I'm with you. You got big publications like Field & Stream writing articles about testing the newest best muzzleloaders and they are using pellets to test them. I hear more stories of hunters missing deer because of pellets but they don't really put it together that the pellets are the problem. They argue they are convenient, there is no convenience in patching after every shot or in missing a deer that may have been the only chance for the season. The worse part is there is a perfect solution, BH209.
Field & Stream just published an article about the new CVA Paramount. They mention how they are getting a whopping 2200 fps with a 280 ELR powerbelt and 150 grains of BH209. I just 2 weeks ago I chronographed Powerbelt 300 gr Aerotip Platinum's at 2173 fps with 120 gr BH209 in a 45 cal with a 24" barrel. Something doesn't make sense here.
There's not much debate on BH when it comes to it being a great propellant, if one's rifle is capable of shooting it.
I also agree with GM, that a properly sealed bolt action is simple to clean. A Remington 700 bolt can be easily disassembled and cleaned, but if the breach is sealed properly its not needed for every session.
As for pellets, in general, pellets stored and used properly are not the problem for missing a deer, when its PP planning and lack practice by the hunter that's the real problem.
For most hunters and at the average range that most game is harvested, pellets are not as bad as many like to believe, as long as the shooter has done his/her homework finding the proper sabot/bullet combination, and have had sufficient range time. Some shooters end up with pretty darn good 100yd groups using pellets.
Now I'm not indicating pellets are the absolute best, when loose propellant can allow for the tweaking of smaller groups, if that's what a particular shooter is looking for. As for patching between shots, even when shooting BH, the most accurate shooters with high quality rifles, may have a rifle that shoots smaller groups when swabbing between shots.
As for cleaning and the accuracy of T7 pellets, out of my UF I can completely clean the rifle barrel after a range session with just 5 patches. As for the accuracy that I've been able to achieve with T7 pellets, the photo in my avatar is of 5 shots at 400yds measuring 1.5"
As for the velocity of the Paramount that may be indicated, it …… may.... be related to their new bullet itself and how well it seals. I'm betting that as owners start getting their hands on that rifle, much better bullets will be shot and you'll see the velocity and accuracy change significantly.
