Lyman DEERSTAKER carbine question

[Old Lucky 01]

Okay...starting over with this post...I'll word my question VERY carefully:

I would like an opinion on what load/powder charge would work best for deer from a 50 cal percussion Lyman Deerstalker carbine with a 1-24" twist and a 20" barrel length.  I will use a #11 cap, since it's a sidehammer traditional muzzel loader and I would prefer to use loose 777 powder.  I have only used 1-48" twist traditional guns in the past, and none of those previous loads seem to work well in this type of barrel.

Thanks in advance, any information would be appreciated. 

[necchi]

I had the Cabelas carbine with the same fast twist, same short barrel I think 22" though.
I used T7 and tried 3 different maxi type bullets, The 2 REAL sizes and a T/C Maxi.
 I worked those bullets in 5grn increments from 70-100, (5 shot groups) then tried the same with an Ox-yoke overpowder wad, again in 5grn incs 70-100. I couldn't get anything better than pie-plate groups at 50 yards with that thing ! 

I finally brought it back to the store for "in store" credit and got other gear. I wish I could give ya some better news but that gun just didn't work for me. I did think that it may have worked better with the newer type projectiles, but didn't want to spend MORE money trying to experiment with those.
I really think loose powder is key because you have more options available for the charge, but maybe the fellers on the modern board can give you a few tips with their style of bullet

[Old Lucky 01]

Necchi; Thanks very much for the info...and Happy Thanksgiving!

[sman]

I am shooting a Traditions Buckskinner Carbine.  It has a 20 or 21 inch barrel with 1:20 twist.  I am shooting 60gn. of FFF   Goex with a Hornady PA Conical.  They say this conical is for 1:66 twist but my carbine will touch holes at 75yds. with this load.

[AlbanyCO]

Nothing for nothing, but I would skip the triple 7 in a sidehammer gun. t7 soaks up water like a sponge making it have a higher ignition temperature than either real black powder or pyrodex. I think you are asking for a misfire by using it in a sidelock. But, if it's all you got....

I have a similar gun, a traditions deerhunter. Different twist rate, but I found that 85-90 grains of powder gave me the best accuracy. You really just have to try a few different loads and let the rifle tell you what to use. As far as a bullet, I would give the hornady great plains bullet a try. It hammers deer, is fairly easy to load and comes pre-lubed. It just flat works.

[Old Lucky 01]

Thanks for the replies....I just bought some of the Hornady Great Plains bullets....I will try them out as soon as possible.  I have never had and misfire problems with 777 loose....seems to work fine in the three conventional BP rifles I've used over the years.  I'll do some experimenting and some hunting to see what works the best.  One last question;  Does anyone have a rough idea of the velocity from a 20" barrel with 80 grains of loose 777 and an average 250 gr weight projectile?   

[Junior1942]

I had the Cabelas carbine with the same fast twist, same short barrel I think 22" though.
I used T7 and tried 3 different maxi type bullets, The 2 REAL sizes and a T/C Maxi.
 I worked those bullets in 5grn increments from 70-100, (5 shot groups) then tried the same with an Ox-yoke overpowder wad, again in 5grn incs 70-100. I couldn't get anything better than pie-plate groups at 50 yards with that thing ! 

I finally brought it back to the store for "in store" credit and got other gear. I wish I could give ya some better news but that gun just didn't work for me. I did think that it may have worked better with the newer type projectiles, but didn't want to spend MORE money trying to experiment with those.
I really think loose powder is key because you have more options available for the charge, but maybe the fellers on the modern board can give you a few tips with their style of bullet

I suspect if you'd tried that rifle with Pyrodex RS one or more of those loads would have shot just fine.

[cwlongshot]

I don't shoot mine too much but in my Lyman TRADE rifle in 54 cal a 70gr charge of Pyrodex RS, a great plains bullet and a musket cap produces nice groups and kills whitetails easily.

CW

[Snowshoe]

I tried 777 in my Deerstalker [1in 48"] and my wifes traditions Deerhunter and couldn't get it to shoot worth a hoot. Real black powder and Pyrodex worked good though. I hope that the Great Planes bullets work for you, if not don't give up. Keep trying other bullets, you might even try paper patching a Lee Mini. Idid that in my rifle and after a bit of fooling around found a load that cut one ragged hole at 80 yards., recoil was a bit stiff for me though.

[Lawful Larry]

I have the Hawkens Carbine with the same twist rate and love this gun.  


275 gr. Maxi Hunter:



350 gr. Maxi Hunter: