.429 or .452 Muzzleloader bullet?

In the 50 cal I used 285 gr buffalo bullet hollow base hollow point. I'm not sure if they are even still made. For my 58 cal I like mini ball, but haven't been able to get any, so I shoot Speer 570 round ball paper patched

If you have a 45 70 you might try some of those might give better results.

I use the 300 grain 45 caliber XTP. Haven’t lost a deer yet, always had a big exit hole. Of course, I’m driving them at about 2200 fps from a smokeless Savage so that’s not surprising. It’s a pistol bullet so you should probably get similar performance if it’s traveling a little slower.

.452 300 gr XTP (not the XTP/MAG version) works great in more traditional muzzle loaders at lower velocities.


.452 300 gr XTP in a 58-caliber sabot from my old T/C Big-boar at ~1400 fps

I have always thought that using the largest diameter bullet as possible in the sabot keeps the sabot thinner and in theory might result in better accuracy due to less squishy plastic between bullet and bore. That is purely conjecture and I have little evidence to support that theory other than anecdotal.

mcb said:

.452 300 gr XTP (not the XTP/MAG version) works great in more traditional muzzle loaders at lower velocities.

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.452 300 gr XTP in a 58-caliber sabot from my old T/C Big-boar at ~1400 fps

I have always thought that using the largest diameter bullet as possible in the sabot keeps the sabot thinner and in theory might result in better accuracy due to less squishy plastic between bullet and bore. That is purely conjecture and I have little evidence to support that theory other than anecdotal.

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I can never find anything for 58 cal local to me.

stillquietvoice said:

I can never find anything for 58 cal local to me.

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Me either I order the sabots direct from MMP and go get a box of XTP's from Academy or Cabelas.

I have two CVA Wolf 50's. With .429 bullets, 240 XTP"s and several others, both shoot 3 to 4 MOA at best. I switched to .452 250gr XTP's, with the correct sabot's, and they shoot 1 - 1 1/2 MOA. I have taken several deer with them and the have performed very well.

When I purchased an inline it came with 2 opened boxes of 300gr xtp bullets and 2 bags of sabots, I've used that combo in all my inlines but I feel like the mini from a Lee mold shoots better at anything over 75yrds. I tried a box of 250gr and they shot well also. All mine has been 45cal, Midway sells the sabots

The 240 gr .430 XTP bullets I used in my muzzleloader killed deer.....after a long run across the property.

I started using .429 Partitions and had much quicker results.

.452 were more accurate for me.
I like the 300xtp over 110gr 777.
I tried BH and had uneven ignition even with a modified breach plug. I know some people love it. So it must work well in some guns.

ohihunter2014 said:

How do you guys feel about a 225/250gr FTX bullet?

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I'm sure it will kill. It's really more about what shoots best in your rifle.
Your comment about your guns choice between 777 and BH is why I try everything in each gun. You never know what will happen.

Both my CVA Wolf and my Cabela's/Investarms hunter carbine (1:23 twist) do well with the 385 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet and it kills quite dead.

ohihunter2014 said:

Several guys I know who use nothing but muzzle-loaders say they have lost deer to lack of blood trails with the 44cal XTP possibly being pushed to hard by the muzzle-loader.

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There's an easy solution to that.
Don't push them too hard.

I don't shoot them any more (because I found a more accurate bullet in my gun) but when I did shoot them, they performed just fine on deer.
I used 80 grains of loose Pyrodex. I still do, just with a 295 grain Powerbelt now.
That is a reasonable load that doesn't push the bullet so fast it blows up.

Too many people think they need to use three 50 grain pellets because they see the guys on TV do it. While it may be ideal for some situations, most whitetail hunters would be much better served with a more reasonable load.
I have killed a doe at 175 yards with 80 grains of loose powder.

ohihunter2014 said:

Whats your favorite muzzleloader bullet?

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224 grain, all lead, .530 diameter, patched round ball, pushed by 70 grains of 3Fg from a 38" Colerain barrel. 1:56 twist, round bottom rifling, so it's not going to use conicals


Out to 110 yards, it goes through the deer, broadside.



I'd suggest you look for something that makes a big hole and is accurate. IF it's coming apart, slow it down a bit....or go to all lead if you can.....

I've never understood why folks who would tell you they'd be confident out to 200 yards with a 400 grain, hard led bullet launched by 70 grains of Black Powder, aka the .45-70 Government cartridge..., who then want to push a lighter projectile with 150 grains of powder and have a max range also of 200 yards.... as though the deer would know it was any "deader"....

LD

Most .44 magnum bullets are built to expand properly at fairly high velocities as is the .45 cal. 300 gr. XTP. The only problem I've run into was using the Hornady .452 250 gr. XTP-HP in an inline at 2000+ fps. That bullet is designed for handgun velocities in a single-action revolver at lower velocities. They will fragment at high velocities with hits on thick bones.

You have to be careful what particular bullets you're using. If they're designed for the .44Mag, they're probably not gonna do so well at 2000fps or more. If they're designed for the .454 or .460, you're right in their operating range. For instance, I've had the standard (non-mag) 300gr XTP separate at 1200fps. I don't care for XTP's at all. In the .44Mag, I'd use something like the 270gr or 300gr Speer, Swift A-frame, etc.. In the .45, you have more options due to the popularity of the .454 and .460 cartridges.

Used the 240 grain .430 bullet on deer and hogs for years. Powder charge was 100 grains of loose Pyrodex or two Pyrodex pellets. The bullet worked very well for me.

525 gr minnie ball next to a 570 round ball with a 454 round ball for size comparison.

I use 75 gr 2f or 3f black powder behind them.

Hornady used to sell a .430, 265 grain soft point Interlock bullet intended for the .444 Marlin. That is a great muzzleloader bullet; a friend uses it on hogs, deer and elk. It's a fine performer. Hornady replaced that bullet with a 265 grain FTX.

I’m shooting an old CVA .50 kit. It likes traditional .49 patched round balls pushed with 80 grains of pyrodex. I’ve tried conicals and more powder with the balls but my groups start to spread.

stillquietvoice said:

View attachment 878257

525 gr minnie ball next to a 570 round ball with a 454 round ball for size comparison.

I use 75 gr 2f or 3f black powder behind them.

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LoL you run a little light on the powder. My brother runs 120fffg with a .570 prb in his Great plains rifle.
It shoots pretty flat to 120 yards.

I had shoulder surgery. I fired 100 gr charge Sunday and it was a little uncomfortable. Not painful, but I felt it. The process is slow in fact it's been years, but still plugging away.

stillquietvoice said:

I had shoulder surgery. I fired 100 gr charge Sunday and it was a little uncomfortable. Not painful, but I felt it. The process is slow in fact it's been years, but still plugging away.

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Very legit reason.
60-70 grains does make a soft shooting load.