lemonyne-

I read the write up on the new powder on the High Performance Muzzleloading site. I'll probably try some when it hits the shelves.

Now, I should say that I'm only into my first year of muzzleloading. I do a lot of reading and researching before I get into things, and I like to tinker when it gets right down to it so muzzleloading is right up my alley. As range goes, I live in Iowa where shots in timber seldom exceed 75 yards, but field edges and CRP can easily get you out to 200 yards. I'm just starting to work up loads and looking for something with a MPBR of 150-175 yards with the ability to get the job done out to 200 if need be. Learning as I go! Current load I am working on is with 270gr. Gold Dots (.44/.429) and the green Knight/MMP sabots. I was shooting 100gr. of Pyro RS with it last night and at 25 yds. (dialing in scope) it shot really well. Took two shots to get it where I wanted it, then fired five more for effect where three found the same ragged hole and the other two were nearly touching. This is the first time I've shot that heavy a load of Pyro and I'll say the fouling on the breach plug was the worst I've experienced yet. Most loads I've shot with Pyro were with 85gr. and they were compartively clean. Absent a chronograph, I'd guess this load is probably in the area of 1700 fps.

I had started this bullet/sabot combination off with 90gr. of 7772f expecting similar velocities and then maybe working up to 100gr. and over 1800 fps. It is simply too difficult to load though in my gun on successive shots. With Pyro, a damp patch and a dry patch is all I need between shots to remove fouling in the barrel- no crud ring to deal with.

I think this bullet has potential, good compromise of weight and attainable velocity with the design to hold together on game. It also has a decent BC (.193) so longer range trajectory should be workable. I just need to shoot it some more and see what it can do. My brother has some 777 pellets, I may try them and see if the fouling is any different.

Now, back to where I started, here is an article I found that says a lot about why lower velocity, larger caliber bullets get the job done on game of all sizes- sometimes ever better than hyper velocity centerfire rounds:

http://www.shootingtimes.com/ammunition/hunt_121305/index.html