Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Would it be best to start out with the factory bullet/sabot combo's or just purchase the sabots and the bulk .45 caliber bullets? I was looking through some of my catalogs and I am curious as to which is the most practical choice? From what it looks like there are different style .45 caliber pistol bullets of different designs and weights. Would this be way too complicated for a new black powder shooter that is just starting out? I am thinking that I should possibly be reading black powder for dummies, (if available) Because some of this is really hard to figure out in the two books that I have right now.

Mike

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

For right now, I'd get the pre packaged bullet/sabot combinations. Also pick up a pack of bulk sabots in the crushed rib style or HPH-24 by MMP. Just in case the packed bullets are hard to load. As long as you match the bullet to the sabot, you are fine.

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

What rifle do you have? Im not a sabot user so i cant help you there but the powerbelts, great plains bullets and buffalo Ball-ets are good choices for conicals.

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Thanks,
I have seen the different empty sabots available andI will write those numbers down for the sabots. I will just stick with the pre-packaged ammo for now. I will be doing some range practice but mostly interested in deer hunting. Is that something worth dabbeling in some day once a person is better experienced or just stick with the packaged ammo?

Mke

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

I have over 15 different bullets in bulk that I purchase, and then get some matching sabots. This allows me to experiment with all kinds of loads, rifles, etc. In fact my storage area looks more like a sporting goods store then an office.

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

HD Road King

Here are my thoughts just for the heck of it...

Usually if you purchase pre-packaged bullet/sabot combinations, they are goingto be somewhat more expensive than bulk.

If you want the specialty bullets, like SST's or Shockwaves and such you will need to purchase pre-packaged bullets...

If you are going to shoot a lot... you might be better off purchasing bulk reloading bullets and a sabot that will fit your gun for the caliber you are shooting....

I forget what rifle you are shooting but there is aright combination for every rifle. Sometimes you have to really look for it. I am forunate my rifles seem to shoot what ever i can stuff down the barrel. I use to think it was really important to shoot a bullet close to the muzzle size so for my 50's I have been shooting .451/.451/.458 bullets. Since Del set me a little straight (owner MMP) I have kindagone back to shooting .429/.430's with his new HPH sabots.... Ituse to be that I would get fliers out of the blue but the other day everything wemt great... + what really ruined my theory was shoot 10mm 200 grain Hornady XTP's in an MMP blue sabot.. what a screaming bullet and it is really accurate...

So for me the key for you is finding the right sabot... Harvester and MMP are the two leading manufactures. There is no reason to force, pound, or stand on your ram-rod to get a bullet down - all they need to do is slide down snugly - and I am even wondering about that lately...

The Harvester regular and the MMP HPH-24 are made for rather tight barrels (50 cal variety) If those are to tight the companies have developed an even thinner sabot... forHarvester they have created the "crush rib" both in 44/50 and 45/50. MMP has created theHPH-3p-ez which I found worked better for me than the"crush rib" (I had greater velocity with the 3p than I did the CR) but it only comes 45/50

If I had to choose bullets, and I would need to choose 3 -(1)I would go with the Nosler Partition for hunting .451/260 grain for deer .451/300 grain for elk (expensive) (2) Speer Gold Dots .452/250 for deer .452/300 for elk. (3)Hornady10mm 200 grain XTP's for deer. Both 2&3 are inexpensive enough toshoot at paper also.

hope some of this helps...

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Thanks Sabotloader & Cayuga,
Sabot, I will be finally getting my Knight .50 Disc home next week and now it is finally time to start with the goodies.

Cayuga, I used to re=load shotgun shells I hear you on the sporting shop. Every time something new hit the market my Dad and I had to try it.

I just had been doing some reading and then a Midsouth catalog arrived in the mail today. I guess that my head started spinning after paging through that catalog.

Mike

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

HD Road King

I am betting with a new Disc 50 - you will need the HPH-24 - you can get them by buying a package of TC Mag Express Sabots (.451/50 black sabot) off the shelf in a sporting outlet or order them from www.mmpsabots.com

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Thanks again,
So are the colors variations sort of a standardized idea for sabots or do you need to be aware of different Manufacturers. I noticed the different varieties in colors. Once you find a sabot that works good with loading is that the only one you will need or will it be necessary to change with different bullet types?

