Muzzleloader Bullet Question

[PondPopper]

I started using Arrowhead bullets that you size to your barrel. They are stupid wicked.The last deer I shot you could stick your fist in the exit wound.

But who really needs fist size holes??

[Hogmauler]

I took a doe yesterday and left a hole a little smaller than a quarter. Dropped right there.

[Chase4556]

I shoot the Hornady 240gr .44cal XTP sabots in my CVA Wolf. 2 pellets of triple 7(100gr) and a triple 7 209 primer. Will put three in a nice cloverleaf at 100yds when shooting from a clean barrel. Furthest I’ve taken a deer was 175yds. Wouldn’t do it again as I was holding over her back and guessing my drop, it worked, but probably wouldn’t stretch it past 125-150 in the future. She ran 20yds and was done. I’ve killed a pile of deer overall with it, it’s all I hunted with on base when I was stationed in Georgia, as rifles were not allowed on the small base(but muzzleloaders were? It’s not the revolutionary war anymore. Wild.)

For reference. Buddy of mine took a spike and a doe this year with his Henry Big boy 44mag shooting handloads I worked up for him. He shot a spike with the 44mag 240gr XTP, which is moving a little quicker than it does out of the muzzleloader. He took a doe at about 75yds with the 44spl+P 180gr XTP load, moving quite a bit slower than the muzzleloader. In both animals it did its job just fine. Unless you are wanting to shoot long range(150+) there isn’t real reason to shoot the new fancy high BC bullets.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002234214?pid=539065

[ACbob]

Haven't shot ML in a few years, but I used Powerbelt at the time. 3 or 4 deer with no exit wounds. 90 and 100 gr. powder. I do have a whole bunch of 250 gr. Hornady XTP in .451 if you decide to go the sabot route

[Quackerbox]

250 grn SST took a mature deer yesterday. Didn't gooooo 20

[Bayouboy]

https://youtu.be/63ykZ4wSUQ4?si=d2JAS7eWkG4EmJgu

[twigflipper]

I use the sst and traditions carnivores in 250gr both are one inch at 100 yards

[Walker]

Powerbelts are the only bullets mentioned here that I've ever heard of. Doesn't anybody use lead anymore?

[marshman]

Why doesn’t it shoot well? From personal experience I don’t always shoot well! Lol! I have a friend that can hold quarter sometimes dime size groups. , I’ve seen his targets at 200yards. Absolutely insane.

yeh I hear ya about the not shooting well, I’m the same way lol. It’s not that it’s terrible I just feel like it could be better.

also I used to be able to shoot 2-3 powerbelts at the range before cleaning now I need to clean after each shot, otherwise I cannot get the bullet to completely seat.

[txheartshot]

I use the Hornady sabots with 2 pellets and a 209. Iv never shot a deer but have shot it several times and it's very accurate out to 100. Never shot past 100.

This is what I shoot and no complaints on accuracy.

[Hogmauler]

yeh I hear ya about the not shooting well, I’m the same way lol. It’s not that it’s terrible I just feel like it could be better.

also I used to be able to shoot 2-3 powerbelts at the range before cleaning now I need to clean after each shot, otherwise I cannot get the bullet to completely seat.

Wow. I got nothing. So you need a different powder or a newer batch?

[critter69]

Why are so many shooting sabots ? Or that type ( power belt). Do your self a favor and try No Excuses full bore bullets. Use that diameter and the weight to your advantage. If .50 cal hornady Great Plains are pretty good also. Marshman have you looked at the rifling, do you have rust or plastic build up ( sabot) in the barrel ?

[critter69]

But who really needs fist size holes??

Those that don’t want to call for a tracking dog.

[Static1968]

I shot a 120 pound Sow this past weekend with My CVA Wolf with a 250 Grain Power Belt Aerolite over 73 grains of Blackhorn at 60 yards with a complete pass through on both shoulders.
She only went 30 yards but if she would have gone further it would not have been a problem tracking. It was solid blood from where I shot her to where she laid. I also like the Hornady SST's but seem to get a flyer every now and then with the sabots. i get my best groups with the Aerolites. I also bought a pack of Thor bullets a few months ago and for the life of me I cannot find where I stashed them , so have not got to try them yet.

[red-fin]

Traditions .50 shooting 2 white hots and 305gn smackdowns. Dropped 2 nilgai cows in their tracks this weekend at Bahai Grande. They shoot good out to 175-200.