HuntingNet.com Forums - Loose Powder

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First I'd just like to say hello to everyone.

I have beenshooting ML's for a couple years now, as much as I can. Starting to get more time to go out and shoot so I have begun trying outdifferent loads. I have a T/C BDXR and Omega. Been shooting the Omega recently and although I was shooting an 1-1/2" group at 100 yds, scoped I might add, using 100 grn of Pyrodex pellets / 300 grn SST's / MMP 3P EZ sabots,I decided to experiment with loose powder. Yesterday I shot 110 grn (by volume)Pyrodex RS with the same bullet / sabot combination as above. Can't say what the group size with this load is yet because after the first two shots the wind picked up fierce. First two were touching before the wind and the vertical alignment was within an 1-1/2" (5 shot string), not bad given the wind even though it was swinging left to right. The one obvious differnece between the Pellets and Loose to me at this point is that the loose left my bore much cleaner after shots. I swab the bore with 50/50 white windex and rubbing alcohol between shots so this is how I came about this observation. Definitley a less dirty bore with the loose (maybe as much as 50% cleaner). It would appear given this that the loose burns more efficiently. My question I guess would be is this a known fact? Also, if anyone has any load suggestions for the Omega to try please feel free to suggest them. I currently have some MMP HP 24s and Harvester Crushed Rib sabots on order to throw into the mix. Have shot the 250 grn SSTs but they didn't group as well, at least not with the 100 grn pellets and 3P EZ sabots.

RE: Loose Powder

Quote:

ORIGINAL: NVNative

First I'd just like to say hello to everyone.

I have beenshooting ML's for a couple years now, as much as I can. Starting to get more time to go out and shoot so I have begun trying outdifferent loads. I have a T/C BDXR and Omega. Been shooting the Omega recently and although I was shooting an 1-1/2" group at 100 yds, scoped I might add, using 100 grn of Pyrodex pellets / 300 grn SST's / MMP 3P EZ sabots,I decided to experiment with loose powder. Yesterday I shot 110 grn (by volume)Pyrodex RS with the same bullet / sabot combination as above. Can't say what the group size with this load is yet because after the first two shots the wind picked up fierce. First two were touching before the wind and the vertical alignment was within an 1-1/2" (5 shot string), not bad given the wind even though it was swinging left to right. The one obvious differnece between the Pellets and Loose to me at this point is that the loose left my bore much cleaner after shots. I swab the bore with 50/50 white windex and rubbing alcohol between shots so this is how I came about this observation. Definitley a less dirty bore with the loose (maybe as much as 50% cleaner). It would appear given this that the loose burns more efficiently. My question I guess would be is this a known fact? Also, if anyone has any load suggestions for the Omega to try please feel free to suggest them. I currently have some MMP HP 24s and Harvester Crushed Rib sabots on order to throw into the mix. Have shot the 250 grn SSTs but they didn't group as well, at least not with the 100 grn pellets and 3P EZ sabots.

I shoot an Omega with a Crushed rib sabot with 100g of loose 777 3Fusing Nosler Partions 300g. I use the same stuff you do to swab bore at the range, in the field I use bore butter to swab the bore. When I was choosing a bulleta fewyears ago for my Omega, the 300g SST is what I wastesting and they were very accurate (the SW brand):

http://www.the-gleasons.com/tcshockwave300g.htm

however this was "before the crushed rib", and I couldn't get them down the bore of my omega (I could with a rubber mallat, but it is sortainconvenient to carry a hammer with your hunting--

). If you look at the difference between 250g and 300g in this:

http://dougva.proboards34.com/index.cgi?action=display&board=Savage&thre ad=1123448850&page=1

That may help you. Toby Bridges writes about high performance bullets:

http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/EditorsView.html

He like Parker Balistic Extremes, Harvesterand Dead Centers. They are sponsors of his page, so please takehis endoresements as guidance, not gospel.He likes the250g SST. I think the bonded SST in 250gcould be a good bullet. If your trying to get a 200 yards with your shots then look at this:

http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/Technical.html

Chap Gleason

RE: Loose Powder

Quote:

Bullet testing in my Omega, your mileage will vary:

http://www.the-gleasons.com/bullets_penetration_tests_for_mu.htm

Load testing. I have switched to loose and it is cleaner and just a easy.

