Hello everyone –
I’m new to this forum, and I already have a request for your opinions and suggestions.
I’m fortunate to own two, 50 caliber muzzle loaders - I successfully use Pyrodex powder in both guns, and they both use #11 caps. Over the years, this has helped to keep everything nice and simple – and I have never experienced a misfire !
I have been successfully using the 350-grain Thompson Center “Max-Hunter” in my Thompson Center Hawken rifle for years - but due to poor-planning, I have a decision to make regarding what projectiles to use in my 50 caliber Traditions Arms Buck Hunter in-line rifle.
A little background here: When I purchased my Traditions Arms in-line rifle several years ago, it came with three packages of all-lead bullets – 60 total. The gun was incredibly accurate using 100 grains of Pyrodex with those basic lead bullets – I was consistently shooting 2 inches high at 50 yards, and dead on at 100 yards.
I continued to use those bullets over the years, and shot several deer at 100 yards. Unfortunately, the original packaging those bullets came in was tossed-out, and I don’t know the exact brand or weight of those bullets. Now for the bad news; I ran out of those bullets last weekend, and I neglected to get the remaining bullet weighed. Now I have to start-over with a new projectile in my in-line, and go through the entire process of shooting, documenting, field cleaning, and re-shooting.
I should mention here that I want to continue using the #11 caps and Pyrodex powder because I have a lot of it.
(a lot of it) Years ago, I purchased all the remaining stock from a gun shop that was getting out of the muzzle loader business – I have several large bottles of Pyrodex, and several hundred #11 caps. I have never had a misfire in either of my guns using this combination, and I want to continue this arrangement in the future.
So here’s my question; because I have to completely start-over with my in-line in regard to sighting it in, should I consider a sabot, a Power Belt, or a conical bullet, or the Maxi-Hunter from Thompson Center?
Unfortunately, it appears that “Maxi-Hunters” are not available in anything less than 350 grain, and I’m not sure if a 350-grain Maxi-Hunter can be used in my 1:32” twist in-line. It would be great if I could merely use the 350-grain “Maxi-Hunter” in both guns, but I have been told that my particular in-line is somewhat of an orphan – a 1:32” twist being too fast for a heavy 350-grain Maxi-Hunter, and not quite fast enough for a sabot or Power Belt.
I would like to hear from anyone who has an in-line similar to mine, and what they have successfully used for a projectile.
Does anyone use the 350-grain “Maxi-Hunter” conical bullet in their 1:32” twist in-line?
Because both of my rifles are set-up for #11 caps, and because of my desire to use-up my inventory of #11 caps and Pyrodex, I realize that this will determine what road I go down.
I’ve heard stories about certain propellants needing a 209 primer for ignition, and about loose Pyrodex powder rolling out of the barrel when using sabots, and Power Belts not flying properly out of a 1:32” twist barrel. What is your experience?
Are “Maxi-Hunters” still being produced? If they are still being produced, are they available in 300 or 320 grain?
(I should mention here that I have no desire to cast my own bullets)
I did find 320-grain “Maxi-BALLS” for sale, but only in a few locations, and the Maxi-BALL isn’t highly recommended for deer hunting.
If Maxi-Hunters are being phased-out, I really don’t want to go through the whole “sight-in-and-set-up” thing using Maxi-Hunters because I will just have to start over again, if /when they become unavailable.
It would be great to merely use the same 350-grain bullets in both of my guns, but the 350-grain Maxi-Hunter is kinda’ heavy, and typically used in a slower twist barrel like a T/C Hawken rifle.
Is anyone out there successfully using a T/C “Maxi-Hunter” in a 1:32” twist in-line rifle? If there is, are you having a problem finding Maxi-Hunters? (are 300 or 320 Maxi-Hunters available anywhere?)
Or, what type of Power Belt, or brand of sabot, have you successfully been using for deer hunting in your 1:32” twist barrel in-line rifles?
WOW - sorry for the long write-up !
