what powder & bullets to use??

[oldfart]

i have a cva optima 50 caliber muzzleloader, i would like to know what might be the best powder and bullets to use in it. i used triple 7 last year with t.c. mag sabots, i did not like the 777 it left the crud ring so bad i could'nt load a second shot. i would like to be able to load and fire at least 3 shots before swabbing, cause if i miss my first shot i can continue to hunt and not have to go home to swab my barrel out. thanks for any help.
     

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

blackhorn 209 - Expensive for 10oz

American pioneer - Very weak and absorbs moisture easy.

Pyrodex RS imo is the most consistent powder out there. Sure its dirty. After 5 shots why not just run a damp cleaning patch down the bore to cut down the fouling?

I'd still peen that pin.

[bubba]

this is one of the things that happens with muzzleloading.  The powders are dirty. To me, that is part of the fun of shooting them.  I would en more worried about which one shots best and most accurate than which one is cleanest. I know it is a pain in the hunting woods, but at the range, I swab with windex between each shot.  This allows for the best accuracy because the barrel dirties more between shots and usually impacts accuracy.  It the woods, I am only depending on the one shot as that is all you are going to get anyway.  This is another fun and challenging part of muzzleloading. Anyone who thinks that you can take a muzzleloader and shoot it like a centerfire rifle is in for a major let down.  Another option is sell the CVA's and purchase a savage muzzleloader designed for smokeless powder.   Good luck  \and I hope it works out for you.  Me personally I shoot triple 7 in my huntsman, sidekick, and encore.  I swab between each shot at the range and rely on one shot in the woods.  I can reload in the woods if needed, but my mind set is I have one shot only.  My only hunting firearm that isnt a single shot is my double barrel side by side shotgun.  Just my two cents worth. 

[S.S.]

I use 2 fifty grain 777 pellets in mine.
 

[kodiakemt]

I use BM3 in mine. Yes the bottle I am using it a few years old, so I have no idea if they have changed, are still in business and the like.

[Graybeard]

I've never been a serious muzzle loader shooter but have owned and shot several of them both inlines and tradtional side hammer guns and Pyrodex is the ONLY powder I've ever used. I have settled on Pyrodex Select and it has never let me down. I likely don't shoot as many shots per outing as a dedicated muzzle loader shooter does but it has never been a problem fouling my barrels. In a .50 I use 100 grains equivilent and either Hornady Great Plains Bullets or the Buffalo Bullets Hornady basically copied and nothing else. I use same load in side hammer and inline guns.

[mangulator]

I found Pyrodex RS is the best for my needs and it shoots great in my muzzleloaders..

[Longknife 76]

Has anyone ever tried BLACK POWDER? Its worked for centuries!!!!!!!!!

[oldfart]

had a friend to come over, he brought me some pyrodex rs, and 295 grain powerbelt bullets. well i'm sold, shot 11 shots to set my scope, and the 11th shot loaded nearly as easy as the first. clean up wasn't bad, i don't mind cleaning as long as its after i'm thru hunting for the day. got right at 1 inch groups at 100 yds., and i found out pyrodex is cheap compared to the other substitutes. 1lb of pyrodex at my local gun shop was $14.95, and 20 powerbelt bullets were $16.95. now i'm set for this season, thanks to all who helped. i always heard pyrodex was dirty but its not at all, clean up took just a few minutes. thanks again.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

thats great to hear! My optima loved the 348 powerbelts.