Smokeless ML shooters?

[AJ]

Anyone here shooting the smokeless muzzleloaders? I am on my third high performance ML now. A Savage 10 ML II 50 cal, a custom Rem 700ML in .45 cal, and a H&R Handi Rifle converted to muzzleloader .45 cal. My goal is to get MOA groups at 500 yards. I will be using my custom Rem for my oryx hunt this December. Shots can get long range on them.

[wtnhunt]

Welcome back AJ. No smokeless powder ml'ers here. Maybe post some pics of yours when you get a chance.

[AJ]

One of the drawbacks to New Mexico is one tag per species if you are fortunate enough in the draw. A stipulation for muzzleloader season is no smokeless powder. We can use inlines, sabots, and optical sights, but no smokeless powder. That being said, I am setting up my hi-perf muzzleloaders to take max loads of BlackHorn 209. I talked to Western Powders about the pressure levels generated by BH209 and they assured me that BH209 does not generate pressures like smokeless powder does. I have set the pressure limits for my Hi-Perf guns to 50k psi on average. The barrels are the same as you will find on any .458 Win Mag, .458 Lott, or 460 Weatherby Mag, the only difference is mine is threaded and has a steel breechplug inserted at the breech. The 150 gr by volume charges (105 gr by weight) of BH209 are only generating ~28k psi, so they are well under my max pressure limit. I am not implying that you can load 150 gr charges of BH209 in your standard off the shelf in line and be safe. I know some are thinking how can I be sure my loads are within my pressure limits, well, I am glad I asked that question. I am using a Pressure Trace II system that uses a strain gauge to measure barrel expansion and correlate that to pressure readings. I will be evaluating this gun for long range hunting of big game, elk specifically. The experts say 1500 ft/lbs of energy are needed to ensure proper penetration. After taking my first elk this past year, I can agree as they are huge critters. I am wanting a 500 yard muzzleloader, so I first need to find out what bullets will get me 1500 ft/lbs of energy retention at 500 yards and at what speed. I have been using the 300 gr Hornady SST/Shockwave bullet. It has an advertised ballistic coefficient of .250 and a sectional density of .210. I can get 2450 fps so running the numbers, the load peters out about 325 yards. Not good enough. The 325 gr FTX is slightly worse BC of .230 so it also does not reach past 325 yards. No Go. Looking at Parker Productions, the Hydra-Con looks like a tough bullet but its BC is not high enough. Same for the Ballistic Extreme. It's also a little fragile for up close hits. The Match Hunter on the other hand looks very interesting. The 325 gr Match Hunter has a .453 BC and at 2400 fps which is obtainable with BH209, it will retain over 1750 ft lbs of energy at 500 yards. Sweet! It will almost make it to 600 yards with enough energy. Now we are talking. For those lucky enough to use smokeless powder you can get 2700 fps which will give you out to 725 yards easily, which is very impressive from a front loader. More to follow.

[FireStation46]

Not me, not recommended by my ML mfg. I use pellets, about 100 grains. Works well for me