209x50 Bullet Caliber

[Anonym]

Hey folks!  I've recently joined the forums and this is my first post, so I apologize if this topic has already been covered.

I've recently purchased a s.s. 209x50 for this years deer season and decided that I was going to shoot Dead Centers out of it after so many people raved about their performance.  

After much research on what caliber and weight to shoot out of my ML for the best accuracy, I had picked out a .40 cal in either a 220 or 240 grain bullet.  It seemed the smaller calibers were getting better all-around performance and was quite satisfied with my choice and was about to place an order for the .40/240's.

Anyway, to make a long story short and cut to the point, State (Indiana) regulations say that all ML long guns (.45 & .50 cals) must use a minimum bullet size of .44 caliber!   :cry:   I had to order the .44 cal in 260 grains to keep within regulations.

My questions are to find out if anyone has used this particular weight/caliber in a 209x50 and what the results were.  Also, I wanted to see if anyone else has similar regulations that they have to deal with!  What would the chances be of me getting busted during muzzleloader season shooting a .40 cal bullet?  Would DNR go so far as to have you show them what you are shooting out of your muzzleloader during season?

Thanks,

~Anonym

[Brian]

Anonym... I may be wrong as I am new to the sport of muzzle loading but I think because you have a 209x50 the 50 designates you must shoot a .50 caliber bullet through it. I don't think a .45 will fit. Again I am new to this sport, but this is my understanding.

I will be trying .50 cal 240gr Hornady XTP's and two T-7 pellets which will put me at about 100gr of black powder! I have heard you get more accuracy with a heavier gr bullet but I am going with the 240gr if I don't see what I like I will try the 300gr XTP's next.

Hope I'm not misleading you!

[Anonym]

Brian,

I was referring to the caliber of the projectile itself.  You can have smaller caliber bullets but the plastic sabot is what fills it out to .50 caliber.  I'm not positive, but most .50 cal sabots you get have the .44 cal bullet.  You might want to check your 240grains though.  That's either a light .44 or could be a .40 cal.  

They may not be that strict w/ the regulations though.  I don't know for sure.  That's why I was posting this question.

~Anonym

[carolcann]

first, why break the law? If your state has a minimum requirement, follow it. I don't think it is very good form to ask others how to commit an offense here or on any forum.

Besides, there's little to be gained over any of the dozens of full-caliber projectiles or .429 bullets with sabots.

I've settled on 295 gr (aerotip) Powerbelt bullets with either 110gr T7 powder or two T7 pellets. I get groups inside two inches at 100 yards.

Some like sabots but I really like the performance and ease of loading with the PB bullets!

[upnorth]

Being in the same city as precision bullets, I had the chance to really put them through the ringer. for my encore, 2-50gr pyrodex pellets, 275 gr dead center, 3 rds a little larger than a cloverleaf, all inside a 1" square at 100 yds. the 300 gr. opened up a bit, but still great for hunting.

[Anonym]

Ok.  Sounds great!  Thanks UpNorth.  That's what I was hoping to hear.  No, I didn't want to intentionally break the law or I would have kept my original order for the smaller caliber bullets.  I'm sorry for making it sound like that and apologize to everyone on the board.

Thanks again,

~Anonym

[RandyWakeman]

Anyway, to make a long story short and cut to the point, State (Indiana) regulations say that all ML long guns (.45 & .50 cals) must use a minimum bullet size of .44 caliber!   Thanks,

~Anonym

Same regs here in IL, making no sense. The bullet of choice (Encore / Knight Elite) for me is the .44/50 green saboted 300 gr. Dead Center.

[RandyWakeman]

Being in the same city as precision bullets, I had the chance to really put them through the ringer. for my encore, 2-50gr pyrodex pellets, 275 gr dead center,

There is no 275 gr. Dead Center.