Let's Talk Loads
10-09-2011, 05:22 PM
#1
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
Let's Talk Loads
Fellows I think I am going to be able to get out on the porch tomorrow and shoot my new Flint Lock(50 caliber).
In the past I have always shot 90 or 100 grain loads of 3F in my flint lock rifles for deer hunting. However I honestly think I have been overdoing it a bit.
Now we all realize the best load is the most accurate load. So with that in mind. I am thinking about starting out at a 60 grain charge of 3F Black in my new flinter.
I don't think I will be giving up alot of performance over the 90 grain load?? What do you guys think about that??
I know I should have already been out shooting my rifle. But my main focus has been to get the youngin on his first squirrel. It took three trips to the woods, but I finally got him on one last night. Boy was he excited. I never realized how hard it was to get a youngin on a squirrel. I bet we saw 15. But I just could not get him on the squirrel for a good shot.
But honestly, WHO CARES. Man did we have a good time. And in the end he connected. So that made it all worth it!! Tom.
In the past I have always shot 90 or 100 grain loads of 3F in my flint lock rifles for deer hunting. However I honestly think I have been overdoing it a bit.
Now we all realize the best load is the most accurate load. So with that in mind. I am thinking about starting out at a 60 grain charge of 3F Black in my new flinter.
I don't think I will be giving up alot of performance over the 90 grain load?? What do you guys think about that??
I know I should have already been out shooting my rifle. But my main focus has been to get the youngin on his first squirrel. It took three trips to the woods, but I finally got him on one last night. Boy was he excited. I never realized how hard it was to get a youngin on a squirrel. I bet we saw 15. But I just could not get him on the squirrel for a good shot.
But honestly, WHO CARES. Man did we have a good time. And in the end he connected. So that made it all worth it!! Tom.
Last edited by HEAD0001; 10-09-2011 at 06:39 PM.
10-09-2011, 05:30 PM
#2
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eastern PA
Posts: 12,747
Awesome taking the young lad out hunting. Squirrels give ample opportunities for them to connect.
As for the flinter, I think 60 gr may be a bit on the light side. I would probably start at 75 or 80 grs and work up from there.
As for the flinter, I think 60 gr may be a bit on the light side. I would probably start at 75 or 80 grs and work up from there.
10-09-2011, 05:53 PM
#3
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: Wisconsin
Posts: 21,193
Congratulations to the young man on the squirrel. I started out hunting squirrel and rabbit, then grouse, and finally deer. He did good and you can tell him so.
As for you 60 grain load.. in a book I have by Don Davis. He discussed his flintlocks and said, his favorite load was 50 grains and a roundball. He claimed that was a deer hunting load. Now a lot of us would call that light, but by all things.. if close range, it should work.
I would try the 60 grain load and see how it shoots. BUT if the rifle will behave (and most of the custom do) I see no reason that could not be moved up to 80 or 90 grains.
Keep us posted with the rifle.
As for you 60 grain load.. in a book I have by Don Davis. He discussed his flintlocks and said, his favorite load was 50 grains and a roundball. He claimed that was a deer hunting load. Now a lot of us would call that light, but by all things.. if close range, it should work.
I would try the 60 grain load and see how it shoots. BUT if the rifle will behave (and most of the custom do) I see no reason that could not be moved up to 80 or 90 grains.
Keep us posted with the rifle.
10-09-2011, 06:33 PM
#4
Boone & Crockett
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: River Ridge, LA (Suburb of New Orleans)
Posts: 10,917
That's an interesting proposition HEAD. My .54 Great Plains flinter is accurate as the dickens with 65 grain loads. But I hunt with 85 grain loads because I "feel" I need the power. Maybe I don't. But it sure can't hurt.
I just checked the target file for the .54 TC/GM Renegade. It turns out I've never shot less than 75 grains or more than 95 grains out of that barrel. And the 75 grain load was really really accurate. But last year I hunted with 95 grains.
We probably all use larger charges that we really need in our round ball guns. But then again, we don't have to worry about running out of powder before the next rendezvous the way the old boys did.
