This is take from an Item published by Cabel's
Modern Magnum .45 Caliber Muzzleloading Rifle:
The modern magnum .45 caliber muzzleloading rifle will be of a inline, modern primer design and will be loaded from the muzzle end of the barrel with the use of a black powder substitute for a reliable propellant charge such as triple seven, pyrodex or blackhorn 209 and is typically limited to a maximum safe charge of 150 grains of pelletized substitute powder of which, full potential of this powder charge can not be realized in a rifle barrel that is shorter than 26 inches long.

A further statement is needed here on loose powder charges of granular powders, because of the difference in burn times of these powders only 100 - 120 grains of granular powder are needed for efficient velocity increase after that the powder is usually wasted as it will not be fully burned in the barrel. These rifles work best with a scope mounted usually 1.8 to 2.0 inches above the bore-line and will have a Maximum Point Blank Range of two hundred yards when set up correctly with a 1 in 28 inch twist barrel.

Long Range Status Has Returned To The .45 Caliber Muzzleloader:
Since the mid 1700's the .45 caliber muzzleloading rifle has slowly evolved into what may be seen in the 21st century as the ultimate deer hunting muzzleloading caliber offering a flat trajectory out to 200 yards with plenty of bullet energy out to 300 yards. The reason for this is, out of a 27 inch, 1 in 28 inch rifling twist rate .45 caliber magnum muzzleloading rifle you can equal the longrifles velocity with a similar weighted projectile, however with all the advancements made with bullets the projectile has a much higher ballistic profile do to weight and shape, energy is considerably higher for these projectiles fired from a magnum muzzleloader with a 1 in 28 inch rifling twist rate.

The Below Ballistics Derived From Equal Powder Charges:

Traditional 45 Caliber Longrifle Muzzleloader.
Rifle Barrel Length: 48 Inches.
Rifle Barrel Twist Rate: 1 Turn in 66 Inches.</B>
Roundball Weight: 130 Grains.
Muzzle Velocity: 2,360 Feet Per Second.
Muzzle Energy: 1,608 Foot Pounds.Range25 yds.50 yds.75 yds.100 yds.150 yds.200 yds.+Bullet Drop+ 0.2+ 1.6+ 2.3+ 2.0- 3.1- 16.2InchesBullet Energy1195872629459290220Ft. Lbs.

The above ballistics are representative of a typical .45 caliber longrifle muzzleloader from the late 1700's era with a 48 inch barrel.
The below ballistics are representative of a typical .45 caliber magnum muzzleloader of current production with a 27 inch barrel.


45 Caliber Magnum Muzzleloader.
Rifle Barrel Length: 27 Inches.
Rifle Barrel Twist Rate: 1 Turn in 28 Inches.</B>
Bullet Weight: 180 Grains.
Muzzle Velocity: 2,200 Feet Per Second.
Muzzle Energy: 1934 Foot Pounds.Range25 yds.50 yds.75 yds.100 yds.150 yds.200 yds.+Bullet Drop- 0.1+ 1.1+ 1.8+ 2.0+ 0.6- 3.4InchesBullet Energy182717251628153513611205Ft. Lbs.

45 Caliber Magnum Muzzleloader.
Rifle Barrel Length: 27 Inches.
Rifle Barrel Twist Rate: 1 Turn in 28 Inches.</B>
Bullet Weight: 200 Grains.
Muzzle Velocity: 2,100 Feet Per Second.
Muzzle Energy: 1958 Foot Pounds.Range25 yds.50 yds.75 yds.100 yds.150 yds.200 yds.+Bullet Drop- 0+ 1.2+ 1.9+ 2.0- 0.3- 4.3InchesBullet Energy184817431642154713691210Ft. Lbs.

Note, Energy: When you look at the ballistics of the magnum muzzleloader as opposed to the longrifle muzzleloader you will notice that the downrange energy for the magnum at 200 yards is almost a 1/2 ton or 1,000 foot pounds higher than the longrifle even though the velocity is lower for the magnum.

Note, Trajectory: When you look at the ballistics of the magnum muzzleloader as opposed to the longrifle muzzleloader you will notice that the downrange trajectory, bullet drop for the magnum at 200 yards is one foot or 12 inches less than the longrifle even though the velocity is lower for the magnum.

Note, Powder Charges: The above ballistics were derived from the same volume powder charges in both rifles.

When presented with the facts it is more than apparent that the .45 caliber magnum muzzleloader does deserve the title of being called a true magnum regardless of the powder charge but based on increases in down range bullet energy coupled with a much flatter bullet trajectory.

Copyright 2001 - 2011 The bottom line is that by using a heavy projectile you can increase the efficiency so with a 300 gr projectile of high BC a 22 inch barrel will be quite efficient out to 150 yds with a 90 or 100 gr powder charge.