Muzzleloader 50 cal bullets

[brownisdown]

My brother has 2 muzzleloaders in 50 cal.One is a t/c impact and the other is t/c triumph.He is running low on bullets and sabots for next year.I have 200 orange 50x458 and 200 red 50x458 sabots.I am not familiar with what bullet for him to buyto use in these.He only shoots about 5 times a year,to check where they are shooting.Anything cheap(for him)would fit the bill.Just know don't now what to look for.The gun shows are starting to pop up in our area,so will try hitting some of them.Thanks

 

[anonymouscowherd]

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/reloading/rifle-bullets/-point-458-dia?instock=true
Any of these would fit and work, but I would try to at least match the weight of the current sabot/bullet combo he is using.

Depending on his powder choice and quantity, you may want either a big heavy solid chunk of lead (think replicating the 45-70) or if you are getting the velocity needed then one of the fancy FTX or whatevers.

 

[brownisdown]

His current load is 90 grains of bh,by volume,with a hornaday 250 grain sst bullet .They shoot rather good out of either gun.

 

[BadgerRidge]

https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/reloading/rifle-bullets/-point-458-dia?instock=true
Any of these would fit and work, but I would try to at least match the weight of the current sabot/bullet combo he is using.

Depending on his powder choice and quantity, you may want either a big heavy solid chunk of lead (think replicating the 45-70) or if you are getting the velocity needed then one of the fancy FTX or whatevers.

Usually .458 bullets are a bad choice for muzzle loaders... they are made for rifles that produce much higher velocities, and will typically have jackets/profiles that won't expand well when shot out of a muzzle loader.

Muzzle loaders usually use .452 diameter bullets (hand gun sized 45 vs rifle sized 45).

There are exceptions off course: with modern hot handguns (like the 454 Casul) use thicker jacketed .452 bulles (so stay away from .452 "Mag" bullets). Typically 452 "Mag" bullets won't give the desired expansion. And there are a few .458 bullets designed for muzzle loaders, that will work well... but they usually come with special .458/.50 cal sabots...

So if you have .458 sabots, you probably want to find lead bullets for them... or buy .452/50 sabots (typically black) and pair them with standard .452 jacketed handgun bullets.

 

[HV-Muzzleloaders]

The 325 grain Hornady FTX bullet (.458 diameter) in the MMP Orange sabot works well for my customers.

Chris killed his deer this year using the "Self-Ejecting Muzzleloader Safety Cartridge". My Patent Attorney let me know this week the Examiner at the USPTO has approved my patent on the device.

Both of these deer were killed with Rem 700 ML rifles I converted to 209 ignition. My custom breech plug uses a carbide bushing.

 

[snapbang]

I think your going to eventually use them for elk correct?????

I have a few of these I could send you. From GT Bullets

 

[anonymouscowherd]

Usually .458 bullets are a bad choice for muzzle loaders... they are made for rifles that produce much higher velocities, and will typically have jackets/profiles that won't expand well when shot out of a muzzle loader.

Muzzle loaders usually use .452 diameter bullets (hand gun sized 45 vs rifle sized 45).

There are exceptions off course: with modern hot handguns (like the 454 Casul) use thicker jacketed .452 bulles (so stay away from .452 "Mag" bullets). Typically 452 "Mag" bullets won't give the desired expansion. And there are a few .458 bullets designed for muzzle loaders, that will work well... but they usually come with special .458/.50 cal sabots...

So if you have .458 sabots, you probably want to find lead bullets for them... or buy .452/50 sabots (typically black) and pair them with standard .452 jacketed handgun bullets.

458 covers stuff from 45-70 and up on velocity, if 90gr of bh209 wont do better then 70gr of real black then sumptin not right in the world

I would search a few vendors for either the same bare bullet (I found the Hornady he mentioned but it had a sabot with a tail on it meant for putting pellets on I guess) or the same bullet in a tail-less sabot.

 

[GM54-120]

Usually .458 bullets are a bad choice for muzzle loaders... they are made for rifles that produce much higher velocities, and will typically have jackets/profiles that won't expand well when shot out of a muzzle loader.

Thats rather odd since the 325gr FTX 45-70 ammo is only good for about 1950-2050fps. Quite easy to match that in a ML.


The jacket on the FTX is actually thinner than a 300gr SST. Both Hornady and Sierra make JHPs that are excellent in the modern ML speed zone too. The Sierra has a very thin jacket and soft lead core.

 

[Mnt monkey]

That 325 looks pretty good cut in half I'm going to have to get some of those to shoot in my fast twist projects,, and they have read tips

 

[Mnt monkey]

These are two new for me, bullets that bill at Northern Precision sent me the one on the right is a .429 300 grain 44 Cal it's really nice, the one on the left is a 458 300 Grain Spitzer ,, my hope is to work up 50 cal smokeless loads with both.

 

[Mnt monkey]

Also a 452 stb 300 grain figured I'd put it in the lineup from Fury bullets the 453 stb 265 has helped a lot of people with Paramount bores I think a lot of us though have found out that that 265 stb shoots very well sized also, all of my rifles shoot it good ,,I can't wait to shoot this 300 grain stb going to try it with plastic and size for bore I just love new bullets!!! Mostly because I just love having options the more the better.

 

[Mnt monkey]

If you click on that picture it'll clear up a little bit sorry for the fuzziness

 

[GM54-120]

That 325 looks pretty good cut in half I'm going to have to get some of those to shoot in my fast twist projects,, and they have read tips

When the Barnes Originals got stupid expensive and hard to find, many changed to the 325gr FTX in the MLIIs.

 

[Lawnscaper]

I used the Hornady .458 300 grain xtp in my Optima with 100 grains by volume this past season and it performed great on a 9 pt at 80 yds barely made it 30 yds with complete pass thru, great blood trail and great exit hole. I think if you keep your shots within the 150 yd range they are excellent bullets for the price.

 

[Doccbst1]

After all my “research” I won’t bore you with,before move to .45’s
for the .50 1-28 inline I liked harvester 300 gr
White lightning .430 in the crush rib sabot.
BH /84gr wt
My next run on testing is the 50/40 with 250-280gr projectile for 1-28 twist maybe the fury or xlt or the even some lead pointy projectiles.
Have a new never fired .50 1-28 barrel. curious ? Last pic I found I’m sure came from here sometime

 

[Doccbst1]

After all my “research” I won’t bore you with,before move to .45’s
for the .50 1-28 inline I liked harvester 300 grView attachment 40744View attachment 40745
White lightning .430 in the crush rib sabot.
BH /84gr wt
My next run on testing is the 50/40 with 250-280gr projectile for 1-28 twist maybe the fury or xlt or the even some lead pointy projectiles.
Have a new never fired .50 1-28 barrel. curious ? Last pic I found I’m sure came from here sometime

 

[BadgerRidge]

458 covers stuff from 45-70 and up on velocity, if 90gr of bh209 wont do better then 70gr of real black then sumptin not right in the world

Yup some 458 bullets are made for muzzleloader velocities... And many are made for dangerous game in 'elephant gun' cartridges... Hence my word of caution and noted that there are exceptions.

But you may note that the aforementioned 45-70 started out with lead bullets... Just like I suggested he try in those sabots.

I like to keep advice simple and solid.