The truth about muzzleloading!!!
12-16-2015, 06:43 AM
#121
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: VA.
Posts: 1,415
I look at that plastic skirt as functionally nothing more than a patch used as a wad with the exception of being semi attached to the bullet. They do fly well out of my 50 cal TC, load easily but at least IMO don't perform on game as well as a saboted Barnes which load really hard out of my 50 cal. My problem using them for hunting is the difficulty of reloading in the field if needed. If I foul a barrel then load for the hunt that 3rd load if necessary is hard.
12-16-2015, 07:04 AM
#122
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,605
Haven't thought of that...interesting. That's the fun part about ML shooting. Improve one aspect and it impacts another. The ying and yang of it all. I wonder if there ever will be the "perfect fit" on any given gun. Probably so but at a cost of time and money. I am mainly a hunter not a shooter and I am not as dedicated or have the time to fine tune to the extent that many of the experts on this forum do. Fun to learn from your posts though.
12-16-2015, 07:33 AM
#124
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: VA.
Posts: 1,415
CI, just a couple of additional thoughts. While my above statement is a nice option, hunt conditions definitely have an impact on application of the above. If the animal is down and requires a finisher, that's fine. If the animal takes the first shot and remains on it feet or is still able to move off, follow up shot distance becomes very important. In this case, the trajectory of the follow-up load must be known. Bullets of like SD don't always have similar flight characteristics. This is more critical with bullets of greater SD difference. If you hunt elk and whitetail w/your MZ, this is more important to consider. With whitetail, SD spread may not be as critical, but verify that trajectory is similar between bullet brands. It is a viable option, keeping in mind that first shot is most important.
Last edited by Game Stalker; 12-16-2015 at 07:55 AM.
12-16-2015, 08:14 AM
#126
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,605
Yeah the follow up killing shot if necessary at close range wouldn't matter but a second shot if needed should be the same bullet/ load. I always used Pyrodex loose and pellets with both my 54 and 50. I never tried any other propellant and from what I understand the Pyrodex is one that leaves the most fouling. I just hate to switch since I have quite a bit of both forms. I understand the BH209 is cleaner. What are the pros and cons with respect to a comparison with Pyrodex.
12-16-2015, 08:18 AM
#127
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: VA.
Posts: 1,415
One thing I can say about PB's is that loading them was easier.
12-16-2015, 08:20 AM
#128
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Feb 2011
Location: Colorado
Posts: 9,557
CI
BH is much more powerful than Pyrodex.
Non corrosive, or very close to it. That's important if you hunt with a fouled bore.
Doesn't absorb moisture.
Very consistent accuracy. I'd say better than any other sub.
No swabbing ever needed when shooting.
Doesn't make breech plugs stick. On a CVA I run the BP bone dry.
The only con is it's expensive.
BH is much more powerful than Pyrodex.
Non corrosive, or very close to it. That's important if you hunt with a fouled bore.
Doesn't absorb moisture.
Very consistent accuracy. I'd say better than any other sub.
No swabbing ever needed when shooting.
Doesn't make breech plugs stick. On a CVA I run the BP bone dry.
The only con is it's expensive.
Last edited by Muley Hunter; 12-16-2015 at 08:22 AM.
12-16-2015, 08:27 AM
#129
Dominant Buck
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: On an Island in Vermont
Posts: 22,605
How much more is it and does it come with pellets? If more powerful does the amount change much from Pyrodex and how do you get a comparable load. I know many of the experienced guys like loose powder for consistency but a few of my hunting experiences with my 54 which I loaded with loose are laughable. Couple the excitement, cold hands and the sight picture of a shaking hunter standing in snow with a big black stain on the snow all around the gun is priceless. 
Last edited by Champlain Islander; 12-16-2015 at 08:30 AM.
12-16-2015, 08:28 AM
#130
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: VA.
Posts: 1,415
Yeah the follow up killing shot if necessary at close range wouldn't matter but a second shot if needed should be the same bullet/ load. I always used Pyrodex loose and pellets with both my 54 and 50. I never tried any other propellant and from what I understand the Pyrodex is one that leaves the most fouling. I just hate to switch since I have quite a bit of both forms. I understand the BH209 is cleaner. What are the pros and cons with respect to a comparison with Pyrodex.