Hornady saboted hard ball 167gr for .50cal Muzzleloader

[PaulT]

Hi guys,

I started shooting with my new Tradition some Hornady saboted hard ball 167gr for 50cal black powder muzzleloader rifle. They are very accurate in my rifle and recoil is really manageable.
What I want to know is if any of you guys hunted deer whit these bullets and how did they perform. On Hornady site, they claim it can be used for thin skinned animal such as deer up trough tough skinned animal like moose.

The load I am using is 90gr T7 loose powder with these 167gr hard ball. Recoil is mild compare to other loads and bullets combinations I tried (120gr + Nosler 300gr saboted bullet) so If they do the job, I would stick with the Hornady ones.

Thanks for your inputs.

PaulT

 

[Dantforth]

A real kicker.....

I have been using "Great Plains" cast lead bullets which I believe are 285 grains over 80 grains....volume....of 777. My rifle is a T/C Hawken. This load shoots nicely but kicks the hell out of me. I will try your formula but wonder if the ball would have enough "poop" to kill a deer?

 

[Huntsman]

I have shot the same sabot hardball outta my NEF Huntsman,yes I did find they were accurate too,I was using two 777 pellets.I'd feel confident using the Hardballs for coyotes right up to deer,nothing bigger though.Although the penetration is quite good,I feel IMO they lack the oomph needed to succesfully put down larger game than deer with one shot.
(I do most of my hunting from treestands f.y.i.)