VermontHunter Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 I just aquried the above ML as a gift from my father, it has NEVER been fired.. I'm fairly NEW to the ML world so I would like to hear some starting point suggestions on what type of Sabots (Grn. and Style ) and Types of powder Pellets to be using with this weapon... I'm looking to get atleast 100-150 Yrds. out of this setup... Here are the Specs. on this particular weapon... NEF Stainless Huntsman Caliber .50 Cal. Action Break-open, side lever release, muzzleloading. Primer 209 Shotshell (5 reusable primer carriers furnished). Stock High-density polymer, full pistol grip stock with black matte finish, sling swivel studs, ventilated recoil pad. Finish Matte nickel finish frame, stainless steel barrel. Barrel 26" (Magnum) (1 in 28" twist) with deep-cut rifling. Sights Fiber-optic open sights, tapped for scope base. ( Added a Bushnell 3X9X40 Variable Scope) Length 42" Length of Pull 14-1/4" Drop at Comb 1-1/2" Drop at Heel 2-1/8" Weight 6-1/2 lbs. Any HELP would be greatly appreciated.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Hey Luke If you haven't already, read Bluelks chapters, it will get you started in the right direction. Nice looking gun by the way and welcome to the wonderful world of muzzleblasting Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billkay Posted May 28, 2006 Report Share Posted May 28, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions I'd start with 3 50 grain-777 pellets and 250grn Barnes Spitzer Boattails. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted May 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Hey Bill, I see Barnes has a Sbot called the Tipped MZ, would this be a good one to try out ?? Tipped MZ version is a spitzer boattail design for enhanced long-range accuracy. http://cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/...s&noImage=0 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Here's what I shoot. Accuracy has never been a problem, but I would get one of these to keep from messing up your projectiles. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted May 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions I already have one of those Ramrod Loading Tips it's just not from Hornaday... Real good tip tho John, because I know for a fact traditional ram rod tips really mess up a sabots tip... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
billkay Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions I used the 245 grain bt last year and had excellent results. This year they have the aero tip and thus weigh 5 grains more. Check the Knight site, they may have them on clearance. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_218 Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions While I don't have the same M/L as you have; I own a T/C Black Diamond in .50 Cal. I've found the most accurate load that is still suitable for Deer is: 90 grains (Volume) of loose "Triple 7" FG behind a T/C Highpressure sabot containing a .452" Hornady XTP 250 grain bullet, fired by a 209 primer. I've never had any luck with pellets charges of powder. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HaDeRonDa Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Don't shoot what you like, shoot what it likes. It might be 100 grs of loose or pellets or even BP. Though it may like a tad more. Most BP guns don't shoot theri best at a max 150 gr charge, though it does make some feel like they are sending theri best. Bullets are an entirely different puzzle. Buy and try that's my advise. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hangunnr Posted May 29, 2006 Report Share Posted May 29, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions [ QUOTE ] Don't shoot what you like, shoot what it likes. It might be 100 grs of loose or pellets or even BP. Though it may like a tad more. Most BP guns don't shoot theri best at a max 150 gr charge, though it does make some feel like they are sending theri best. Bullets are an entirely different puzzle. Buy and try that's my advise. [/ QUOTE ] Excellent advise.... Couldn't of said it any better myself. hangunnr Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted May 30, 2006 Author Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions [ QUOTE ] Don't shoot what you like, shoot what it likes. It might be 100 grs of loose or pellets or even BP. Though it may like a tad more. Most BP guns don't shoot theri best at a max 150 gr charge, though it does make some feel like they are sending theri best. Bullets are an entirely different puzzle. Buy and try that's my advise. [/ QUOTE ] I hear ya,, my fathers CVA shoots more accurately with 100grns. of powder than the recommended 150grns.... I will be trying a few varieties of sabots to see what matches up the best.... I just wanted a starting point, if there's such a thing.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David_218 Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions [ QUOTE ] [ QUOTE ] Don't shoot what you like, shoot what it likes. It might be 100 grs of loose or pellets or even BP. Though it may like a tad more. Most BP guns don't shoot theri best at a max 150 gr charge, though it does make some feel like they are sending theri best. Bullets are an entirely different puzzle. Buy and try that's my advise. [/ QUOTE ] I hear ya,, my fathers CVA shoots more accurately with 100grns. of powder than the recommended 150grns.... I will be trying a few varieties of sabots to see what matches up the best.... I just wanted a starting point, if there's such a thing.. [/ QUOTE ] A good starting point for a .50 caliber M/L is 80 grains (Volume) + your chosen bullet. My experience is that any charge over 100 grains is just a waste of powder, and your accuracy usually falls off past that point. