Using the right bullet for my muzzle.

PAHUNTER105 · 12-20-2009, 02:29 PM

Hi Guys,

I have a question regarding what I use out of my traditions PA Hunter 50 cal. I bought the Hornady 50 Cal Sabot with a 45 grain hxp. I also bought the Thompson Center shockwave 300 grain. I shot the Hornady 45/50 at about 30 yards and was happy with the results. However, I never shot the 300 grain shockwaves. I was wondering if anybody is using the same Hornady 45 bullet/ 50 sabot out of their guns and how was the results? I was also wondering if I should be using the shockwaves? I am not an expert and was wondering what others were firing from their 50 cal smoke poles. Is the heavier round better, or should I stick with the 240 grain sabots. Does anybody like the powerbelts? Any input is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,

Stay Safe

Kelly

cayugad · 12-20-2009, 02:35 PM

Traditions PA Hunter... I do not know the rifle. Is this an inline? What is the twist?

PAHUNTER105 · 12-20-2009, 03:00 PM

It is a flintlock. I am not sure of the twist.

Kelly

nchawkeye · 12-20-2009, 03:17 PM

Are you sure it's not a T/C PA Hunter??? If so they were a 1-66 twist if I remember correctly...Is that barrel octagan to round???If so, I'd bet it is a T/C...It just ain't right shooting anything but a round ball in a flinter...

At any rate, the first thing you need to do is find out what twist that barrel has before you decide what projectile to use...Put a patch around the cleaning jag and and slide the ramrod down the barrel and see what type twist you have...The mose common for a .50 would be 1-66, 1-48 or 1-28...

cayugad · 12-20-2009, 03:28 PM

There were some Thompson Center PA Hunters with a 1-48 twist I believe. They would shoot roundball, conicals, and sabots. I never knew Traditions made a PA Hunter. If your rifle has a 1-48 then you have a good sabot load by the sound of it. My PA Hunter has a 1-66 twist and is a roundball shooting machine.

PAHUNTER105 · 12-22-2009, 04:50 PM

Sorry Guys,

It is a Traditions 50 cal PA Pellet. Can anyone help me?

sabotloader · 12-22-2009, 05:14 PM

PAHUNTER105

Here is what I found:

.50 caliber
26" octagonal blued barrel with a 1 in 48" twist rifling
24 1/2" solid aluminum ramrod with brass loading jag
Tru-Glo™ adjustable sights
Removable breech plug
In-line ignition
Ignites loose powder or pellets
Improved hardened frizzen
3'9", 7 lbs.

So you can shoot sabots and pistol bullets + conicals + PRB's...

You will have to find the sabot that best fits your bore + the XTP's that you bought and 80 grains of BP - you will probably like the results....

It may or may not shoot the 300 grain SW's - they might be a bit to long for that twist...

Just about anything is better than Power Belts

If you can find them i would suggest you try some Speer .452/250 grain Gold Dots - awesome bonded bullet...

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/zoom/...c=&adid=264876

lemoyne · 12-22-2009, 06:44 PM

A little work with the Greenhil formula indicates that for a .45 bullet in a 1-48 twist max length for stability is just under .65 of an inch. If you want to shoot sabots I would suggest a 180 or 200 gr bullet maybe a 230gr. Full bore conical could be longer because the diameter is larger.

Big Z · 12-22-2009, 06:52 PM

Give the 240gr cheap shot a whirl. This guy didn't seem to care he was hit with a cheapy:

They'll work slow. They'll work fast. Question is, do they shoot accurately in your gun