Hi Guys,

I have a new ML hunter who just purchased a Black Diamond XR, some Dead Centers (340gr), 777 3F powder, and 1075 #11 caps. We're in WA state so must go with open breech, #11 or Musket caps only, no optics, and all lead projectiles, etc. Anyone have recommendations on starting loads for us/him?

Also, what other lead bullets have you found to shoot well in your Black Diamond XR? This will be for our upcoming ML deer season Oct 4th, with expected ranges to be anything from 20yrd in the thick brush to 100yds or more for the hill tops, etc.

thank you!
phil

https://www.hornady.com/shop/?ps_session=a4f2e89cae6ea1b835a915acabaa9699&p age=shop%2Fbrowse&category_id=5dadafd809b601a6 7c77adcd3834ac1d
http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_m0BQY/is_8_53/ai_n19313659
I dont know if you can use the Hornady FPB there because its copper coated if you can then its over all best, if you can not then the ones listed above and the SaborTooth have worked well for me The Sabortooth has a plastic skirt so I dont know about legalities there. I a TC I have had to use an over the powder wad, I usually push it down to the start of the QLA fill the barrel level to the muzzle with corn meal put a greased wad on top shove it in to the start of the QLA put the bullet on top and shove the hole works down on to thepowder.
If you can use a sabot there are a number of all lead bullets you could put in it , but when they say all lead they usually prohibit sabots. Lee

Using loose powder, start with 90 grains and start shooting groups. It should tune in somewhere between there and 110 grains of powder. Another good all lead sabot is the 375 grain Buffalo Bullet SSB. A person I talk to shot his elk with that bullet and 110 grains of Triple Se7en 2f. The bullet passed all the way through and lodged under the skin on the off side. He said it was only 80 yards out when he shot and the elk made about 30 yards and just laid down...

I shoot the Buffalo Bullets with 100 grains of Goex 2f or Pyrodex RS. They are a very well made bullet and normally a little cheaper then the Dead Center. My BDXR also did well with 460 grain NO Excuses Conicals shooting 100 grains of Goex. An excellent bullet there.

You have a great rifle... Keep us posted.

lemoyne- sabots are allowed as are plastic tipped all lead bullets, but no jacketed ones allowed.What are FPB? I did a search on their site and didn't find anything on it, etc ...

cayugad- thank you for this info.My friend will use your recommendation for his first range session.I have some of the 375gr Buffalo Bullets SSBs as well as some of the 460gr NE conicals too. Regarding Buffalo Bullets - didn't they go out of business?I haven't found them online ... Also,do you perhaps remember what size conicals you used in your Black Diamond XR? I have a pretty wide sampling of BS conicals for my UMag that were sized to 503 and am wondering if they'll work for my friends BDXR ifhe wants to try them out,etc?

thanks again guys!
phil

I later learned with my range finder that the distance was approximately 70 yards. I was never very good at pacing off distances.

The No Excuses are .503 diameter so the .503 Bull Shop should work well. You might try them with and without a wad... I never shot the Bull Shop out of the BDXR. Maybe next time I take it out I will see what I have for conicals or perhaps run out and size some... See how well I can make them shoot.

The Buffalo Bullets might have went out of business for all I know. I found a HECK of a deal on the 375 grains a few years ago and bought out all the store had at the time. So I am well stocked in them.

Fellow Hunter, I am also hunting in Washington State. I am new to the sport and am finding it a little hard to pick the best bullet/powder combo to get started as well. I just bought a Knight Bighorn and am going out to shoot it for the first time on Friday. The bullet that I am going to start with first is the Precision Rifle Extreme Elite in 360 grain. I went a little heavy because I will probably use the same setup for elk. I am using the musket cap ignition system. I will let you know how they shoot.

Good Luck Shooting,
Muzatko

The FPB is a new copper plated plastic tipped conical by Hornady it wieghs 350 gr and has shot minute of angle for me in 3 of my inlines. Lee

Thankyou lemoyne and cayugad! My 'new to ML' friend is indebted to you both ... that's also some great shooting cayugad!It looks like Cabelas has the 375gr Buffalo Bullet SSBs in stock so I'm going to order more online today as well.

Muzatko- good luck hunting this year.Yes, let us know how your first range session goes as well!

cheers,
phil

Hi Guys,

After a bit of chasing our tails I've got my new ML friend shootingup to100yds with the recipe provided by you guys.90gr T7 3F, 1075+ #11s, and 340gr Dead Centers and he's hitting a 6" bull at 100yds pretty consistently now.We've got one more range session to see if we can tighten up his groups and we're off to ML deer season opener Oct. 4th ... thanks again!

cheers,
phil

I shoot the 220 grain dead centers with great accuracy. Are you shooting whitetails? What size are they? Chances are you may be able to go a lot lighter and start out around 80-90 grains of powder, enjoy better accuracy, less recoil and awesome killing power. I think we tend to overpower things with the ML, especially all lead bullets. Here are a couple of my dead center 220's after the kill. Good luck, Greg