The ones I listed are the only conicals that I can depend on at 100 yards & beyond. The Powerbelt used 80 grains 777 -- the other three use 70-80 grains. No bore buttons/wads with these loads.... using the original bullet lube.

I spent five weeks in the spring of 2004 testing 13 different conicals by 10 different manufacturersin my two 1-48s. Eventually, I got all 13 shooting well at 50 yards -- but only the four I listed made the cut at 100 yards. The 295 Powerbelt is fine out to 150.... the Hornady PA Conicalout to 125.... the two Buffalo Ballets at 100 yards. REALs and No Excuses were not included in this test.

Excellent. Are these in percussion sidelocks or inlines?

Both are sidelocks... ie... Traditions Deerhunter & T/C Renegade with aftermarket 1-48" Green Mountain barrel.

With caplocks andconical's, I've always had the best accuracy and performace from the Hornady Great Plains Conicals. 385grain in 50 cal.

Even though they are designed to orbitrate (Expand) with the bore upon firing to engage into the rifling, I have more often than not found better accuracy with a wonderwad than without.

Same thing goes for using wads with the Maxi-Hunter and Maxi-Ball. I have better accuracy overall with wads.

Load powder, then the wad, then the conical.

The trick with conical's accuracy is really in the loading of them and getting them cut properly into the rifling. Otherwise, they shoot all over the place.

I find that after thumb starting, a quick, sharp smack with a short starter to "engage" them into the rifling and then even force with the ramrod to load.

Lastly, don't expect to push them too fast or you will end up leading the daylights out of your bore in a hurry by pushing the conical over the rifling.

For powders I would suggest either traditional black powder (Swiss 3FG is my favorite) or 777 2FG or Black Mag'3 in moderate charges.

RWS Dynamit-Nobel #1075 caps.

I'll be hunting a few days this season with a caplock(s) of some flavor and caliberand the Hornady 385gr Great Plains conical.

Good luck.

Alot of times, no wad is needed with a good, strong lube. The bore-buttered Maxis have provided the most grief with poor shot placements.But had Thompson ever decided to use the lubes found on the Buffalo Ballets or the Hornady PA Conicals -- that literally can stick a bullet to the side of your fingers -- well that's what separates the 777 users from the Pyrodex, Black Mag... App... etc users.

If Thompson did that, there would be alot less complaining about Maxiballs and Maxihunters on boards like this one.777 users need a stronger lube than bore butter for pushing conicals to extremes. That's why I recommended the Hornadys and Ballets. But if you candevelop that lube& put it on otherconicalbrands ---that sure would help their accuracy with 777 powder users.