Another Hornady FPB report

[glwenzl]

It’s been at least 4 maybe 5 years since I have shot any of my muzzle loaders and have lost touch with all the new developments. I have been accustomed to shooting only black powder with either ball & patch in my T/C Hawkens and also my handgun or BP with a sabot/.44 HP XTP in my in line ML-700

It all started with a new camo Nikon Optima ML scope with BDC and Warren camo rings to match my SS/ML-700. Then while waiting on my wife at Wal-Mart I happened on to a new bullet that I had never seen or heard of before from Hornady, a 50 cal 350 gr FPB. The looks of it got me excited and decided that although 350 grs was way more bullet than I actually wanted the tip plus the length and the cup base made throw it in the cart along with 1 lb of RS Pyrodex powder. (The phone call to a saubier mentor actually put me over the edge)

I bore sighted the scope in today at around 25 yards and the second shot took me just a lil off on the windage so I moved to the 100 yard mark. Not knowing anything about what I was doing just enough rounds here get it dead on and was also getting familiarized with this combo and how often to clean it.

I first noted that it was difficult to get the cup based bullet started but after a few of em it was easy and just needs to be started real straight. I was also worried about smashing the red tip but that was really no concern… Although I had a new firing pin and nipples for both musket caps and 209s I just used my old percussion caps as I have a bunch of them…

Then I was going to start out at 100 grs of P. powder but decided on 120 grs (the max my measure will hold). At 100 yards it was very impressive and I new that there was no doubt this thing was going to shoot well…

Quickly moving out to the 200 yard mark and knowing about what drop I could somewhat expect according to the Hornady chart that came with the bullets I placed the cross hairs about that high…. The 225 yard circle in the scope lined up alomst perfect and I decided to take a poke…. I was surprised to see that I was shooting about dead on elevation and what appeared to be 1” to the left. (Talk about some SH luck)

Muzzle velocity was around 1580 fps and I wanted 1600 so I tapped my 120 gr measure and got enough in to get 1620 fps where it seemed to shoot even better….

The last of my 15 bullets was shot here at 200 yards. The last 3 shot group measured 1.750”. I actually think it could have been better....

The barrel stayed cleaner than I expected, it was more fun shooting than I expected (I have arthritis and recoil puts the hurt ion me sometimes).The 200 yard groups was way better than I had ever dreamed of…. The Nikon scope was also outstanding taking all the guess work out of it…

This Rem ML-700, Nikon scope and awesome FPB bullet from Hornady are an awesome combination and doesn’t seem like it should bear the name muzzle loader anymore….

As much as I would like to try 209s I think I’ll just stay with what I got through deer season….. Also got a report that the new Buckhorn powder made by Western Powders is maybe one of the best substitute powders out there?

Here is some info on the bullet

http://www.hornady.com/story.php?s=770

http://www.chuckhawks.com/hornady_FPB_bullets.htm

[Busta]

glwenzl,

Thanks for the report, and if I were you I wouldn't change a thing if you are shooting like that. I think you are set for the season with that combo. Guys have been shooting elk in Colorado with the FPB's and 90 to 110 grains of Blackhorn 209. You should be OK with 120 grains of Pyro, 110 grains BH209 is almost the equivelant of 150 grains of black powder or 3 pellets. I was initially concerned with these bullets fragmenting like the PowerBelts do when using too much powder, but so far have not heard any reports of that nature. Good luck!

[glwenzl]

You’re welcome... I really wanted to try something other than the percussion caps (also wanted to try the Buckhorn 209 powder) but like you said I don't plan on changing a thing (at least for this deer season)… Thanks for the info on the BHP

[glwenzl]

At 0450 this morning (right before I shoved off to work) and in a light rain I decided to go look for these slugs… I found two of em weighing in at 324.1 grains & 334.2 grains…. These are the 350 gr bullets that were shot at 200 yards. The bullets penetrated thin sheet metal, insulation, stainless sheet metal, then another piece of stainless, insulation and finally the last piece of sheet metal before driving itself into old treated 8X8 wood cribbing about 3/4” deep on one and 1.25” deep on the other…..

Also pictured is the ML 700, Nikon Omega BDC and warren rings.




Note the deep riffling marks indication good seal between the bullet and the barrel… also brass is in the lead and sort of looks like it has a brass core???

[Swampman]

I want to try these real bad, but they are so expensive.  Same for the Blackhorn 209.  $1.00+ a shot makes practice shooting off limits for me.

I'll also need $50.00 breechplug conversions for both of my guns in order to use the BH209 powder.

[glwenzl]

Not that it helps any but I see where the BH powder only takes 120 grs to be equivalent to 150 of BP or Pydx...

For me I'll wait with the BH powder right now but certainly won't give up the Hornady FPBs just because they are high priced. I won't do that much practice and they are worth there weight in gold for that hunting trip....

Luckily I have the kit for my ML 700 that I bought a few years back but won't need it until I decide to switch up to BH powder.... Have way too many percussion caps right now anyway...

[glwenzl]

looks like the price is getting better all the time


http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=0036600&fromsearch=yes

[Swampman]

That is a better price!  I may see if they can add it to my current backorder.

[Bob the Cynic]

I tried them out of my Hawken the other day.  They shot ok.  I'm not sure that they'll do anything that several other projectiles won't do just as well though.