Hello all,
I have a Gonic 50 caliber rifle I’ve not fired in over 20 years. I dug it out the other day, cleaning it up, and going to play with it some.
I have a couple of questions.
Years ago I had friends suggest using Musket caps for hotter (better?) ignition. Is there any merit to their suggestion?
Way back when I used Gonic branded sabots with Hornady 300 grain XTP bullets with great accuracy and effect. I do have a small stash of those sabots but if I shoot very much my supply will be depleted. I understand the Gonic bore is .500, therefore a bit tighter than most other muzzleloader. I have in the last several years begun casting my own bullets for center fire rifles and handguns. The thought has crossed my mind to cast for this rifle. What diameter would be suggested for a rifle with a .500 bore? And is there a particular style recommended for accuracy and hunting?
Thanks in advance for your help and suggestions.
Rick

Precision Rifle still sells the Gonic sabots and No Excuses sells conicals sized for Gonics. Ive been told the conicals need to be sized to .499-.500 for Gonics. Dave at No Excuses should know for sure.
https://www.muzzleloading-bullets.com/contact-us/

Look up some of the molds at Accurate Molds. Choose one around .502-.504 and get a Custom Lee Lube Sizer. They offer a few White Rifle copies that should be great when sized.
http://www.accuratemolds.com/catalog.php?page=20

musket caps offer the big advantage of being a lot easier to handle in cold weather and on the plus side also if you get the good musket caps not the reenactor caps they are usually hotter then most #11 or at east put out a greater volume of flame.
Check Gunbroker there's a guy who pours conical bullets for Gonics, just do a search for Gonic bullets and he should come up.

Thanks to both of you for the help! Tom at Accuratemolds is my go-to guy! Since the sabots are available I can try the 270 grain bullet I cast for my 444 in them.
Thanks again,
Rick