Author Topic: Which Dead Center bullet..... (Read 1916 times)

scienceguy · « **on:** February 20, 2004, 10:58:02 AM »

Guys,

I'd like to try the some of the Dead Center bullets in my T/C 50 cal. Encore. I intend to use them only for deer. Encore users, which bullet have you have the best luck with in terms of accuracy and terminal performance on deer? On paper the .44 caliber/260 gr. looks like a good starting point. What advice can you offer? Thanks!

scienceguy

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 20, 2004, 11:05:29 AM »

.40 / 50 220 gr.

sheephunterab · « **Reply #2 on:** February 20, 2004, 12:24:24 PM »

You'll likely want to keep your charge under 100 grains as most people that I know that have tried them in the Encore can't get them to group with higher charges. I'm sure there are exceptions and the only way to know for sure is to try them but don't be surprised if your groups open way up the faster you push them.

grouse · « **Reply #3 on:** February 20, 2004, 06:21:07 PM »

I use the 220grn .40cal and also the 300grn .44cal in my Encore.
They were amazing on deer this past hunting season. The farthest a
deer ran was about 35yds. Most of them just dropped. If you buy them direct you will save alot of money. I really can't imagine a bullet doing any better on game. You will also love how easy to load DeadCenters are.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 20, 2004, 07:53:18 PM »

They (.40 / 50 220gr. ) are good for 3/4" MOA to 2100 fps in my Encore, though others have reported 2250 fps or so.

With a pair of pellets, or 100 gr. T 7 FFg loose, you won't approach that, and it is no issue with the .44 / 300 gr.'s at all with similar charges.

sheephunterab · « **Reply #5 on:** February 21, 2004, 04:37:49 AM »

That's interesting Randy 1,850fps seemed to be about the maximum for the Dead Centers out of both my Omega and Encore and I know many others have said the same. Not sure what you are doing different but you seem to have the formula.

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #6 on:** February 21, 2004, 06:30:04 AM »

If there is one Dead Center that shoots in "the most" guns-- it is likely the .45 / 50 300 gr. That shoots an inch in the Austin & Hallecks, Savage 10ML with smokeless, etc., etc. It loads too hard in my Encore, however.

The Knights seem to like the .40 / 50 220 and the .44 / 50 300 DC. The Savage will shoot the Dead Center 40 / 50 240, 45 / 50 300, and 45 / 50 340s all sub-1" with smokeless. Toby Bridges found that the PR 275 / 300 / 330 QT's all shot well in his Savages with smokeless, and put those on his recommended load list as a result. The G2 Contender I have likes the 40 / 45 220 gr. Dead Center as well. Del Ramsey has shot deer with 195 duplex Dead Centers in his Omega, but he's hardly a believer in "as fast as possible."

So, there's not much really secret that I can see. Like anything else, it is just try as many bullets as you need to to get whatever level of velocity / accuracy you think you need. Barnes bullets have been historically painful for me to load, same with the 300 gr. SST's.

In jacketland, the 250 SST and 260 Winchester Platinum Tips have done well, with the 260 PT's the best-tested jacketed muzzleloading bullet out there-- by a huge margin. If I had to hunt with a jacketed bullet, the Platinum Tips would be it.

upnorth · « **Reply #7 on:** February 22, 2004, 04:48:30 AM »

my encore really likes the 275 gr d/c with 2- 50 gr pyro pellets. t-7 charge is about 90 gr. On a good day, I can put 3 rds under an inch. 300 gr. open's the groups up a bit, but still acceptable hunting accuracy.

DannoBoone · « **Reply #8 on:** February 22, 2004, 12:45:22 PM »

Just don't do like I did, scienceguy. I got totally impressed by the
accuracy Cecil got with his Encore using the 200gr 40/50's, and
promptly ordered 250 of them. Both my factory barrel and a custom
barrel simply will not do much better than 3" groups with any load
combination. As some say, that is Minute of Deer, and they have
knocked the jee-whillikers out of the three I've shot with them, but
would not have attempted the shots if they were over 100 yards.

I tried the 250gr 40/50 QT's just prior to 2d ML season, and they
grouped 2 1/4" @ 150 yards -- much more promising. Soon as it
warms up a little, I'm going to get one of PR's mixed packs before
making such a large order!!!

Anyone got need of a box of 125 of the 200 grainers? :cry:

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #9 on:** February 23, 2004, 06:03:05 AM »

Quote from: DannoBoone

Anyone got need of a box of 125 of the 200 grainers? :cry:

That might be Contender G2 medicine.

Carphunter · « **Reply #10 on:** March 17, 2004, 02:09:44 AM »

Quote from: grouse

... If you buy them direct you will save alot of money.....

What kind of deal do they offer if you buy direct? Is there different pricing than listed on their price list?

I was going to contact them...but wanted to check here if they offer a deal for 'Beard denizens, or any other group

RandyWakeman · « **Reply #11 on:** March 17, 2004, 02:49:09 AM »

Just buy in bulk if you know what you want . . .

grouse · « **Reply #12 on:** March 17, 2004, 03:17:40 PM »

Quote from: Carphunter

Quote from: grouse
... If you buy them direct you will save alot of money.....

What kind of deal do they offer if you buy direct? Is there different pricing than listed on their price list?

I was going to contact them...but wanted to check here if they offer a deal for 'Beard denizens, or any other group

Buying in bulk will save you money for sure. 125 or 250.
It takes about a week for me to get them.