I just checked the target file for the .54 TC/GM Renegade. It turns out I've never shot less than 75 grains or more than 95 grains out of that barrel. And the 75 grain load was really really accurate. But last year I hunted with 95 grains.
We probably all use larger charges that we really need in our round ball guns. But then again, we don't have to worry about running out of powder before the next rendezvous the way the old boys did.
10-09-2011, 07:15 PM
#6
Nontypical Buck
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: Rivesville, WV
Posts: 3,192
Typical deer hunting range. No farther than 100 yards. But most in the 25 to 75 yard range. Typical deer hunting. I normally limited my shots in the past with my flint locks to 100 and at most 125 yards with a PRB.
My plan is to sight my new flintlock dead on at 75 yards. Tom.
My plan is to sight my new flintlock dead on at 75 yards. Tom.
10-10-2011, 07:49 AM
#8
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
He must be pretty good to kill a squirrel with a knife!!! 
I've mentioned this before, when I built my .54 in 1988 I started with 120grs Goex FF as a load...After a few years I went to 100grs FF and now have moved to 80grs FFF Goex...Less powder means less fouling to clean and I can't tell any difference in killing power or trajectory...
When I used a .45 my deer load was 75grs FFF Goex but I also killed a few with 60grs as well...
I'd say in a .54 day in day out, I'd be comfortable with 70-80grs of FFF easily...
Finally, with those higher powder charges you often have to add an over the powder wad as once I get to 90grs or so, patches start burning...
I've mentioned this before, when I built my .54 in 1988 I started with 120grs Goex FF as a load...After a few years I went to 100grs FF and now have moved to 80grs FFF Goex...Less powder means less fouling to clean and I can't tell any difference in killing power or trajectory...
When I used a .45 my deer load was 75grs FFF Goex but I also killed a few with 60grs as well...
I'd say in a .54 day in day out, I'd be comfortable with 70-80grs of FFF easily...
Finally, with those higher powder charges you often have to add an over the powder wad as once I get to 90grs or so, patches start burning...
10-10-2011, 10:57 AM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: Renfrew County, Ontario, Canada
Posts: 1,392
Congrats to the young fella!!! Lookin mighty proud.
As for loads. I looked in my Lyman BP book for the .50.
energy at 100 yd for Goex 2f, .490 ball, CCI#11 cap, 32 " barrel 1:60 twist
40gr / 321 ft lbs
50gr / 347
60gr / 375
70gr / 390
80gr / 407
90gr / 427
100gr / 449
110gr / 474
120gr / 502
Suprising little difference between 40 - 90 grs of powder. 106 ft lbs. That being said, I think it might be wise to keep shots to under 100 yds though.
The numbers are different (lower) for shorter barrels.
HA
As for loads. I looked in my Lyman BP book for the .50.
energy at 100 yd for Goex 2f, .490 ball, CCI#11 cap, 32 " barrel 1:60 twist
40gr / 321 ft lbs
50gr / 347
60gr / 375
70gr / 390
80gr / 407
90gr / 427
100gr / 449
110gr / 474
120gr / 502
Suprising little difference between 40 - 90 grs of powder. 106 ft lbs. That being said, I think it might be wise to keep shots to under 100 yds though.
The numbers are different (lower) for shorter barrels.
HA
10-10-2011, 11:13 AM
#10
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
You can throw energy tables out the window when talking about a lead round ball, they are terrible on paper...
One other thing...Because of that large frontal area the faster you push them the faster the slow down...Wrap your brain around that one...So adding more powder isn't the answer to gain energy...With the round ball increasing the bore diameter is the answer to adding more energy...
Finally....Everything you hear about too much powder behind PowerBelts also goes with roundballs...You can actually upset it so fast and flatten it out so that you get less penetration with more powder...
One other thing...Because of that large frontal area the faster you push them the faster the slow down...Wrap your brain around that one...So adding more powder isn't the answer to gain energy...With the round ball increasing the bore diameter is the answer to adding more energy...
Finally....Everything you hear about too much powder behind PowerBelts also goes with roundballs...You can actually upset it so fast and flatten it out so that you get less penetration with more powder...