deer hunting with muzzleloaders

I use a couple Savage muzzleloaders, both with 300 grain SSTs and black MMPs in the one and the supplied red ones in the other.42 grains of SR4759 in both. Usually the easy load sabots are junk with smokeless, but I tried them for the heck of it one day on my 4th savage and darned if it didn't shoot just as well as the tight ones. I'd have bet against that.

We've shot coyotes to moose with that bullet and haven't recovered one yet. They hit like a .300.

I use that same bullet/sabot over 68 grains of H4198.
 
I use that same bullet/sabot over 68 grains of H4198.

I was working with H4198 years ago and it was giving the .375 H&H a run for its money. Somewhere along the line I "temporarily" switched back to 4759 to get the recoil down for the kids, then started wondering just how much deader I expected to get a deer. Sort of stalled out with that load and never went back. Probably should, one of these days.
 
I generally shoot Lee REAL bullets in both .45 and .50 cal, powered by Pyrodex RS in a cap lock or FFG black in a flintlock. Sometimes shoot patched round ball. Don't ever shoot in lines or sabots.
 
Hornady 250 gr SST with 110 gr BH 209 powder, great recipe for my T/C ProHunter. The Hornady 300 gr SST's work very well also..
 
I dont like the way the Dead Centres work. Only ever found splinters and no exits. Seen some deer go a long ways being shot with them, seen deer shot at and you'd swear they didn't get hit at all. Didn't group worth a darn in my Encore either.

Same as the powerbelts, don't hold up.

Shoot a real rifle bullet that's been around for 40 years made to kill deer with and a MmP sabot.
 
Barnes Spit-fire T-EZ's 250g on top of 105 grains of Blackhorn 209 coupled with cci 209M primers are the ticket for my encore. Been shooting this combo for a few years and has yet to let me down........
 
I dont like the way the Dead Centres work. Only ever found splinters and no exits. Seen some deer go a long ways being shot with them, seen deer shot at and you'd swear they didn't get hit at all. Didn't group worth a darn in my Encore either.

Same as the powerbelts, don't hold up.

Shoot a real rifle bullet that's been around for 40 years made to kill deer with and a MmP sabot.

I've only shot 2 deer with Dead Centers, both at 60-70 yards and at 2350fps, both bullets held together on a quartering away shot and were recovered under the hide on the shoulder. The bullet mushroomed as much as possible and is almost a flat disc, I suspect it would do better at lower velocity/ longer range.
 
Barnes Spit-fire T-EZ's 250g on top of 105 grains of Blackhorn 209 coupled with cci 209M primers are the ticket for my encore. Been shooting this combo for a few years and has yet to let me down........

I’m using Barnes 290gr TEZ with 77gr (weighed) Blackhorn 209 with a CCI209M shotshell primer out of a CVA Accura. If im using my T/C Omega I’d use same setup but FED209A shotshell primer. :)
 
I've only shot 2 deer with Dead Centers, both at 60-70 yards and at 2350fps, both bullets held together on a quartering away shot and were recovered under the hide on the shoulder. The bullet mushroomed as much as possible and is almost a flat disc, I suspect it would do better at lower velocity/ longer range.

My results have been better as I have shot in the neighbourhood of 10-12 deer from 2yds right to 140 with the DC'sand I have yet to find a bullet. Always two holes, although sometimes with heavier bone involved things get messy on the far side. What tracking involved is usually easy as it is well marked. I have shot deer with a lot of different muzzleloader bullets and sabot combos over the years and most work very well, I simply like how flat the 195's shoot and I have used them in 3 different guns including a 54.
 
I shoot 90 gr by volume bh 209 and a 250 sst with a federal primer in a tc omega. still one of the best muzzleloaders made for accuracy potential if you ask me due to the action and no hinge pin. it shoots this load better at 100 yards than some rifles I own.

I tried 175 dc, 240 dc, federal 240 or 250 deep curl and the hornady 250 sst. nothing came close to the sst and the few deer its killed have been nothing to complain about. will keep using the load.


recently shot my brothers tc impact with bh 209 and a pellet powder and 4 different bullets with each powder. open sight 50 yards. all bullets went into the same 1.5 inch group wit both of us shooting. I couldn't believe it but it happened.
 
Nothing fancy here, a .54 caliber Thompson Center percussion Hawken with a 230 grain round ball and 90 grains of RS Pyrodex. The bush is thick where I hunt so if I get lucky, a shot should be under 50 yards.

One more week!
 
I dont like the way the Dead Centres work. Only ever found splinters and no exits. Seen some deer go a long ways being shot with them, seen deer shot at and you'd swear they didn't get hit at all. Didn't group worth a darn in my Encore either.

Same as the powerbelts, don't hold up.

Shoot a real rifle bullet that's been around for 40 years made to kill deer with and a MmP sabot.

I use the platinum power belts. Never had an issue never had one come apart even going thru both shoulders
 
Nothing fancy here, a .54 caliber Thompson Center percussion Hawken with a 230 grain round ball and 90 grains of RS Pyrodex. The bush is thick where I hunt so if I get lucky, a shot should be under 50 yards.

One more week!

0.495 home cast round ball and patch ahead of 65grains of FFFG.

.54 home cast lead ball/100gr FFG/Green Mt 1-70 twist TC Renegade

177 grain patched home cast round ball, 40 grains Pyrodex, NEF Huntsman, very accurate, 50 yards or less neck shots only, killed 2 in their tracks, very quiet
 
Black horn and PR bullets are the only way to go!!
Not necessarily the dead center I have had execelent results with the QT's and the HP's. several deer shot with these and always a perfect mushroom bullet just under the skin on the other side. Best accucary out of anything I've tried yet
 
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