Round-ball alternatives?

[SleazyRider]

I've been shooting patched round balls in my .50 caliber Thompson-Center Hawken for the past 30 years, with great success hunting. But after reading about the Minie ball used during the Civil War, it whetted my appetite for wanting to shoot something other than round balls out of my Hawken---especially a Minie.

What other choices have I for my .50 caliber rifle?

 

[rodwha]

The one thing that scares me (other than at the range) about using conicals such as the Minie is that they are under bore size so that they'll easily slide down the barrel. If not careful it can come off of the charge creating a dangerous situation.

And that is why I like the Lee REALs (Rifling Engraved At Loading), which is over sized and takes a little effort to start at first, but will sit tight once seated.

In my .50 cal Lyman's Deerstalker and using a felt wad they did fantastic at 50 yds with a 70 grn 3F charge of Olde E. I still haven't worked on my PRB load (or any other for that matter), but it certainly shows promise!

I'm uncertain also about rifling depth and the use of conicals such as the Minie...

 

[Patocazador]

Everyone with a 1:48 T/C barrel seems to have good results shooting the .50 cal. maxi-ball. They work great in my 1:48 T/C Hawken and also in my 1:28 Sile Hawken Hunter. They have knocked deer down for me with a shoulder shot.

 

[SleazyRider]

Exactly the kind of information I was looking for. Thanks, gentlemen!

 

[Zeke/PA]

For hunting, I really like the home cast .50 cal. 370 grain Maxi-Ball. I shoot 90 grains of FFG for best accuracy and I've taken about 15 deer with this combo. This bullet is a might tight in my rifle so I always use a short starter when loading.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Actually, although you should try both of the TC projectiles in a TC product, I always got better accuracy from the TC Maxi-hunter rather than the maxi-ball.

PLUS..., don't get enamored with the bigger must be better theory, when it comes to slugs. A .490 patched round ball will take deer no worries, and you can find Maxi-Hunters and Maxi-Balls for your .50 from 270 grains to 350 grains to 370 grains of lead. Other brands of conicals will go even larger. Unless you are going for dangerous really large game, you will be able to take elk with those slugs on the lower end. Heck the 350 grain Maxi-hunter is twice as much lead as your patched round ball, and the deer really won't know the difference. Your shoulder will.

LD

 

[Choctaw]

I totally understand wanting to experiment with different bullets and loads. However, if sure sounds like you have the correct hunting load for your rifle as it is.

 

[EljaySL]

re: minie balls sliding down the barrel - for accuracy they're only one or two thousandths of an inch smaller than the bore. You can thumb start them and they push down relatively easily (so does a patched round ball once you have it started) but they're not going anywhere on their own if they're properly sized. Remember also that they're covered in thick lube so they're easy to push down but it probably helps keep them in place as well.

That being said in that particular gun I don't see any real point. It was designed for patched round balls, and especially given the ability to tune the load more than with Minies it'll be more accurate. (With Minie balls you have a fairly narrow window where the base will flare but not rupture).

 

[Zeke/PA]

From rest, I shoot consistent clover leaf groups at 50 yards with my stated load. Most of my kills are 30 yards or less, from a tree stand. Mostly neck shots as I'm really confident of my rifle/ load combo.

 

[Noz]

My CVA 50 calm (1-48) will not shoot anything except the 270 gr Maxi hunter. It does that with great goodness.

 

[savagelover]

one thing is the rate of twist you have..Myself,I like the 1 in 60 or slower..Made just for round balls..Any other bullet fits the bore loose and if you carry with the muzzle down all the time,there is a change the bullet may slide of the charge..Causeing a dangerous air space condition....I would stick with the balls..