Shoot! I forgot you were using a 45 sorry about that... To be honest I think the 200 might be a bit light for animal of that size unless you reduce the range... In the longer ranges the 45 will not retain the energy.

But they allow .30 cal ?

That's the difference between centerfires and muzzleloaders . I can hunt deer with a 223 or 22-250 but for muzzleloader it has to be at least a .45 cal bullet in my state

Tell us all the bad things about CVA muzzleloaders.

120 grains of blackhorn 209 and a two hundred grain Bloodline bullet from Knight will do the trick

How'd you end up going on this hunt?

I have use a 200 grain 50/40 for a wide variety of game including elk and a a 308 pound bear and thats field dress weight. With a load of 120 grains of Blackhorn at 2200 FPS placed behind the shoulder and through both lungs it has had a devastating effect.

But that 30 cal can have a lot more energy than the 45 ML... Also the states are concerned about a 45 cal. PRB which could then be legal if a 45 cal. ML were legal...

normally when a State outlaws the .45 caliber its because of the roundball. Their concern is that for large and or dangerous game animal, the .45 roundball just would not cut it. But we all know that with the introduction of sabots and the quality of projectiles now on the market, along with some excellent velocities due to powder advancements.. the .45 caliber muzzleloader is a very lethal caliber. But I can understand your concern on large and powerful game like the deer you describe. I have three or four .45 caliber rifles. And if I were going on the same hunt as you, with that same caliber.. the only projectile I would be comfortable with is a large conical bullet. Like a Bull Shop or No Excuses. Maybe Thor makes an all brass conical in that caliber. Its worth checking into. The reason is, while the velocity is not there, the penetration and down range energy is. I have a White M97 in .45 caliber and I would go on that hunt tomorrow with a 460 grain Bull Shop conical. I just think it is a very lethal weapon.

It sounds like an exciting hunt. Keep us posted on the projectile you choose and the outcome of the hunt. And good luck.

Tell you what, I have a Knight inline that will group 300gr Barnes MZ into an inch at 100 yards that I'll let you use...



Just pay for me to come along, I'll carry my .54 flintlock!!!