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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 113
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 113 |
Just getting into muzzleloading and have a quick question. The manual for my muzzleloader states gives a max load of 105 grains of FFF and 110 of FF for round balls. There is a note at the bottom stating that the max load is the same for conical bullets.
I bought some saboted bullets and was wondering if it is safe to use the same amount of powder they list for both conical and round balls. Is the max load the same for all projectiles in a given gun?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,251
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,251 |
sounds like my traditions. Never start off with a max load as your rifles sweet spot may be in the lower 80-90 range.
I always start out with 70gr in a new rifle.
What rifle are you shooting?
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Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 113
Campfire Member
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OP
Campfire Member
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 113 |
I'm away from home right now, but if I remember it's a tradition's woodsman. I'll start out with 70 grains, but is it safe to work up to the same max with sabots as I can with round balls?
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Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,251
Campfire Tracker
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Campfire Tracker
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,251 |
the woodsman hawken i believe has a 1:48 twist, its more suited for patched round balls or conicals.
when switching to sabots/conicals its a good idea to stay 10-15% below max load.
I'll take a load that offers the best accuracy over FPS.
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,212 Likes: 22
Campfire Kahuna
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Campfire Kahuna
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 56,212 Likes: 22 |
Wisam, shooting max loads is not the objective, accuracy is. Any load you put in your frontstuffer from around 70 grains on up will put meat on the table, assuming it's .50 cal or larger. Less will do for smaller bores. You recall what black powder cartridge guns did to the buffalo, right?
I am..........disturbed.
Concerning the difference between man and the jackass: some observers hold that there isn't any. But this wrongs the jackass. -Twain
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Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 360
Campfire Member
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Campfire Member
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 360 |
I believe BP rifle manufacturers giving a max powder charge their rifles can be safely shot is totally irresponsible. A 200gr bullet being shot with 150gr Pyro will produce much, MUCH less pressure than the same charge with a 250gr bullet. There are those who shoot 400+gr bullets out of the .50 ML's. It could be suicide to use a 150gr charge under a very heavy bullet in some of these ML's.
The heavier the bullet, the less powder should be used. This is true also with CF of the same caliber/cartridge. It is simply common sense considering the pressures involved. Any CF reloading manual gives specific loads for light - heavy bullets. Where is such a thing for ML's?? A max load should have included the weight of the bullet, and I see that nowhere in any ML manual.
We should change our politicians like we change dirty diapers.... and for the same reason.
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Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,788
Campfire Regular
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Campfire Regular
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,788 |
The manual that came with my Investarms Hawken lists different powder charges for different weights of projectiles. Basically, what you said - the heavier the bullet, the lighter the powder charge. 100gr with a patched round ball - 80 with a 385 gr conical. That said, I usually use a 240 - 250gr saboted XTP with 100 gr. T7. Drop to 85 with a 385 gr. Great Plains. I think the all lead Great Plains does not perform as well when pushed harder. The jacketed bullets can be pushed harder.
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