pointing_dogs_rule Posted August 1, 2008 Report Share Posted August 1, 2008 Hi Guys: I have hunted whitetail for many years with the .50 cal. muzzlelaoder. I have used 90 grains of FF with a 190 grain sabot. This gives me a nice group at 100 yards and is adequate for downing a whitetail. I am invited on a Elk hunt this Septmber in Colorado (drew a cow tag). I feel that I should up my powder load and sabot weight. Is this correct and what grain and weight would you recommend. I would like good pentration. Note: Colorado only allows Iron sights so I will probably only be be shooting out to 100 yards or so (unless my eyes get better). Thanks for any advice and any other tips that you can give me. good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldmulebuck Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 I would try 340 grain deadcenter sabots start at about 85 grain with a 100 grain of tripple7 powder at 150 yards you are still shoot approx.at 1600 to 1700 fps with about 1540 foot lbs.That will work for your cow and no bullet drop open sights you should still hav about a 2 1/2 inch group. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 PDR, Be sure to read the regs for Colorado before you start lead development. Sabots are not legal in Colorado for ML season. Neither are scopes. Personally, I would work up the load with the scope and once the load is found to be acceptable, start practicing with it and open sights. Since you are limited to conicals, your bullets will be >350 grains. Do not use the 245 gr Powerbelts. There are stories after stories of guys trying tihs deer load on elk with dismal results. For P-belts they recommend the 348 or better yet the 405 gr. Precision Rifle has a Colorado conical that is designed for big critters. I am a big fan of their bullets and wold not hesitate to try them. Hornady has a new conical out called the FPB that is a .50 caliber conical weighing in at 350 gr. In order to be legal in Colorado, the plastic tip has to be removed. It will then be a hollow point bullet. I have read mixed reviews about these bullets. Y.M.M.V. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldmulebuck Posted August 2, 2008 Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Oh yes I stand to be corrected ha ha yes no sabots in Colorado sorry.I had good luck with greatplains bullets and also the deadcenter ultimate 390 grain conical these are good out to about 180 yards and still have about 1600 foot lbs. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted August 2, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 2, 2008 Thanks for the info guys. I will talk more with my cousin in Colorado about the rules and regs. Sounds like I have alot of praticing to do with different loads. good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted August 3, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 3, 2008 No smokeless powder NO pellets No sabots Open sights Must be .50 caliber with at least a 170 grain bullet. Thanks to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Here it is straight from DOW's Big Game Brochure 3. MUZZLELOADING RIFLES & SMOOTHBORE MUSKETS a. In-line muzzleloaders are legal. b. Must be single-barrel that fires a single round-ball or conical projectile the length of which does not exceed twice the diameter. c. To hunt deer, pronghorn or bear, they must be min. of .40 caliber. d. To hunt elk or moose, they must be min. of .50 caliber. e. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min. 170 grains. f. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min. 210 grains. g. Shotshell primers are legal. h. Pelletized powder systems prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. i. Cannot be loaded from the breech in muzzleloading seasons. j. Only open or iron sights allowed in muzzleloading seasons. Fiber optics and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal. Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries and electronic gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. k. Sabots are prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not sabots. l. Smokeless powder prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder and black powder substitutes are legal. m. Only legal muzzleloaders allowed in muzzleloading seasons. n. NEW FOR 2008: Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to muzzleloader during muzzleloading seasons. IT’S AGAINST THE LAW TO: 1. Have a loaded (in the chamber) rifle or shotgun in or on any motor vehicle. Muzzleloading rifles are considered unloaded if percussion cap or shotshell primer is removed, or if powder is removed from flashpan. NEW FOR 2008: It is illegal for anyone to have a loaded electronic-ignition muzzleloader in or on a motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded or the battery is disconnected and removed from its compartment. 2. Carry firearms (except handguns) on an OHV during deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bear seasons unless they are unloaded in the chamber and magazine. Firearms (except handguns) and bows carried on an OHV must be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case. Scabbards or cases with open ends or sides are prohibited. This does not apply to landowners or their agents who carry a firearm on an OHV to take depredating wildlife on property they own or lease. Attention Muzzleloaders NEW FOR 2008: Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to muzzleloader during muzzleloading seasons. Initially, the electronic ignition muzzleloader was considered legal during muzzleloading season, however, the Wildlife Commission ruled in January 2008 that it is not legal during the muzzleloading season. It is illegal for anyone, except if authorized, to have a loaded electronic-ignition muzzleloader in or on a motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded or the battery is disconnected and removed from its compartment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AJ Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 Here it is straight from DOW Big Game Brochure 3. MUZZLELOADING RIFLES & SMOOTHBORE MUSKETS a. In-line muzzleloaders are legal. b. Must be single-barrel that fires a single round-ball or conical projectile the length of which does not exceed twice the diameter. c. To hunt deer, pronghorn or bear, they must be min. of .40 caliber. d. To hunt elk or moose, they must be min. of .50 caliber. e. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min. 170 grains. f. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min. 210 grains. g. Shotshell primers are legal. h. Pelletized powder systems prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. i. Cannot be loaded from the breech in muzzleloading seasons. j. Only open or iron sights allowed in muzzleloading seasons. Fiber optics and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal. Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries and electronic gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons. k. Sabots are prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not sabots. l. Smokeless powder prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder and black powder substitutes are legal. m. Only legal muzzleloaders allowed in muzzleloading seasons. n. NEW FOR 2008: Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to muzzleloader during muzzleloading seasons. IT’S AGAINST THE LAW TO: 1. Have a loaded (in the chamber) rifle or shotgun in or on any motor vehicle. Muzzleloading rifles are considered unloaded if percussion cap or shotshell primer is removed, or if powder is removed from flashpan. NEW FOR 2008: It is illegal for anyone to have a loaded electronic-ignition muzzleloader in or on a motor vehicle unless the chamber is unloaded or the battery is disconnected and removed from its compartment. 2. Carry firearms (except handguns) on an OHV during deer, elk, pronghorn antelope and bear seasons unless they are unloaded in the chamber and magazine. Firearms (except handguns) and bows carried on an OHV must be fully enclosed in a hard or soft case. Scabbards or cases with open ends or sides are prohibited. This does not apply to landowners or their agents who carry a firearm on an OHV to take depredating wildlife on property they own or lease. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted August 7, 2008 Report Share Posted August 7, 2008 T/C Maxi-Balls worked for me when I was black powder hunting--- 100 grains of FF, bullet weight was 370 grains. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest oldmulebuck Posted August 10, 2008 Report Share Posted August 10, 2008 Almost like a sling shot right Bob.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pointing_dogs_rule Posted August 11, 2008 Author Report Share Posted August 11, 2008 Thanks guys. I've experimented and 110 grains of powder and a Maxi-ball of 320 grains is giving me a 5 inch group at 100 yards. I will accept that with open sights. thanks once more good luck to all the dog Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Colorado Bob Posted August 12, 2008 Report Share Posted August 12, 2008 oldbuck-----killed a spike & a 5 point. Sling shot or not it worked. CB Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.