Jack_Bauer

Does anyone have any info on the Hornady Low Drag SST .50 in 230gr. or 300gr. I'm looking to use it this year in my muzzle-loader but don't know what gr. size would be best. I'm using Hodgdon Triple 777 FFG.

gleason.chapman

The Ballistic Coefficient of the 300g is higher .250 compared to the 250g which is .210 I believe. I don't recall a 230g SST. There is a 200g ShockWave, which is an SST, but I don't think 230g. In general a bigger bullet is going to go downrange retaining more energy at the target. There is a choice here "big a slow is the way to go" or "small and fast". The big bullets have more recoil, therefore are shot slower. The 200g bullets can be shot faster and have a flatter trajectory. Under 100 yards, doesn't matter much. 150 to 200 yards, more energy is delivered by a bigger bullet. Sight in 3" high at 100 and your goood to go between 0 and 175 yards with any SST bullet, the 200g will get you to 200 yards if you push the bullet with 3 777 pellets (and IF your able to maintain accuracy). I like 300g, but there are a lotta guys around who like 250 for deer, and even 200g SST or SW for deer.
Chap Gleason

lemoyne

They are the same as the Shock Wave the 200 gr with a 50/40 sabot and 90 to 150 grs [what ever groups best usually around 110gr of 777. the next best for long range and deer size animals is the 250gr for anything bigger. I would recommend the 300 gr also I find the bonded ones are best if you done get a perfect angle or hit a big bone they penetrate best.
Since you did not say what gun you are using it is difficult to recommend a sabot if you have a TC the sabot with the Shock Waves is usually a much better fit if you have a Knight the sabot with the SST will normally fit best, in case you don't know the correct thickness of the petals on the sabot is necessary for really decent accuracy.
I would recommend you try BH209 if you have an enclosed action that uses 209's it is expensive but all but a certain group are trilled with it it is quite new and hard to find it is also noncorrosive and progressive burning and very clean it is not necessary to wipe between shots at all I don't even clean until I feel like it left it for weeks when I startedusing it just to see if anything would corrode. Good Luck. Lee

Jack_Bauer

I actually have a .50 side lock percussion muzzle-loader. If I go with the 250gr. SST what amount of Triple 777 would you recommend?

lemoyne

If its a slow twist you may have to use a PRB though some will shoot conicals. if its a 1-48 twist try a 230 gr XTP with 90-100-110 as long as your manuel say you can use that much powder. If they dont want to shoot accurate then try the Maxie ball and the new FPB also the Power Belts with around 80gr and the Sabortooth with 100gr. With a side lock I stick with Pyrodex using RS for PRB and Sabot and P for conicals, you can use other powders but I get occasionalhang fires with 777 it like Blackorn was designed for inlines and works best with 209's. Lee