I know most of you here are highly experienced, but for the novice I thought I'd throw this out there, especially with the all talk of 150 grain magnum loads.

The old 45-70 round used a 45 caliber bullet with 70 grains, yep 70, of black powder. About a 135 years ago, this cartridge (45-70) killed train car loads of buffalo out to 500 yards. A fellow by the name of Billy Dixon once killed an Indian at over 1500 yards. Admittedly this was a "lucky" shot.

Today, I shoot a modern in-line muzzle loader (Thompson Center Encore) that can handle up to three 50 grain pellets. That's over twice the powder used in the old 45-70.

I've settled on two pellets of either Pyrodex or 777 for a total of 100 grains of powder. Now I don't claim to be an expert, but when starting out, don't jump to the 150 grain loads. They'll knock your fillings loose. I know some of the gun shops are selling this guns as Magnums, but start out small and increase to a level that you are proficiant at.

And finally remember, your shooting a black powder gun. It's flight path is like a rainbow. I'm a fairly good shot and don't shoot deer over 125 yards. Again, start out close and practice, practice, practice.

Good Luck!

Good info! And I found out that sometimes lower powder is more accurate. I am going to be hunting elk next fall and I just purchased a new Omega. Been trying to get powerbelts to group. The didn't until I dropped to 90 gr (roughly equvielent to 100-105 gr pyrodex) with 348 gr bullets and they are grouping great!

Sometimes less is more, and I know that this load is more than adequate to take an elk out to 100 yards, which is my max range with open sights.

txhunter I learned the same lesson you did with powerbelts. The first bunch I had I tried all the magnum loads and after seeing the group decided this was not for me. A friend told me to cut the charge to 80 grains and work my way up. At 90 grains of loose Pyrodex powder, the 348 grain aero tips shot fantastic. I know this would make an excellent elk load. It should give you great penetration and release a lot of it's energy in body for the shock effect you need to bring them down.

Of all the rifles I have, not one of them shoots its best groups with a maximum load it can handle. The only one that comes close is the Black Diamond XR and even at 120 grains of loose powder it will hold tight with certain projectiles.....

I agree RCD - and ayway 100 gr is all you need. Any more powder is just wasted out the muzzle. The guns will take the 150 grs but why should you use it.
I've been shooting 100gr in my MLs for years, out of both my flintlock and my in-line.