Thanks in advance for your help -
nummy
I’m new to this forum, and I already have a request for your opinions and suggestions.
I’m fortunate to own two, 50 caliber muzzle loaders - I successfully use Pyrodex powder in both guns, and they both use #11 caps. Over the years, this has helped to keep everything nice and simple – and I have never experienced a misfire !
I have been successfully using the 350-grain Thompson Center “Max-Hunter” in my Thompson Center Hawken rifle for years - but due to poor-planning, I have a decision to make regarding what projectiles to use in my 50 caliber Traditions Arms Buck Hunter in-line rifle.
A little background here: When I purchased my Traditions Arms in-line rifle several years ago, it came with three packages of all-lead bullets – 60 total. The gun was incredibly accurate using 100 grains of Pyrodex with those basic lead bullets – I was consistently shooting 2 inches high at 50 yards, and dead on at 100 yards.
I continued to use those bullets over the years, and shot several deer at 100 yards. Unfortunately, the original packaging those bullets came in was tossed-out, and I don’t know the exact brand or weight of those bullets. Now for the bad news; I ran out of those bullets last weekend, and I neglected to get the remaining bullet weighed. Now I have to start-over with a new projectile in my in-line, and go through the entire process of shooting, documenting, field cleaning, and re-shooting.
I should mention here that I want to continue using the #11 caps and Pyrodex powder because I have a lot of it.
(a lot of it) Years ago, I purchased all the remaining stock from a gun shop that was getting out of the muzzle loader business – I have several large bottles of Pyrodex, and several hundred #11 caps. I have never had a misfire in either of my guns using this combination, and I want to continue this arrangement in the future.
So here’s my question; because I have to completely start-over with my in-line in regard to sighting it in, should I consider a sabot, a Power Belt, or a conical bullet, or the Maxi-Hunter from Thompson Center?
Unfortunately, it appears that “Maxi-Hunters” are not available in anything less than 350 grain, and I’m not sure if a 350-grain Maxi-Hunter can be used in my 1:32” twist in-line. It would be great if I could merely use the 350-grain “Maxi-Hunter” in both guns, but I have been told that my particular in-line is somewhat of an orphan – a 1:32” twist being too fast for a heavy 350-grain Maxi-Hunter, and not quite fast enough for a sabot or Power Belt.
I would like to hear from anyone who has an in-line similar to mine, and what they have successfully used for a projectile.
Does anyone use the 350-grain “Maxi-Hunter” conical bullet in their 1:32” twist in-line?
Because both of my rifles are set-up for #11 caps, and because of my desire to use-up my inventory of #11 caps and Pyrodex, I realize that this will determine what road I go down.
I’ve heard stories about certain propellants needing a 209 primer for ignition, and about loose Pyrodex powder rolling out of the barrel when using sabots, and Power Belts not flying properly out of a 1:32” twist barrel. What is your experience?
Are “Maxi-Hunters” still being produced? If they are still being produced, are they available in 300 or 320 grain?
(I should mention here that I have no desire to cast my own bullets)
I did find 320-grain “Maxi-BALLS” for sale, but only in a few locations, and the Maxi-BALL isn’t highly recommended for deer hunting.
If Maxi-Hunters are being phased-out, I really don’t want to go through the whole “sight-in-and-set-up” thing using Maxi-Hunters because I will just have to start over again, if /when they become unavailable.
It would be great to merely use the same 350-grain bullets in both of my guns, but the 350-grain Maxi-Hunter is kinda’ heavy, and typically used in a slower twist barrel like a T/C Hawken rifle.
Is anyone out there successfully using a T/C “Maxi-Hunter” in a 1:32” twist in-line rifle? If there is, are you having a problem finding Maxi-Hunters? (are 300 or 320 Maxi-Hunters available anywhere?)
Or, what type of Power Belt, or brand of sabot, have you successfully been using for deer hunting in your 1:32” twist barrel in-line rifles?
WOW - sorry for the long write-up !
Thanks in advance for your help -
nummy