how much is to much

[Myerslake2005]

A very frugal friend of mine believe the maximum amount of powder that is burned before the bullet leaves the barrel is 80 grains.  He loaded his muzzleloader in 10 grain increments from 70-130 grains of powder to determine what the maximum amount of powder would be burned before the bullet leaves the barrel.  He found after 80 grains there was no increase in velocity with the chronograph.  Yes the gun would kick more but that could be from adding the weight of the unburned powder to the bullet weight being pushed out of the barrel.

Has anyone ever done any similar to this?  I don't know anything about the gun, powder, bullet used by him.

[PA-Joe]

80 grains is more than enough for most North American game!

[Wolfhound]

A very frugal friend of mine believe the maximum amount of powder that is burned before the bullet leaves the barrel is 80 grains.  He loaded his muzzleloader in 10 grain increments from 70-130 grains of powder to determine what the maximum amount of powder would be burned before the bullet leaves the barrel.  He found after 80 grains there was no increase in velocity with the chronograph.  Yes the gun would kick more but that could be from adding the weight of the unburned powder to the bullet weight being pushed out of the barrel.

Has anyone ever done any similar to this?  I don't know anything about the gun, powder, bullet used by him.

It's a Myth. What happens is you reach the point of diminishing returns. You get less velocity for each increment increase. Also the barrel length, primer strength and bullet fit affects this. A tight fitting bullet will cause more powder to burn than a loose one. A long barrel burns more powder than a short one. A hotter primer burns more powder than a cooler one.

[chickenlittle]

The Lyman Black Powder Loading Manual by Fadala lists chrono'd loads for many calibers, bullets, and powder charges.