oldsmellhound

Nothing to be ashamed of- I'm not a fan of magnum loads either. Yes, I CAN shoot heavy-kicking loads (i.e. 12 gauge shotgun full-power slugs, like I used to for deer hunting), but I prefer not to punish myself. I know for a fact that I shoot better when the recoil is less. On the other hand, I will shoot what my rifle shoots best- in my case, that is 95 grains of 777 FFFG. If my rifle shot better with 110 grains, I'd probably shoot that, but it doesn't. I used to shoot 80 grains 777, but found out the "sweet spot" is 95 grains.

Keep in mind how many bison fell to the old 45-70 shooting 70 grains of blackpowder (equal in velocity to 60-65 grains of 777). So you're by no means underpowered for hunting.

cayugad

Unless you're hunting at extreme distances, or some monster animals, there really is little need for large powder loads. As long as your rifle is accurate with 70 grains then use it. Just remember what the powder charge will do in regards to the physics of the projectile you are using.

sabotloader

Corey

I am the opposit... I like a stiff charge, and I am not recoil concious, so I do not even think about... but I really believe in the old addage "speed kills" but a couple of weeks ago shooting my 50 with PRB's a 60 grain charge of T7-3f felt like a cap gun and it was fun to shoot paper with....

And yes! I know that you really not need all that powder especially if you are shooting full bore conicals - especially the heavy ones - can not even imagine shooting a 500 grain 45/70 - seems like you could run with a knife and get there before the bullet.

If you can not enjoy shooting it would not be any fun at all..

falcon

Have killed several hogs while hunting small game with my CVA Stag Horn: The load=70 grains of Pyrodex RS and a 240 grain XTP or a lead 240 grain semi-wad cutter.

txhunter58

I hav kilt too elk wit 90 grs. (777 and BH 209) an anuther wit 100 gr of pyrodex. I muss b two ignorent fur me ownn gud.

LOL. I am a recoil wimp too. Or said another way, I am WAY more accurate with lower charges and normally the bullets I use are more accurate at lower charges. Since 90 to 100 grains is more than enough power to kill an elk at any REASONABLE muzzy distance, why would anyone use more???

corey012778

ouch, shoulder hurts reading that.

kodiakemt414

I too am a recoil wimp. 45 gr of BM3 and a PRB out of my Hawken at 25 yrds works like a champ.

Chris W.

What's funny is hearing and feeling the rifle go off, then a second later hearing the bullet impact the target. I like shooting the largest charge the bullet will shoot well with.My current hunting load is 110 gr. of 777 with a 250 gr. barnes expander. I've been known to shoot 410 gr conicals with 105 gr of 777, but the best groups with that bullet come with 80-90 gr. of powder.

corey012778

been playing with the fpbs with 75gr triple 2f, hear them fly down range then hear them hit. been working with .458 homecast 405gr. 90grs of triple 7 2f I hear them hit the backing.