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Author Topic: What is the "minimum" safe load in a .50 cal. muzz  (Read 1645 times)

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Offline EPD1102

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What is the "minimum" safe load in a .50 cal. muzz
« on: December 01, 2004, 04:47:47 AM »
I can find the maximum loads listed for all of the different muzzleloading rifles but I can't find a minimum load listed anywhere.
I just bought a NEF Huntsman .50 for my 11 year old son.  I don't want to load it any hotter than I have to in order to keep recoil down and help him enjoy getting into muzzleloading.  
For deer hunting, his shots will be less than 50-75 yards using Hornady 240-grain sabots.  
I was planning to use a 50-grain Pyrodex pellet and a 30-grain pyrodex pellet for a total of an 80-grain load.  I was just wondering if I can safely go any lighter and still get good performance on deer at relatively close range.  Would two 30-grain pellets for a 60-grain load be too light?
Thanks
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Offline AndyHass

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #1 on: December 01, 2004, 05:00:13 AM »
I used an 85 gr load with a similar bullet for years with great success.  The only shot that never acheived pass-thru entered through the tailbone, through 4 vertebrae, angled down thru the liver and lung, and lodged against the back of the sternum (ie 3 FEET of penetration!).
   I would think that 60gr would be sufficient IF he limited his shots to no more than 75 yards.  But I wouldn't be trying much further than that.
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Offline quickdtoo

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #2 on: December 01, 2004, 06:29:12 AM »
EPD1102, there is a Huntsman Muzzleloaders forum up in the Marlin & NEF/H&R Talk section. :wink:

http://www.graybeardoutdoors.com/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=134
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Offline EPD1102

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #3 on: December 01, 2004, 06:51:38 AM »
quickdtoo, I saw that forum, read through it, and didn't see anything specific about minimum loads.  I thought I would post here under inline muzzleloaders for information about .50 caliber muzzleloaders in general.  I thought I would get a better response here.  Thanks for keeping me pointed in the right direction though.
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Offline jbtazgrabber

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #4 on: December 01, 2004, 01:39:40 PM »
i wouldnt go under50 gr..i usally let them shoot 50 gr.. then load 75 gr. to shoot bambi..they wont fell it in the excitement...but they still think they are still shooting 50 gr. thats the trick... they will not get pushed around shooting 50 gr. and wont flinch....i have killed 3 deer with huntsman and 80 gr. rs loose with 250 gr. xtp this year so 75 will do it...
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Offline tradegun

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BACK IN THE OLDE DAYS
« Reply #5 on: December 02, 2004, 07:01:10 AM »
We used the general rule of thumb that was 1gr per caliber for paper and practice, then use 2 grs of powder for hunting. This was for good old 3F BLACK POWDER
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Offline EPD1102

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #6 on: December 03, 2004, 01:08:29 PM »
Well, it turned out that I didn't have to worry about a minimum load for the muzzleloader after all.  
I took my son to the range today and started him off with 80 grains of Pyrodex; a 50-grain pellet and a 30-grain pellet.  He didn't mind the recoil at all and really enjoyed all of the smoke. :grin:  
I loaded the first one for him to show him how and he loaded the rest by himself.  He shot about a 3" group at 50 yards with open sights and I was very impressed by his shooting and his "new" NEF muzzleloader.  He did an excellent job of following all of my instructions about muzzleloading and seems ready for opening day tomorrow.  
He got his first deer about two weeks ago during slug season.  Now maybe he can get his first buck with his muzzleloader.
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Offline rickyp

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #7 on: December 04, 2004, 04:07:06 PM »
Quote
He got his first deer about two weeks ago during slug season. Now maybe he can get his first buck with his muzzleloader.


don't put to much importance on getting a buck. any deer that a hunter takes fairly is a true trophy.

teach him that a deer head on the wall is nice but doesn't put food on the table. them antlers don't get soft enough to eat no matter how long you boil them :-D
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Offline EPD1102

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #8 on: December 05, 2004, 01:49:07 PM »
rickyp, I agree with you for the most part and I consider myself to be more of a meat hunter than a trophy hunter.  My family enjoys venison.  I'm just saying that I think i would be great for him to get his first buck using his muzzleloader to make it even more special.  We had a beautiful day in the woods today but didn't see any deer at all.  Maybe next weekend...
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Offline rickyp

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #9 on: December 05, 2004, 01:58:52 PM »
I persoaly enjoy every day I spend in the woods if I see a deer or not.
Bucks are always nice.

it is that tooooo many people think big bucks are the only deer that are worth shooting.
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Offline EPD1102

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #10 on: December 05, 2004, 02:05:31 PM »
Quote
it is that tooooo many people think big bucks are the only deer that are worth shooting.


I agree.
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Offline Bob_K

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Minimum charge
« Reply #11 on: December 06, 2004, 06:33:45 AM »
You might check your game laws.  In Virginia, the laws specify you must use at least 50 grains of black powder or black powder equivalent.
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Offline EPD1102

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #12 on: December 06, 2004, 08:25:31 AM »
Bob_K, thanks for that information.  I will check on that.  Right now, it seems that my concerns were a little premature.  He seems to be doing fine with the 80-grain load so we'll probably just stick with that.  
I still kind of wonder why the manufacturers don't list a minimum load the same way they list a maximum load.
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Offline LMM

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #13 on: December 06, 2004, 09:39:10 AM »
I'm still looking for it, I use Hodgdon Triple Se7en pellets.  Can't remember if it was in my manual for my muzzleloader (Traditions) or in the pamplet that came with the pellets.  I remember reading that 1 50gr pellet was minimum charge recommended if just target shooting.  When I find it will update post.


This found on Hodgdon's website:

Performance of TRIPLE SEVEN PELLETS is incredibly consistent! A single 50-grain Pellet is good for light target loads or small game loads while two 50-grain Pellets may be combined to provide a potent maximum 100 grain equivalent load for big game. Just drop a Pellet or two down the barrel, seat the projectile, cap the rifle and shoot!

50 Caliber - 50 Grain Pellets The original Pyrodex Pellet designed for use in 50 caliber, in-line rifles. A single 50/50 pellet may be used for a light target or small game load while two 50/50 pellets may be combined to provide a potent 100 gr. equivalent load for big game. Packed 100 pellets to the box and 24 pellets to the card.

Under the 30gr pellets they don't mention using a single 30gr pellet.  Under there load data they don't show any loads lighter than 80gr.  I know this isn't an issue for you anymore just trying to find the answer myself.  I can't find my muzzleloader manual (Traditions) but swear it had a statement in there about 50gr (pellets or loose) as a minimum charge.  Still looking for it.
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Offline brown-trout

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MINIMUM LOADS
« Reply #14 on: December 15, 2004, 11:58:46 AM »
CVA lists 50 grains as a mimimum for black powder substitute.....
i have used 40 grains of double F triple seven pushing a saboted .429 Hornady XTP hollow point weighing 180 grains...
this should give me about 1500 fps.......
about what e. keith intended for the 357, so it should be a stout enough close in deer load....brewed it up for my 10 year old.
BT
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Offline EPD1102

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What is the "minimum" safe load i
« Reply #15 on: December 15, 2004, 12:06:00 PM »
brown-trout, thanks for the info.  I have figured the load for my 11-year old but hopefully this will help someone else out.
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