Chap Gleason

RE: Loose Powder

I don't know why, but my CVA shoots the Pyrodex pellets the best. I've tried 70,80,and 90 grains loose but it prefers the pellets which is ok with me. I'm working on different bullets right now trying to get a deer load for this season. I've only owned my CVA since Christmas and don't shoot everyday like some, I shoot at the sportmans club down by my inlaws 1.5 hours away. I understand the cost effective issues of loose. I got some new Knight Red Hots 250gr and Harvester Crushed Rib Sabots to try on my next trip to the gun club. So, we'll start again with the loose and work up to the pellets and see what happens with these new bullets and sabots. Allways looking to improve.

RE: Loose Powder

Whether loose powder produces cleaner barrels after the shot, I personally could not say. I think a lot of it depends on where you live, the temperature, and humidity. I have shot both, but like the loose powder much more. I can adjust my loads to me, and also the cost is a big factor.

I have a BDXR and it shoots about anything I put down it. It likes 100 grains of Goex 2f and 375 grain Buffalo Bullet SSB's. It also likes the Shockwaves, both the 250 & 300 grain. I also shoot .452 300 grains XTP's with some excellent results. For some reason it likes the .452 over the .430 diameter.

My BDXR also shoots 460 grain No Excuse Conicals very well. I only shoot them with 80 grains of powder, but for down range thump they sure deliver.

What you gun might shoot, only your rifles know the real answer. All you can do is just what your doing. Put in range time, try different bullets, and be consistant in your loading and shooting.

Also welcome to the forum. It is good to have you here.

RE: Loose Powder

I like 120gr APP FFGor Pyrodex RS with 250gr shockwave. Same bullet with 110gr 777, too. :)

RE: Loose Powder

Quote:

ORIGINAL: sjsfire

I don't know why, but my CVA shoots the Pyrodex pellets the best. I've tried 70,80,and 90 grains loose but it prefers the pellets which is ok with me. I'm working on different bullets right now trying to get a deer load for this season. I've only owned my CVA since Christmas and don't shoot everyday like some, I shoot at the sportmans club down by my inlaws 1.5 hours away. I understand the cost effective issues of loose. I got some new Knight Red Hots 250gr and Harvester Crushed Rib Sabots to try on my next trip to the gun club. So, we'll start again with the loose and work up to the pellets and see what happens with these new bullets and sabots. Allways looking to improve.

Knight Red Hots, are the Barnes MZ, I believe, and they are a very good bullet, from what I read. Let us know how they work for you.
Chap Gleason

RE: Loose Powder

[/quote]

Knight Red Hots, are the Barnes MZ, I believe, and they are a very good bullet, from what I read. Let us know how they work for you.
Chap Gleason
[/quote]

Thats what I heard too. I tried to buy some Barnes and they were sold out andon backordereverwhere I checked. Bass Pro had some Knight Red Hots. I ordered 3 packs to try out. When they came I held them up next to the Barnes MZ Expanders and if there is any difference I cant's see by eyeballing it. Besides it says "Made by Barnes" on the packaging. I'll report back when I shoot the Knights with the Harvestor Crushed Ribs......Sorry to get off subject here in your thread NVNative.

RE: Loose Powder

My Knight LRH seems to like 105gr triple 7 3f loose and 250gr parker ballistic extreams. Take a look at this 100 yard target.

RE: Loose Powder

Thanks to all for the info.

Chap - It really looks like you have put a lot of time in on the Omega. So far the 300 grn SST / SW has shot the tightest groups for me and I really like how the bullet mushroomed and stayed together in the picture you posted. I will try some of the other bullets posted in time just for fun if nothing else. Working on a load right now for a ML Muley hunt in Utah this fall, so if nothing else, I currently feel I can go out with the 100 grn Pyrodex / 300 grn SST / 3P EZ load and it will perform, but definitely going to keep working on it. I am looking forward to trying the crushed rib sabots when they show up as well. Given I cannot use a powered scope in Utah, or here in Nevada, 200 yds is farther than I am probably comfortable shooting. A good 150 yd load will make me happy. I am using the powered scope to work up the load and then I will practice with the set up I decide to use for the hunt.

Cayugad - Youhaveobviously put time in on the BDXR, I am currently in an enamoured state with the Omega but will have to pull the BD out and try some of theloads that you have put together.