As far as out at the range I take it these bulk bullets are OK, but as far as hunting goes. Say if a person found a really accurate combination would they work for deer or stick with the other bullets. I have really been looking at those Barnes/Knight SBT's and Red Hot/expanders as the most likely bullet for next years deer season.

My buddy just spends quite a bit of time out at the range and I thought the bulk might be a cheaper route. My plan is to first try those two different Knight bullets out and figure out what will be my next years hunting combo. Would it be still wise to always practice with my hunting round for the most consistent accuracy. I am not planning on scoping the rifle, but I am going to get the Williams aperture sight for it.

Mike

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Let me second the recommendation of the HPH 24 sabot in your Knight. Maybe try a bulk Nosler 260 gr. Partition, or a Speer Gold Dot,in that sabot. Another bullet that is hard to beat is the 250 gr. T/C Shockwave/SST. The SST has a tighter sabot than the T/C version, and may seat too hard in your Knight. Also,the Harvestermight bea good sabot to try in your gun with bulk bullets. Good luck. Roskoe.

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Hey thanks Roskoe,
I think that I came across those Harvesters website the other day. If a person finds a sabot and say a bullet bullet that will work with consistency out at the range. Would that also be an sufficient hunting round or would one of the copper jacketed Barnes (possibly the SBT or Red Hot) be better for deer? I have that new Midsouth catalog and I will look up some of those suggested bullets. I think that I am going to really like this muzzle-loading, I like it when things are not clear cut and always leave room for experimentation. So many of my buddies just buy a box of ammo at the store and it is only brought out at deer season.

Thanks again for the help on that rifle and scope. I am placing the order next week.

Mike

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

HD Road King

Check these bullets out...

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1791957

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1794250

There is no doubt that the Barnes Bullets are excellent bullet but like the Noslers I shoot they are to expensive to shoot recreationally and believe me when you start shooting you will keep shooting...

These Gold Dots serve a dual purpose purpose and are somewhat inexpensive...

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Thanks Sabot,
Thanks for the links. Would those bullets be a good round then for both the range and deer hunting? What is the best practice, use your hunting round always so that you become proficient with that load for all types of conditions or use two separate loads. One for range work and one for hunting? If this makes any sense. I guess from what I am thinking so far from reading past posts it sounds like it is really important to find the powder and bullet combination that work best for your gun. So once you find this and are satisfied with the results. Would it then be best to use that load always, for deer and range work? I am going to owe everybody a huge thanks for all of the help. It sure saves allot of trial and error!

Mike

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Wow Sabot,
Thanks for the information on those gold dots. Those things sure mushroomed up nice. From what the guy in Mississippi was explaining about his type of woods sounds really similar to our type of cover here in MN. I think that I am going to order some of those in and some Sabots and start experimenting. Where is the best place to get those Gold Dots?

My buddy shoots a Encore and he is always telling me to start with the Power Belts. He says that the Sabots cause barrel fouling. I have read about that and it sounds like it is not much of a problem. Do you use the Sabots for most of your shooting?

Thanks again,
Mike

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

HD - I went the cheaper route after I went thru my first pre-packaged box of sabots/bullets. I am using Harvester Crush rib sabots and .45 cal 240gr XTPs. I ordered the sabots from cabelas, and I order all of my bullets from Midwayusa.com

Hope this helps ya out, just to fore-warn you, muzzleloading is a very addicting hobby!

RE: Which bullet type, pre packaged or bulk?
 

Thanks Rammer,
I am starting to realize that this a veryaddicting hobby. I have catalogs and books piling up here and now I look forward to the Mailman bringing the Mail. My Wife and I had a big wish list for our Harley. I have since told her that I am holding off until next year for the accessories. I think that she is realizing the Muzzle-loading Monster has gotten it's grip on me.

Mike