sidekick - light load

[davey]

have a 2005 .50 sidekick; youth wants to hunt with- whats lightest load (pyrodex pellets a 30, 50 combination) and bullet   for safe/accurate;  any ideas?

[PHATINJUN]

I don't use them but if you are using easy loading componets like the pellets I would look at maybe the lightest pure lead powerbelt or the lightest copper hollow point and 50gr pellet to start. I just don't know how much velocity it takes to get the thin copper plating to open up on impact. Kurt

[bubba]

I think I would go with 2 30 grain pellets and lead powerbelts or t/c cheapshot lead bullet/sabot combo.  The ideal thing would be loose powder to work up a load. 

[PHATINJUN]

I agree I forgot about the 30's . Don't know how sensitive to the recoil your youth is but the 80gr would give you even more chance at expansion. I am fairly recoil sensitive and even my .45 with what is a very stout load and heavy bullet with hard butt plate is no where near what a 20ga shotgun slug punches you with. Kurt

[OldSchoolRanger]

I have used a 50gr pellet, and the T/C Cheapshots (240gr bullet w/sabot), but I think that bubba's recommendation of the two 30gr pellets would probably work better. 
He's also right about working up a load,  with loose powder.  But, I recommend that you start him off with the pellets, it simplifies things, and allows him to concentrate on shooting.
I had my 12 year old nephew shooting two 50 gr pellets, with the Cheapshots, and it didn't faze him.

[Antietamgw]

The Buffalo Ball-et, a pretty light lead conical, were excellent for low recoil and good performance on deer.  We took a number of deer without any trouble.  I hear Buffalo Bullet is out of business but I still see their yellow boxes on shelves and at shows from time to time. If you find some around, give them a try.

[bikerbeans]

davey,
 
Went to the range this morning and took my 50 cal Huntsman, 24" barrel, not a Sidekick but close.  Was going to try reduced loads with 44 cal 240 grain LSWC and T/C 50/44 sabots and FFFG Triple 7.  THe 777 would not ignite, tried 3 times. Only other BP type powder I had was pyrodex 30 grain 44/45 pistol pellets.  Okay why not?  Loaded (2) of the pyrodex pellets and the 240 grain sabot bullet combo and hit the same POI at 50 yards as my regular load; 80 grain BH209, 45/50 MMP sabot, 385 grain .451 conical, winchester 777 209 primers.  I then tried this reduced pyrodex pellet load at 100 yards and put 5 shots into a 3.5" circle, I am shooting with a red dot scope w/o magnicfication so that is about the best group I can get at 100 yards with any load.  So this reduced load is probaby about the same velocity as my normal load - 1,400 FPS, light rain today so no chrony. 
 
I did a quick & dirty penetration test and a 240 grn LSWC pushed by (2) 30 grain pyro pellets will go through a 3/4" tough as nails oak board, 3/4" of exterior grade plywood and 3/8" of standard plywood and keep going.  Since the bullet went through almost 2" of wood I think it would go through a deer no problem.
 
I would equate the recoil to a 3" 410 shooting 3/4 oz of bird shot.  Not really much to an adult, to a kid I don't know.
 
BB

[Hunter6657]

Hornady has a Ball-et type bullet on the market called the PA Conical 240gr 50cal   I like to carry some of these when deer hunting to use if I need to do a "Coup de Gras". I used to shoot those polypatches with a round ball and with a 50gr pellet it would shoot to the same point of aim as a 100gr load and 295gr PB bullet in an inline rifle. Hornady also makes a sabot/polypatch for round balls.

[Jal5]

I use two 50 pellets with a 295 PB bullet and the recoil feels about like a 20 ga. shotgun. Get a good recoil pad on the Sidekick and it should be fine. Took a nice 10 pt. at about 40 yds. two years ago, went 25 yds and dead. I can shoot it very accurately out to 75 yds with that combination.
 
Joe