Initial set up
 

I'm just now setting up my first muzzleloader and was wondering if anybody had any suggestions? I'm planning on using 240 grain Cheap Shot sabots to start with and possibly using them for hunting as well. I'm not sure how much powder I should be using though? My H&R muzzleloader has a 24 inch barrel and hope to be sighting in my scope around 125 to 150 yards.

You might start with 80grains and move up in 5 grain increments. Between 80-110grains should get ya where ya want to be;)

Although I have found several good loads that my Huntsman likes, I keep coming back to 250 gr .452 Hornady XTP in a smooth short black Harvester sabot. It has worked well with 90 grs of T7 FFg and BH209. I use a Metrics Unlimited breech plug for the BH209.

from my experiance the .250 gr. bullet is very hard to beat in any ML. also the XTP has proven itself many times ...

Check your owners manual but I believe the Huntsman's max load is 100gr. I use 90 gr BH209 with a 240 gr sabot Hornady XTP in front of a MU 7/8" plug and Federal 209A primers in my Huntsman. PLENTY of "snap"! I may make it to the range today and try just 85gr. on paper. I'm guessing whitetails may not like that load either!

I will get 3/4" groups at 60 yds with my red dot.

My huntsman likes the 240gr hornady .452 xtp with 90gr of
T7 ffg. This load shoots 3/4" groups @ 50yds. I should also
say that I use the 3-petal EZ sabot from MMP. This bullet should
be a close comparison to the 240gr cheap shot.