ORIGINAL: Muzatko
Due to regulations in my state, I decided to buy the Knight Bighorn SS thumbhole in .50 cal. From allmy research, this seemed like a winner.As far as bullets go,I can use ballistic tip however they cannot be jacketed. I was wondering what would be agood bullet to start with (powerbelt aerotip?). Also, is Triple 7 pellets the standard or regularpyrodex pellets? Should I use #11, magnum #11, or musket ignition? Lastly, I understand that most accurate loads are abtained usingbetween 90-100 grains. Is thiscorrect? Sorry about so many questions, like I said I amnew and would like to get as much info as possible before buying supplies.Any information would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks,
Marc
Marc - welcome to the sport. IMO you selected one of the best work rifles on the market. The Bighorn is a bread and butter rifle that will last you the rest of your life. Especially since you went stainless.
#1 forget the pellets. Since you want to shoot #11 caps or musket caps, they do not ignite pellets in an efficient manner. Granted now, they will fire them. But let the conditions get cold, damp, or extended, and the pellets will be nothing but a head ache. Besides loose powder is cheaper and works as good or better then pellets. Get some Pyrodex RS for starters.
#2 since you need an all lead bullet, consider some of these.. Buffalo Bullet SSB (if you can find them). They come in a number of different weights, but I like the 375 grain. They are good for anything you want to hunt. Precision Rifle also makes some excellent all lead bullets. Contact them by email, tell them you have a Bighorn and length of barrel, and what you want to hunt. They will suggest a bullet and powder combination and it will do all they say it will. Very good bullets. Expensive, but very good.
If all you are going to hunt is deer, get some 240 grain T/C Cheap Shots and give them a try. Load them with 85-100 grains of powder and see how well they shoot for you. Normally that is plenty for a deer. Put them in the right place and they will do the job as well.
What's the most accurate load for your rifle.. only your rifle knows. I personally would start my TESTING with 85 grains of RS and work the load from there. If they hold good up to 120 grains of RS, then fine, your rifle can handle it if your shoulder can. 100 grains of powder is a good hunting load.
Be sure to swab the barrel between shots for the best accuracy. But at first don't worry so much about pin point accuracy. Enjoy shooting your rifle, learn ramrod pressures, swabbing techniques, all of the other little quirks. That is another reason to start out with the T/C cheap shots. You will not break the bank with them.
When you have a good grasp of what it takes to make the rifle shoot, start to experiment with different bullets, even some conicals if you like. Also when you put your breech plug in, do not crank it down tight, make sure you lube the threads of the breech plug with some anti seize, and check it with your breech plug wrench after ten shots to make sure it is still nice and loose.
Have fun with the rifle..