.54ball loads............

[Pioneer2]

I'm looking for any suggested RB loads for a .54 Renegade 1-48 for target work.Also warmer ones for hunting if it shoots.Are the lighter loads in a .54 too much for a 14 year old kid off the bench?He shoots a 20 ga and shot his first moose with a .30-30 last fall no problem.Ball size is another quandry.530 or .535? Then theres patches.A plinking load for 50yards for the kids would be great as I can't afford a smaller caliber barrel at this time.I have a GM 1-28 coming and may get a 1-70 GM down the road.Thanx Harold

[nchawkeye]

Try the .530s with .015 or .018 ticking...50-60 grains FFF or FF for targets and 80 for hunting...

Look at your patches after shooting...If they are burning through with the higher charges put a wad (or wasps nesting) between the powder and patched ball...

[cayugad]

I have four Renegades in .54 caliber. Everyone of them shoots a .530 ball best. I have a LEE .535 mold also. But I got tired of using a hammer to seat the ball.

I shoot 60 grains for target plinking, and when I hunt and want to get serious, then it is 90 grains of Goex 2f and a patched roundball. I think the recoil would be fine. Especially if the boy shoots a 20 gauge and a 30-30. He sounds like a blood and guts kind of kid who'd never tell you it hurt even if his arm was black and blue.

[Sharp Shooter]

I just turned 15 and I can handle 90gr FFG with a .530 ball and a .015 patch just fine.

[lemoyne]

Depends on your barrel I guess I have 3 54's right now and they all take a 535 ball and the thicker ticking and load like they should, I use 110 for hunting and long range target with the 1-48 and 120 rs in both 1-66 and the 1-80. Lee