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Offline GH1

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.50 cal loads
« on: August 19, 2011, 03:30:17 PM »
 I just got my gun fitted with the 50 cal barrel, can anyone offer advice as far as powder & bullets? I'm going to be using this on deer at fairly close ranges, typically 50 yards or less. If I run into a pig I'll take a shot at it as well. I'd like to use a lead bullet as opposed to the jacketed type, either cast or swaged.
 I'm not opposed to a patched roundball either, I'm just looking for some ideas.
Thanks everybody.
GH1 :)
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Offline PHATINJUN

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #1 on: August 19, 2011, 07:24:57 PM »
Patched round ball probly won't work to well with your twist. I shoot No Excuses full bores with 90gr of BH209. Take a look at the sticky's there is also information. Also lots in prior posts. Kurt
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Offline Busta

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #2 on: August 19, 2011, 08:04:24 PM »
Congratulations. The Huntsman barrels are very accurate barrels, but unfortunately the ignition (primer carriers) leaves a lot to be desired. You will not be able to shoot Blackhorn 209 powder with the OEM breech plug. There are other options for ignition. PR Bullets makes a .25 acp plug that uses .25 acp brass and small rifle/pistol primers. I have several custom breech plugs for shooting bare 209 primers that work well with BH209.
 
So, if you intend to use the OEM breech plug and primer carriers, I would recommend Triple Se7en loose powder, NOT pellets. Triple Se7en Pellets are not 100% reliable in these rifles with the OEM breech plug. If you want to shoot pellets, then Pyrodex Pellets are the way to go. They have a dab of real Black Powder bonded to one end to aid in ignition.
 
For a bullet, as Kurt mentioned, the 460 gr No Excuses sitting on top of 70-80 grains VOLUME of Triple Se7en FFG or FFFG, with a fiber gasket wad between them.
 
Another great bullet would be the Bullshop 460 gr NEx, they are a clone of the No Excuses. They can also be sized from .500" to .5045", and have a better lube. They are less expensive as well. The only problem is that Dan does not cast only part of the year, from October to April. The rest of the year he is working his other job.
 
If you need more help, just ask. There is also a lot of good information, if you don't mind going back and digging it up.
 
 
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #3 on: August 20, 2011, 02:37:33 AM »
GH1,
 
+2 on the 460 grain, .501" No Excuses over a fiber wad with 75 grains of BH209 as they are very accurate out of my huntsman.  I also use the .451", 385 grain No Excuses conicals in a 50/45 MMP sabot (IIRC, this combo was suggested by Busta) with 80 grains of BH209 and this is a more accurate load with a tad more range.  Either load is capable of 1 to 2 inch 3 shot 100 yard groups.
 
BB
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Offline tscott

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #4 on: August 20, 2011, 07:34:17 AM »
I have shot just about everything in my Huntsman, from round ball to Powerbelts. All gave me acceptable deer accuracy. The load I now use for accuracy and knockdown power is: 90 gr. 777 loose, with the Winchester 777 primer. I have had no issues with the original orange primer carriers. Bullet is the Powerbelt 245gr. Balistic tip... This all shoots inside of 2" at 100 yards all day long.I have had folks at the range tell me, "I wish my centerfire was that accurate"! I have shot dozens of bucks with this load. Do not believe those bashing Powerbelt. All shots were quick recoveries!
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Offline GH1

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #5 on: August 27, 2011, 01:10:13 AM »
Does anyone have any experience with T/C Maxi Balls?
GH1 :)
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Offline Busta

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #6 on: August 27, 2011, 03:06:52 AM »
Quote from: GH1 on August 27, 2011, 01:10:13 AM
Does anyone have any experience with T/C Maxi Balls?
GH1 :)

Expensive, and not as good a choice as earlier bullets mentioned. The 1:28 twist really likes a 400+ grain full bore lead conical, with 430gr to 460gr being best IMO. I have some 430gr and 440gr White conicals that shoot just as well as the 460 gr No Excuses/Bullshops, but accuracy starts to wane when you get down below the 400 gr level.
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #7 on: August 27, 2011, 04:47:02 AM »
Quote from: GH1 on August 27, 2011, 01:10:13 AM
Does anyone have any experience with T/C Maxi Balls?
GH1 :)

GH1,
 
I shot the T/C Maxi Hunters & Maxi Balls in my 50 huntsman and a 50 CVA and they did poorly.  At 100 yards it was a pattern not a group.  I also tried the Hornady 385 Grain Great Plains conicals with the same bad results. 
 
