode-body">I use the 200 gr. T/C shockwave sabots with 100 grains of pyrodex. </div></div>

I use the same, but pushed with two 50gr. 777 pills. Excellent deer meds and pretty flat shooting for a smokepole...

 

[pprochnow]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

I have great accuracy with TC shockwaves and 100 grains 777 out of an encore.
I hate the way 777 fouls the barrel with a rock hard crust, but it cleans up nice.
For hunting I use 110 grains and a cast lead bullet – maxi hunters with lube packed into the groves. The accuracy is good enough, follow up shots are quick lubed bullet/looser fit and this is legal to hunt in Colorado. It is a game of give and take… I hunt the thick stuff up close and personal so it works best for me.

 

[Ghogs Nightmare]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

Initially I was using the 240xtp's over 100grs of triple 7
pellets.
.
Now I go with the 250gr SST mz bullet without the peg on it. My shots are 100yds or less most the time so dont see the need for the extra pellet. It hits plenty hard an penetrates well as is.
.
This is out of an Encore PH an initially standard Encore.

 

[Tumbleweed77]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

TC Pro Hunter 28"
250 Shockwave sabot
3 50gr 777 pellets
200 lb sow
110lb (field dressed) Buck
Through and through on the Sow just behind shoulder.
Same on the Buck, but breaking off side front leg on the way out.
Admittedly I haven't spent any time with load development beyond this as it's minute of fist at ranges I can get a shot where I hunt.

 

[Longspring]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

TC Renegade .50 , 295 powerbelts over 90 gr Pyrodex . I've had fantastic performance on elk and mule deer . Powerbelts are easy to start , shoot great with controlled expansion and great retention .

 

[Greg Langelius *]

Re: .50 cal muzzle loader bullets and powder charges

Traditions Shennandoah Sidelock (30", 1:33" twist), T/C 295gr Power Belt, 85gr Pyrodex RS Select. Tight, tight groups at 125yd, very adeqate out to 100yd so far. I don't like long shots with a frontstuffer in case of sub-ideal POI.

This worked as well as needed until C/F rifles were allowed locally. Now I use a Ruger 77MKI .280 Rem, 139gr SST Superformance combination I call The Flat-Hammer.

Greg