Originally Posted by
Semisane
Hey
Borecleaningweasel, please slink out of your hole and give me the kind of advice only a muzzleloading master of your vast knowledge and accomplishments can impart.
What load of Blackhorn 209 should I use in my recently acquired .32 caliber Pedersoli Frontier rifle for our smallish whitetails? I don't plan to shoot farther than 250 yards or so. Also, should I use a roundball, a conical, or just leave the ramrod in the barrel? Do you know of a source for a sabot that will allow me to use .223 varmint bullets in the .32, and would that be better for deer?
As you guys can see, I'm bored.
Hi
You have come to the right place for advice. I'm not a philanthropist , so I don't normally give free advice but I will make an exception in this case as your question shows you have very little knowledge and limited experience in the area of Blackpowder. The Pedersoli frontier rifle is a 1:47 twist. I read in a previous post that you said 1:48 so you evidently don't even know much about the gun you have . Let me begin with basics. The gun is a fantastic shooting gun for both roundball conicals and ramrods. As mentioned it is a 1:47 and the recommended load is 40 gr. I suggest 10 gr of goex 3f or 777 3 f and 25 gr blackhorn 209. ( remember never take someones advice if it is different than manufacturer suggested loads) The barrel is 39 " For round ball use a .0315 ball and .010 or .012 patch lubed with a 7:1 water and ballistol mix. Let patch dry for 72 hours. You will find this a very accurate load for rabbits and squirrel. For deer , I assume you meant 225 feet instead of 225 yards. Many people confuse feet with yards, that's why we have so many deer taken at 250 or 300 yards with a muzzleloader. It's really 250 or 300 feet. So don't feel bad about that error. Anyway for deer I recommend the same powder charge but you need a carbon fiber ramrod cut to 37 1/2 inches . Drill one end and use a standard ribbed insert like they use for arrows. ,Fletch the back of the ramrod with 3 -2" blazer vanes at a 2 degree helical offset approximately 3 inches from the end. Paper patch the first inch to .0325. I have found that the best way to do this is to use Zig Zag paper patching. Two sheets of the 1 1/4 should be perfect. One for the shaft and ,well I'm sure you know what to do with the other one.Because you need to be either semisane or semi high to ask these questions. Once you have the ramrod prepared you can then load the rifle. Insert the ramrod by holding the vanes flat against the shaft. Seat to approximately 25 pounds. After the ramrod is seated screw a Muzzy MX3 broadhead into the insert . It should be no more than 1 inch past the barrel. This is important for accuracy. IF it is more or less than 1" you will not have the sub 1" group needed for hunting deer with this gun.
If it is 1" then you are ready to go. Remember to limit your shots at deer to 250 feet for ethical hunting reasons. If I can be of further assistance feel free to contact me at borecleaningweasel@ gmail.com
Sincerely
borecleaningweasel : "Undeniably the best **** expert in muzzleloading"
P.S. I have been testing a product to use in making sabots. I will be finished with that project today so I will get back to you on the remaing questions