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wtnhunt Posted May 30, 2006 Report Share Posted May 30, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Would also suggest reading bluelks ml chapters. I use 240 grain tc xtp mag sabots in my black diamond .50. Use 120 grains of loose pyrodex and switched back to the remington percussion caps last year from the winchester shotgun primers. Really happy with the accuracy and performance I am getting with that load. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions 250g TC ShockWaves and 2 (or 3) 50g Pyrodex pellets.. You may find your gun does not like 150g of pellets. My Remington did not... The TC ShockWaves are about $8 to $9 per 20 ct. box which is fair cheap. Pyrodex pellets seem to be cheaper then the 777 in both pellet or powder form. Factors I KNOW your concerned about. LOL Thats why I shoot them.. LOL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted June 2, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Less expensive sure helps the wallet Shawn,, But it's not like Im going to be blowing off 1000 rounds ... So I think some of the good stuff would be OK... I really need to get this thing ZERO'ed in sometime soon,,, and I do love shooting ML's... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VTbowman Posted June 2, 2006 Report Share Posted June 2, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Oh believe me they are "the good stuff" just a few bucks cheaper... The box of pellets cost me around $21 and a box of 250g shockwaves was around $9 plus tax on both.. Not super cheap just cheaper then some; higher then some too... They just seem to work in anything I have tried them in and got me 1" groups out of my 15" ML pistol... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GWSmith Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions Here's the best price I've found so far on what my ML likes the best: Hornady XTP Bullets 44 Caliber (430 Diameter) 240 Grain Jacketed Hollow Point Box of 100 = $13.49 http://www.midwayusa.com/eproductpage.exe/showproduct?saleitemid=224132 MMP Sabots I started at 80 gr FFg BP and 295gr. Powerbelts and started experimenting from there. Rifle likes 90 gr FFg BP and 240 gr.HP XTP's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted June 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions THANKS Gary,, I'll definatley gives those a looksie.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions I'm still using the 295 grn. powerbelts with the 777 pellets. Accuracy is o.k., not great. I'm thinking very hard about trying some sabots in a lighter bullet and lose 777 powder. I would like to see how they perform with other muzzleloaders besides my Encore. Good advice there Gary. too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted June 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions I'm just not very comfortable with the loose powder concept,, Is there really a huge difference between the two ???.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions [ QUOTE ] I'm just not very comfortable with the loose powder concept,, [/ QUOTE ] Why not? Can you use a measuring spoon? Its not difficult to do and if you weigh the charges after you figure out how much you want to use, its easy, accurate, and cheaper to use loose. I used pellets for quite a few years and I got great accuracy with them. I have 3 guns that shot MOA or better at 100 yards with 150 gr (3 pellet) loads. Its not like a few grains here or there will present a danger to the shooter or the gun. Its more for accuracy than anything else. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest HaDeRonDa Posted June 4, 2006 Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions As AJ said, "and cheaper to use..." Take the time to figure it out. A pound is 7000 gr , so theoretically thats 70 shots at 100 grs each. It ends up to be 65 - 75+ shots. Then look at how much it costs for pellets at that many shots. I did it some time ago and did not save my figures but shooting pellets is way too expensive for this guys blood. As AJ said as well, it is more for accuracy and you can really dial your gun in. Most of us don't cheat our rifles so why cheat your BP gun?, IMO. It really does not take that much more time and you can buy vials in bulk and then premeasure as many charges as you would like. If you don't premeasure your charges it also spreads your shooting out at the range instead of just going and banging out shots that may not be taken so seriously each time you pull the trigger. If you would like the link to buy vials in bulk give me a hollar. I do know that you can contact Randy Wakeman. He will hook you up at a very reasonable price. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VermontHunter Posted June 4, 2006 Author Report Share Posted June 4, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions I may have to hook-up with someone with more experience when it come to this BP thing, especially if I consider the loose powder concept.... HEY ! Shawn got anything planned ??... You still need to checkout my new .270 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dakota Posted June 11, 2006 Report Share Posted June 11, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions I shoot Maxi-Balls through my CVA Hunter Bolt. At 375 grains, these conicals pack a punch and are what I believe to be the best ammo for whitetail hunting. Good luck, Luke! Dakota Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlered Posted June 14, 2006 Report Share Posted June 14, 2006 Re: Need Suggestions i have that exact same gun, i shoot 110 grains of 777 with a mmp sabot and a 300 grain xtp mag made by hornady. i can get 4" groups at 200 yards no prob. but the thing you must do is play around with your loads. never settle until you have tried many diffrent loads. everygun likes something diffrent so go out and explore. go to your local gun shop and they will help some too. have fun red Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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