Which projectile to start?

[Nova]

I have a Traditions Deerhunter flinter w/ a 1 in 48" twist barrel. I've never really taken the time to work up a good accurate load, but plan to do so before this hunting season. I have some TC Maxi-Hunters in 275gr. that I would like to use for hunting, but would also like to keep shooting round balls for practice too. Should I start with the conicals and get a good load then see where the round balls shoot, or vice versa? What is a good starting point for FFg powder? 70 grains?

Thanks

[flintlock]

70grs of FF is a good starting point, I'd prefer FFF as it leaves less residue...

All I shoot are roundballs...I'd start with .490s and go to WalMart and buy a yard of cotton pillow ticking...Then wash it, dry it, cut into 1 1/4 - 1 1/2 strips, lube with SnoSeal and cut the ticking at the muzzle or loading block...

Fresh cotton ticking doesn't burn through as easily as prelubed patches of unknown quality and date of origin...

Anywhere from 70-100grs of FFF is plenty for whitetails in .45-.58 caliber rifles...

[Nova]

what is snoseal and where would I obtain it?

[Semisane]

I've tried dozens of lubes.  Haven't found anything better than plain old olive oil.  Put it on a stack of patches.  Massage them to assure they are all saturated.  Then wrap the stack in a couple of paper towels and squeeze out the excess oil.

[simonkenton]

If you want to use what the frontiersmen used, get a can of Old Zip patch grease.
Contains mutton tallow and beeswax.

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?cPath=22_99_317&products_id=3689

It works great. One can of this stuff will last for hundreds of shots.
If you are hunting whitetail, or wild hogs, you need look no farther than the patched round ball.
I have killed over  a dozen deer and hogs with the .490 round ball, it really lays the hammer on them

Elk were exterminated from Kentucky by the patched round ball, I think it will work for you on a whitetail deer.

[Nova]

Looks like I got some maxi-hunters that aren't gonna get used....

What is everyone's pet load for  a .490 PRB?

[coyotejoe]

I too like roundballs over 70-90 grains of Goex. You will have to do some trial and error experimentation to find the best load. You have both 2f and 3f to try out, .490" and .495" balls, various thickness of patches and an endless variety of lubes. You need to keep detailed records of what you have tried so that next month you're not re-doing the same thing. Those maxi-balls may indeed shoot very well and there is nothing wrong with them for hunting but they will kick like bloody murder from your light weight rifle.

[simonkenton]

Don't toss those maxi balls! They ought to be a great deer killer. They may shoot great in your rifle!
Try 'em with 60 grains of powder, and then with 70 grains. I wouldn't go past 80.
I doubt they will kick that badly with 70 grains, that would be boo-coo foot pounds of energy.

If you need to lube the maxi balls, Old Zip will work for that as well, it won't melt at room temp due to the high beeswax content.