I have a couple older .50 caliber percussion cap rifles, but bought a .45 Traditions Lightning a few years back (10?) and would like opinions from anyone who has experince hunting and taking game with a .45 muzzleloader. I get great accuracy with Powerbelts, but constantly read about their ineffectivness on deer.

I have only taken 2 deer with black power (real black powder, not substitues) and a .490 round ball. Both were close shots and the deer went down quick with a modest charge of 70 grains.

My real interest is to learn about the bullets and sabots that are used with effectiveness from a .45 bore, modern front loader like my Traditions Lighting. Like I said, at the range the gun seems to be flawless, but I've not tried any bullets on deer yet.

All opinions are welcomed, as I'm new to the "modern" front loaders.

I personally like the .400 cal 200 grain XTP with the light blue Harverster Crush Rib sabot. I get excellent accuracy and no complaints on effectiveness on deer.

I use a 460gr Bullshop conical and 70gr of Swiss 3F in my .451 White Super 91. My gun has a fast 1 in 20" twist and shoots big lead great. Never tried PB's or saboted bullets in it.

Same rifle as Nim - I used the 451 488gr Bullshop w/70 grains Swiss for 4 does this year. One at 163 yds.

not much help to you as i have a traditions 45 cal. not to the range yet. i was told with the 45 cal. being a different beast than the 50-s that the 300 grain platinum powerbelts are supposed to perform very well. i have a 44cal. minimum requirement for deer and cant use 40 cal. bullets with sabots. i let you know next year.

Took two does last year with the .40/200 grain XTP in Harvester H4540B sabots over 85 grains GOEX FFFg. Two clean kills. If your gun shoots the XTP well over about that same charge of Pyrodex or Triple Seven, that's what I would recommend.

Thanks for all replies so far.
My Traditions Lightning .45 has a 1:20 twist I believe. I have been using 2 50 gr pellets of Pyrodex, and also using 777. Seems that the 777 is a bunch cleaner and accuracy is the same or better. I've not tried anything loose yet.

I've used only Powerbelts so far just b/c they were easily obtainable, but am perfectly willing to invest in bullets and/or sabots that are known to have good terminal results on animals.

Please keep any and all suggestions coming for what to throw out of the end of a .45 bore muzzleloader for good results on deer and other game.

Here's a bonus for you 8mm/06. If you ever want a great small game load with recoil like a .22 rimfire, check out the load on the target below.

The only thing is - you really need some loose powder (either Pyrodex or T7 will do). I got these groups with 40 grains and 40 grains only. The groups went to hell when I tried a little more and a little less powder. Your gun may like 35 or 45 grains.

I have a Knight Disc Extreme in .45, the best loads are 90-110 grs. The best shooting load is 100 grs. BH-209, 223 gr. platinum power belt and 209-cci magnum primer. The Knight also shoots the SST hornady very well also. Pyrodex RS would be my second choice for powder with Jim Shockey Gold in 3F being my third choice for powder. Shoot and have fun.

If i remember correctly those Traditions 45s all had a fast 1in20 twist. Thats likely much too fast for any PRB load. Heavier conicals and mild loads of Pryo or T7 should be ok and 200gr SSTs with a bit more powder. I would try 90gr to start with the SST. That should be plenty if it groups well.