NEF Huntsman 50 cal and full bore cast bullets

Goodwin81

Goodwin81

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I recently purchased an NEF Huntsman in 50 cal. The rifle has been upgraded with a Precision Rifleworks breech plug that uses a 209 primer and gets rid of the crappy factory ignition system. It's my understanding that most folks shoot saboted bullets in these riflles. I'm not overly fond of saboted bullets and am wanting to cast a full bore diameter conical (Maxi bullet) to shoot over some Blackhorn 209. My rifle was produced in 2003 and has a 1:28" twist and should shoot a conical well. I've slugged the bore of the rifle and came up with 0.501" bore diameter. I cast a lot for BP cartridge guns and always use bullets 0.002" over bore diameter for best accuracy.
Im concerned about ordering a mold dropping bullets at 0.503" and getting them started down the muzzle with a ramrod or short starter. I'm thinking of finding a bullet in the 350 grain range that has a tapered heel for easy "startability". Thoughts and input welcome, thanks in advance.
 
Nice idea BUT, I’m not sure having a tapered heel will give optimal results accuracy wise. I’m inclined to think a flat base is more accurate.
I’ve been away from BP for a decade and am just starting to get my gear organized. I use to use a piece of that plastic cutting board you get from Crappy Tire, drilled to appropriate size to grip my bullet full length. Once positioned over the muzzle, I’d place a VERY SHORT starter on the tip, then give a sharp smack with a tiny plastic mallet. That starts it enough to then proceed to a short starter…..etc.
 
The "old guys" of the sport have been through this for 150 yrs and that is why HB slugs of nominal bore size or RB with spit patch are used by them... they work and are actually usable in an easy sense....use their experience well.
 
Did I just get a kick in the pants and called an “ old guy”? Well, that’s ok, I are old and I do feel 150.
 
Goodwin81 said:
I recently purchased an NEF Huntsman in 50 cal. The rifle has been upgraded with a Precision Rifleworks breech plug that uses a 209 primer and gets rid of the crappy factory ignition system. It's my understanding that most folks shoot saboted bullets in these riflles. I'm not overly fond of saboted bullets and am wanting to cast a full bore diameter conical (Maxi bullet) to shoot over some Blackhorn 209. My rifle was produced in 2003 and has a 1:28" twist and should shoot a conical well. I've slugged the bore of the rifle and came up with 0.501" bore diameter. I cast a lot for BP cartridge guns and always use bullets 0.002" over bore diameter for best accuracy.
Im concerned about ordering a mold dropping bullets at 0.503" and getting them started down the muzzle with a ramrod or short starter. I'm thinking of finding a bullet in the 350 grain range that has a tapered heel for easy "startability". Thoughts and input welcome, thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Goodwin81 - it has been a few years since I had a T/C 50 cal muzzle loader and I have never used BP cartridges - so temper my comments with that in mind. I read of a BP technique for breech loading where a cast bullet is seated into the rifling - from the breech end - then a loaded cartridge is chambered behind that - other wise, I do not think that I have heard of black powder breech loading ever engraving rifling on to the bullet - which you are going to do if you want to use a bullet shoved down to the chamber from the muzzle.

There was perhaps 10 years ago a guy on Internet named IdahoRon - he suggested to use a 50 cal cast mould from Lee - I think it was nominally 440 grains for a 500 S&W revolver of some sort. Lee also sold a .501" sizing die for that - I had both here - I have no clue if they are still made or where they might be stocked to buy. Memory getting hazy, but since there is so much onion skin paper here, that might have been part of IdahoRon's recipe for that bullet and that sizer in his various 50 caliber muzzle loaders. You have to push that bullet down from the muzzle end, in a muzzle loader, and I do not think that you will have a hope of getting a .503" bullet to press down a .501" groove size - but what do I know ...
 
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