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Help choosing the right load
#5587377
02/07/15 05:10 AM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 121
NVC--
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 121 |
New to the muzzleloader world. I am getting geared up for a trip to Colorado for a cow elk hunt. Future hunts will include possibly mule deer buck.
Weapon: CVA Optima Caliber: 50 Powder: Triple 7 Bullet: Conical (????)
I am looking for help in choosing the right conical. The ML will be used primarily for Colorado ML season so sabots are not possible. I do not fully understand ballistic charts tgus making my choice more difficult.
My optimal shooting range will be 50-100 yards. I want to be able to reach 150 if possible and needed so I have been looking at what I think are flatter shooting Power Belts (Platinum and Aero Lite) i have also focused on the kinetic energy. 100 grains of Triple 7 will be packed but help finding the match is what I need.
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: NVC--]
#5587509
02/07/15 01:14 PM
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Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,057
fishhuntgolfgeek
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I've dropped two elk with platinum powerbelts. Accurate bullet, however, magnum loads will fracture the bullet on impact. I'm going to look at all copper bullets now. Not sure which brand as I'll need to test them on my muzzy. I liked the accuracy of the powerbelt but I didn't like the fact the bullet didn't mushroom and expand as it should have. I've read and heard other stories on powerbelt bullets fracturing. Some like them, others are really against them. The elk I killed with powerbelts had a good entry point but the bullet broke up and splintered through the animal. I've been told to decrease the load to 100gr loose powder to fix the problem, however, I want to shoot magnum loads for big game elk and 150 to 175 yd shots.
Live Free or Die...
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: NVC--]
#5587614
02/07/15 02:26 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,985
TonyinVA
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Posts: 1,985 |
New to the muzzleloader world. I am getting geared up for a trip to Colorado for a cow elk hunt. Future hunts will include possibly mule deer buck.
Weapon: CVA Optima Caliber: 50 Powder: Triple 7 Bullet: Conical (????)
I am looking for help in choosing the right conical. The ML will be used primarily for Colorado ML season so sabots are not possible. I do not fully understand ballistic charts tgus making my choice more difficult.
My optimal shooting range will be 50-100 yards. I want to be able to reach 150 if possible and needed so I have been looking at what I think are flatter shooting Power Belts (Platinum and Aero Lite) i have also focused on the kinetic energy. 100 grains of Triple 7 will be packed but help finding the match is what I need. What does your outfitter have to say about the bullets he has seen his clients use? That would be a good place to start. Note that the parent company of CVA is the same as PowerBelt. So CVA pushes PowerBelt bullets. I am not a fan of those and cannot recommend. Also might want to look at these..... they are not a sabot but have a construction similar to a Barnes bullet and come in 250 and 300 gr. Do a Googlle search and see the reviews. https://thorbullets.com/Home_Page.html
Last edited by TonyinVA; 02/07/15 02:32 PM.
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: NVC--]
#5587633
02/07/15 02:34 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,985
TonyinVA
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I found this on a Forum..it may be useful to you
"I only ask because I know in Colorado you have to use a muzzleloader 50 cal or bigger, no sabots, and loose powder. I personally don't like shooting anything with a patch so now you are down to Powerbelts, T/C maxi-ball/maxi-hunter, or a hornady FPB.
If you are shooting a T/C (you said a knight) I would stay away from the Powerbelts and the maxi-ball/hunter (not sure how these shoot in a knight) I have used three different T/c's and I can not get any of them to group how I like. The maxis I can have 6 in groups at 100 yds but the Powerbelts are all over the paper. I've had them shoot 6 in groups at 100, then I will clean my gun and the next group will be 24 inches. I've got a buddy who uses the Powerbelts in a Cva and really likes them. I might but they fly like a knuckle ball out of every TC I've shot.
I've actually spoke with TC several times about this and even with there own maxi product they don't recommend it for an inline. There comment was this bullet was designed for a more traditional ML and that rate of twist (if memory serves me correct a slower rate of twist). They can not explain the accuracy issues with the Powerbelts( even though I've asked repeatedly....they do not like this bullet at TC) only that many people call and ask about them and why they won't shoot. For a non sabot shooter they recommend the FPB by hornady and for the Sabot shooter either a Hornady SST or the TC shockwave.
Personally I have settled on the FPB in a 300 grain for 50 cal and can hold 1inch groups at a 100 yds with open sights (cant use a scope in Colorado either). I have now used this bullet on Colorado elk twice with neither elk going more than 20 yds. One was shot at 60 yds the other at 110 yds. I'll be using it again this fall for number 3. I've also used it on deer and have had all 4 drop in there tracks from ranges of 15 yds to 150 yds here in Ohio. Bottomline I like this bullet. Sabots I like better, but I don't like switching back and forth in between colorado seasons and Ohio seasons. Maybe one day if I own 2 at the same time ill have my Elk ML gun and my deer ML gun!!! "
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: NVC--]
#5588204
02/07/15 10:44 PM
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 121
NVC--
OP
Woodsman
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OP
Woodsman
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 121 |
Thanks for the info. I have read some of the reviews about Power Belt which prompted me to post here and seek help from others.
This will be a DIY hunt so no guide to ask. I will look into the different rounds mentioned thus far.
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: NVC--]
#5588261
02/07/15 11:52 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,985
TonyinVA
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Thanks for the info. I have read some of the reviews about Power Belt which prompted me to post here and seek help from others.
This will be a DIY hunt so no guide to ask. I will look into the different rounds mentioned thus far. Good luck. I am partial to Barnes Bullets you can guess which ones I'd try first...thorbullets in 300gr
Last edited by TonyinVA; 02/07/15 11:53 PM.
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: NVC--]
#5589024
02/08/15 05:31 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 3,963
jdickey
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I too am a Barnes Bullet believer. Shooting a 300gr BarnesXpress with 150gr Pyrodex pushing it, I knocked down my first bull elk at 154 yards. It had a classic "mushroom" effect as it went thru, but it did not exit.
The other bullet I'll shoot is a 275gr. Hornady sabot, but I still push it with 150gr. Pyrodex for deer and hogs.
I've shot both lose powder and pellets and tend to stay with the pellets for two reasons - wind and rain.!
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: jdickey]
#5589181
02/08/15 07:48 PM
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Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 1,985
TonyinVA
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I too am a Barnes Bullet believer. Shooting a 300gr BarnesXpress with 150gr Pyrodex pushing it, I knocked down my first bull elk at 154 yards. It had a classic "mushroom" effect as it went thru, but it did not exit.
The other bullet I'll shoot is a 275gr. Hornady sabot, but I still push it with 150gr. Pyrodex for deer and hogs.
I've shot both lose powder and pellets and tend to stay with the pellets for two reasons - wind and rain.! He's doing Colorado so no sabots allowed....hence his request for recommendations on a non sabot..not sure if you caught that in his question...just an FYI
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Re: Help choosing the right load
[Re: NVC--]
#5589668
02/09/15 01:23 AM
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Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 4,047
nuprofessor
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I would second the 300gr THOR solid copper bullet. I use them (250gr though) pushed by 100gr loose BLACKHORN 209 powder for deer and hogs. 300gr should do very well on elk. The THOR is sized 'bore specific'. Means you will need to get a sizing package from Terry at: http//www.thorbullets.com before you purchase. I live close (115 miles) to the guy who makes them so I got mine in about 2 days (both size kit then actual bullets).
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