BB
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MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline GH1

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #8 on: August 27, 2011, 11:27:32 AM »
 I should've waited to go shopping, I just bought a box of 285 gr Maxi-Hunters. 'DOH!
 I'm heading to the range tomorrow, I'll play with loads and see if I do as poorly as other folks have.
GH1 :)
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Offline Jal5

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #9 on: August 28, 2011, 09:07:37 AM »
I like a Powerbelt 245 gr either in flex tip or HP over 2 Pyrodex pellets 50 gr each. Very accurate to about 75 yds and have taken several deer with this combo. Not bad on recoil either out of my Sidekick, comparable to a 20 ga. shotgun. Took one of my biggest bucks to date with this load couple of years ago, nice 10 pt. and it didn't run farther than 30 yds.
 
Joe
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Offline GH1

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #10 on: August 30, 2011, 08:39:45 AM »
I found a company in Harison, Arkansas that makes sobots for muzzleloader use. Their name escapes me at the moment. Anyway, they're going to send me 1/2 a dozen that will allow me to use my 405 gr bullets from my .45-70. If it works I'll definately buy more. I'm all about minimizing my components.
GH1
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #11 on: August 30, 2011, 09:00:51 AM »
MMP also makes .458/50 cal sabots for MZs.
 
 
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Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline GH1

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #12 on: August 30, 2011, 01:53:05 PM »
MMP is the company I was referring to. I'm interested in their orange sabots, but my .45-70 bullets are sized @ .459".
I spoke one of their employees and expressed my concerns about .459" bullets and she said they'd work but they might be a tad tight. That's when she offered to send me the samples. I hope the work because I have about 400 .459's waiting to be fired.
Even if the .459's don't work it still might be more cost effective togo with a box of .458's. I'll have to crunch the numbers. Hopefully this weekend I'll get a chance to try them out.
GH1 :)
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Offline bikerbeans

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #13 on: August 30, 2011, 03:28:01 PM »
GH1,
 
I shoot 385 grain, 0.451 diameter conicals in a 50/45 sabot out of my 50 Cal Huntsman.  I limit this combo to 80 grains of BH209 or 777 as it is a tad stiff compared to the 250 & 300 grain sabots I was used to shooting.   It might be advisable to start lower, say 70 grains or so and work up slow to see how you & your gun like the 405 grain bullet/sabot combo.  Also, I doubt the extra .001" in bullet diameter will make a lot of difference in a Huntsman.  Good luck and let us know how it works.
 
BB
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RIP Tom: Tom Nolan, ( bikerbeans) passed away this afternoon (02-04-2021).

Why be difficult, when with a little extra effort you can be impossible?

Wife's Handis;  300 BLKOUT

MINE:  270W, 308x444, 44 Bodeen, 410 shorty rifled slug gun, 445 SuperMag Shikari, 45 ACP shorty,  45-70 Shikari, 45 Cal Smokeless MZ, 50cal 24" SS Sidekick, 50 cal 24" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Huntsman, 50 cal 26" Sidekick, 50-70 Govt Shikari, Tracker II 20 ga shorty, 20 ga VR Pardner, 20ga USH, 12ga VR NWTF, 12ga Tracker II shorty WITHOUT scope, 12ga USH, 10 ga  Pardner Smoothbore slug gun & 24ga Profino Custom rifled slug gun.

Offline jparedes

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2012, 04:25:50 AM »
GH1,
Hopefully you will read this one:  How did you do with the MMP sabots and the 405gr .459" bullets?
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Offline KIMBER45

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Re: .50 cal loads
« Reply #15 on: February 21, 2012, 12:25:38 AM »
Call me old fashion but I shoot conical Ultimate 1 .50 Conicals by Precision Rife pushed by 90 grains of black powder. I'm getting less than 2 inch groups at 100 yds.
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