ORIGINAL: Soilarch
Guys I know this is a really basic question but what are typical mzl velocities. One would think that it would be easy to "google" but I've not come up with anything other than stuff talking about "at muzzleloader velocities" and its pretty vague. SOOO....If any of you have chrono-ed your loads could you please tell me what you're getting. I know that the guy using 85gr and a roundball isn't going to be anywhere near the Knight shooter with 150gr pyrodex and a 300gr sabot. But I'd like to get a feel for exactly how these things stack up with pistol-cartridge carbines and shotgun slugs. (Again, I know all three are completely seperate animals...I'm just trying to get an idea) I mean, are we talking about 300gr @1200fps or 250gr and 1800fps or what? Velocities place an immense role in terminal ballistics and without knowing "V" you're just fumbling around in the dark.
Thanks for takin' the time.
ML muzzle velocities can typically range from 1300 FPS to over 2200 FPS, depending on bullet type, weight, and powder charge. Although it is possible to use heavy charges of up to 150 grains of Pyrodex or equivalent loads in some guns, such loads are usually not as accurate as ones using in the vicinity of 100 grains or so. Although some of these "magnum" loads indeed give velocities up to as much as 2500 FPS or so with lighter bullets, velocity is shed faster by such projectiles.
Such loads are more useful for selling certain guns and bullets than for other applications..... When a person wants a more powerful ML, the best approach is still to get a bigger bore, and shoot heavier bullets from it......
For example, I am using a .73 cal flintlock this year which shoots a 597.5 grain, .735" ball at 1500 FPS MV. The energy of this load at the muzzle is a mere 3000 ft/lb. Yet the killing power of such a ball is wayout of proportion to its' size.....