?? for the hunters using powder pellets?

[teddy12b]

I am every bit of a novice & rookie when it comes to using a muzzleloader.  Last year was my first time hunting with one and even then I really limited my range because of my comfort with the gun. 

I’m already starting to get some doubts in the back of my mind for this year and it all comes from how many 50gr pellets are safe to use in a .50 caliber muzzleloader.  I have an encore that I intend to hunt with this year.  I have a load that shoots alright using (2) 50gr pellets and hornady sabots. 

The powder information I find tells me not to load more than (2) 50 gr pellets in a .50 cal. Muzzloader, but then I find the bullet companies say otherwise.  I’ve read that using (3) 50gr pellets is ok some cases. 

What’s going on here?  I don’t know how many pellets you can use and does it matter what kind of pellets they are?  777, …, etc. 

In any event I will be using my (2) pellets of 50gr behind the hornady 250gr sabots because they shot reasonably well in my rifle for hunting, but I want to understand how all this stuff works.

[treeclimber1]

if your rifle is a Mag. gun , then 3 pellets are OK.if it does not say Mag. on the barrel then, don't go over 2 pellets.
if your 2 pellets and the bullet you are using does a good job , then stick with it.

you can get other size pellets and try them to get a better set up.I have saw 35 gr. pellets.just a though.

when I go up to 3 pellets , my accuracy goes to pot.so I stick to the 2 pellet charge.

durning the off season is the time to play with the charge and projectiles. have fun , and be careful.

[mspaci]

2 pellets is plenty, my knight will take 3 but it isnt as accurate & kicks hard. With 2 I can easily shoot 150 yards & no kick.  Mike

[teddy12b]

Since writing this I have found my hunting load for this season.  (2) 50gr pellets and a 250gr hornady sabot.  It's the most accurate load I've found and I'm good to 150 yards, maybe further if I get another chance to practice.

[teddy12b]

I'm still using two 50gr pellets, but since I've added the nikon Omega BDC scope I can reach out to 200 yards easily.  I'm still curious about the 2 or 3 50gr pellet thing though.  Also curious about the new white hots pellets if anyone has any experience with those.

[mechanic]

I went back to loose powder.  The pellets are too limiting to me.  I might like 80 gr. with one bullet, 90 with the other, etc.  Those things cost too much for the supposed convenience IMHO.

[Buckskins & Black Powder]

Careful now, there are Triple 7 MAGNUM pellets that only require TWO pellets to = 150gr.  What ever pellets you buy, be sure to read the label on them.

[Forestclimber]

I went back to plain old 2F and #11 percussion caps.  You have to clean more, but i like it.

[12ptdroptine]

I have been up and down the pellet VS loose powder gamut... For me 110gr of FFG777 is where my gun like's to be..with a 250gr SST. But this year I am going to try some BH209 and see where it take's me. Drop