250g Barnes TMZ WOW!!!!

[gpscoqn]

I am new to muzzle-loading an have a 50 cal Encore using 2 prodex pellets and 250g Barnes TMZ.

Just shot 2 deer that were 3/4 away in the lungs and both dropped in their tracks. not even one step. they were about 40 yards away from me when I shot. I could see the blood pumping out the entry hole. Both expired with in 20 seconds.

Is this the norm with muzzleloaders?

Was it the bullet? the Gun?

All I can say is WOW!!!!!

[cayugad]

You picked a great bullet with a lot of penetration and energy. When placed in the right place, I am not really surprised at your results. Makes you laugh when people doubt the lethal capabilities of muzzleloaders. Especially with results like you had. Congratulations on the deer. It sounds like you have a great shooting rifle and a good load...

[sjsfire]

I've became a believer in Barnes. I use both the 245 and 300 gr Expander MZ's. I shot a button buck in Southern Illinois opening morning with a 300 grain/Crushed Rib sabot, 2 Pyrodex pellets, and the results were awesome. When I field dressed the heart, lungs, everything was absolutly like jelly. For shooting off season I'll play around with XTP's and Saber Tooths but for hunting it will always be the Barnes for me. Congrats on your two deer.

[AZBear]

Good gun, good bullet and good shot placement= your results...it happens a lot. Congrats on the the two deer.

[wabi]

Congrats!!!!!
I'd stick with that combination if it works that well. I've used XTPs & Barnes Expander MZswith good results. Really prefer the Barnes, but my present inline doesn't like them as well as the XTPs. [&:]

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: sjsfire

I've became a believer in Barnes. I use both the 245 and 300 gr Expander MZ's. I shot a button buck in Southern Illinois opening morning with a 300 grain/Crushed Rib sabot, 2 Pyrodex pellets, and the results were awesome. When I field dressed the heart, lungs, everything was absolutly like jelly. For shooting off season I'll play around with XTP's and Saber Tooths but for hunting it will always be the Barnes for me. Congrats on your two deer.

I thought the Expanders were boat tail and therefore Crushed Rib would not work in them. Or it that the TMZ that are boat tail and require their own special sabot? Chap Gleason

[gleason.chapman]

ORIGINAL: gpscoqn

I am new to muzzle-loading an have a 50 cal Encore using 2 prodex pellets and 250g Barnes TMZ.

Just shot 2 deer that were 3/4 away in the lungs and both dropped in their tracks. not even one step. they were about 40 yards away from me when I shot. I could see the blood pumping out the entry hole. Both expired with in 20 seconds.

Is this the norm with muzzleloaders?

Was it the bullet? the Gun?

All I can say is WOW!!!!!

I have had a lot of friends say the same thing, man do these "ML kill fast", better than my CF. It is BIG bullet put in the right spot, the Barnes bullet definitely has a lot to do with it--big Hollow Point at close yardage. We call it "Boom/Flop". Chap Gleason

I have about every bullet you can get in a sabot for .50 cal, and the barnes is my best bullet. Accuracy and performance is great.

[Chris W.]

I thought the Expanders were boat tail and therefore Crushed Rib would not work in them. Or it that the TMZ that are boat tail and require their own special sabot? Chap Gleason

The expanders are flat based. The TMZ and the Spitfire are boattailed.