I've always shot a TC Cal 50 Hawken. Last year, the Hawken had some "technical difficulties" resulting in it ending up on the shelf. I was given a Traditions Buckhunter a few years back, and had never shot it.

I bought some bullets and headed to the range. I shot 240 Gr Hornady's pushed by 100 grains of Pyrodex. The groups were OK...but not what I had expected. I killed a couple deer with it last year and a couple more this year.

Problem is......I'd like to increase my effective range with this gun. I put a 4X Unertl on it this year, and I'm getting 2" groups at 50 yards and unacceptable groups at 100. I didn't have time to mess with bullet/powder combinations...so I need to know where to start.

I'm going to convert it to a 209 primer...and I was wondering:

1. What powder would you recommend that I get? Triple 7, American Pioneer, the Shockey stuff?

2. Give me a good bullet that will expand. I know that I may need to experiment...but give me a starting place.

Until the last year and a half, it's been patch and ball for me, so I'm a little behind the times. I also shot a recurve until a couple years ago...and I just recently got my first cell phone. LOL

I did kill over 25 deer with that T/C Hawken, so I am familiar with muzzleloading...but I am ready to progress.