Recommended Bullet for Inline ML?

L'derry · June 22, 2009, 08:18 PM

Hi,

I'm looking to get your recommendation on a 50 cal. bullet or sabot and powder load to use in my inline. I'm using a Winchester Apex (1 twist in 28"). I'm looking to get tight groups at 100 yards.

I've tried combinations of 150 grains, and 100 grains of Triple Se7en pellets with 295 and 245 grain PowerBelts. None did that well.

I'm not hung up on using pellets. (As a matter of fact, I'd prefer loose powder because it worked well in my side lock). With some concensus around a bullet or powder load combo, I'll try a few and compare them.

Thanks for any info.

Pahoo · June 22, 2009, 08:38 PM

I have no problem in most of what you have listed. I find that you can sneek up on a load from the bottom or jump in at the top, till you find your best choice. If it were me, I'd leave the PowerBelt and 150 grains for now. I personally do not care for pellets, sticks, 209's or any high priced projectiles. I live in the midwest and most of my deer shots are under 100 yds. Start out with 70 grains of 777 and work up 5 grains at a time. I've got a bunch of fancy projectiles but mostly use 230 or 240 .44 lead pistol bullet in a hornady sabot. Both of my hunters have been converted to a Musket primer. Oh yes, my hunting load is 90 to 95 grains of loose 777. While you are looking, try some of those buffalo lead sabots. They shot well for me. Good luck and ...

Be Safe !!!

rantingredneck · June 22, 2009, 08:41 PM

I've been having very good luck with 2 777 pellets (100 grs.) and a Hornady SST 250 gr. speed sabot. It's the one with the stick out the back that goes through the holes in your pellets. Loads as one unit.

I had good luck with 150 grs too, but didn't feel like beating myself up with it anymore. 3 shot 1-1.5" groups at 100 yds. and excellent results on game with 100.

FrontierGander · June 22, 2009, 09:53 PM

i had the .45 apex. amazing accuracy!

with the .50 i'd try 70gr pyrodex P ( thats what i start off with) , winchester 777 primer and the 295gr powerbelt. Muzzleloaders can be very very picky on the type of primer you use and what type of powder.

bejay · June 23, 2009, 12:54 AM

would try loose powder first before you changed your bullet type and start around 80 grains and move up to heavier loads to see what gives the best accuracy. you will likely see a noticable difference just using loose powder.

arcticap · June 23, 2009, 02:23 AM

Are you swabbing the barrel clean with a tight patch between shots?

Nearly every one of these customer reviews/posts/threads list a favorable load.

http://reviews.basspro.com/2010/48924/reviews.htm

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/fb.aspx?m=2841015

http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=3271272

simonkenton · June 23, 2009, 06:53 AM

Hornady 250 SST.

PetahW · June 23, 2009, 08:10 AM

If it was my rifle, I would drop Powerbelt use, and use 300gr saboted slugs over two 100gr pellets - which gives me 1 1/2" 100yd groups from my T/C .50 inline.

June 22, 2009, 08:18 PM	#1
L'derry Member Join Date: November 6, 2008 Location: NH Posts: 63	Recommended Bullet for Inline ML? Hi, I'm looking to get your recommendation on a 50 cal. bullet or sabot and powder load to use in my inline. I'm using a Winchester Apex (1 twist in 28"). I'm looking to get tight groups at 100 yards. I've tried combinations of 150 grains, and 100 grains of Triple Se7en pellets with 295 and 245 grain PowerBelts. None did that well. I'm not hung up on using pellets. (As a matter of fact, I'd prefer loose powder because it worked well in my side lock). With some concensus around a bullet or powder load combo, I'll try a few and compare them. Thanks for any info.

June 22, 2009, 08:41 PM	#3
rantingredneck Senior Member Join Date: January 12, 2007 Location: North Carolina Posts: 4,728	I've been having very good luck with 2 777 pellets (100 grs.) and a Hornady SST 250 gr. speed sabot. It's the one with the stick out the back that goes through the holes in your pellets. Loads as one unit. I had good luck with 150 grs too, but didn't feel like beating myself up with it anymore. 3 shot 1-1.5" groups at 100 yds. and excellent results on game with 100. __________________ NRA Member NC Hunter's Education Instructor PCCA Member (What's PCCA you ask? <- Check the link)

June 22, 2009, 08:38 PM	#2
Pahoo Senior Member Join Date: February 16, 2006 Location: IOWA Posts: 8,783	I have no problem in most of what you have listed. I find that you can sneek up on a load from the bottom or jump in at the top, till you find your best choice. If it were me, I'd leave the PowerBelt and 150 grains for now. I personally do not care for pellets, sticks, 209's or any high priced projectiles. I live in the midwest and most of my deer shots are under 100 yds. Start out with 70 grains of 777 and work up 5 grains at a time. I've got a bunch of fancy projectiles but mostly use 230 or 240 .44 lead pistol bullet in a hornady sabot. Both of my hunters have been converted to a Musket primer. Oh yes, my hunting load is 90 to 95 grains of loose 777. While you are looking, try some of those buffalo lead sabots. They shot well for me. Good luck and ... Be Safe !!!

June 22, 2009, 09:53 PM	#4
FrontierGander Senior Member Join Date: January 30, 2009 Location: Boncarbo,Colorado Posts: 651	i had the .45 apex. amazing accuracy! with the .50 i'd try 70gr pyrodex P ( thats what i start off with) , winchester 777 primer and the 295gr powerbelt. Muzzleloaders can be very very picky on the type of primer you use and what type of powder.

June 23, 2009, 12:54 AM	#5
bejay Senior Member Join Date: August 22, 2008 Posts: 195	would try loose powder first before you changed your bullet type and start around 80 grains and move up to heavier loads to see what gives the best accuracy. you will likely see a noticable difference just using loose powder.

June 23, 2009, 02:23 AM	#6
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	Are you swabbing the barrel clean with a tight patch between shots? Nearly every one of these customer reviews/posts/threads list a favorable load. http://reviews.basspro.com/2010/48924/reviews.htm http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/fb.aspx?m=2841015 http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=3271272

June 23, 2009, 06:53 AM	#7
simonkenton Senior Member Join Date: April 25, 2008 Posts: 891	Hornady 250 SST.

June 23, 2009, 08:10 AM	#8
PetahW Senior Member Join Date: September 19, 2008 Posts: 4,678	If it was my rifle, I would drop Powerbelt use, and use 300gr saboted slugs over two 100gr pellets - which gives me 1 1/2" 100yd groups from my T/C .50 inline.