54 Cal buffalo hunt accuracy issues

[ike]

I am going to South Dakota in a couple of weeks to hunt a buffalo. I have two 54 cal muzzleloaders to use. One is a golden age classic from TWO and one is a TC Hawkin in 54 cal. I am loading with 90 gr of goex 3 f powder and a 530 round ball with a .014 pt patch. I can hit a two-inch circle with them if a have 50 0r 60 gr 3 f powder. I think I need to be loading with at least 90 gr powder to get a load that will kill. I have told the outfitter I need to be within 50 yds. I cannot get groups to be within 8 inch circle. I am using bear grease for a lube and that solved my issue a couple of years ago with cold weather accuracy, I am 75 years old so i have a tripod to steady the rifle but i have my hand under the barrel resting on the tripod. I am looking for any suggestions you may have to get a better group. I have been told that i need to take a lung shot, Thanks for your help or your experience. Ike

 

[waksupi]

I think you would be better off shooting them right behind the ear. Just penetrating a winter coat and the thick hide is a chore for a round ball.
Increasing the load to around 120 gr. 2F may work better for you for the accuracy problem.

 

[sb 54 cal.]

Drop down 5 grains and try. 3f might not be what they like.

 

[Fastleo]

I think trying 2f is a good idea. Also you can try a over powder wad.

 

[Fastleo]

Honestly you probably should be shooting a conical.

 

[nchawkeye]

Any discussion of accuracy with a patched round ball starts with how the patches look after you shoot them. They should look like you could reuse them. I like to cut a strip of patching, maybe 12-15 inches long, start it down the barrel about 4-5 inches and pull it back out. Then look at the patching and see if the lands are cutting the patch at the muzzle. If they are, this needs to be fixed.

Assuming the patches are not being cut but still look burned then you need something to protect them from the heat of larger powder charges.

Put a tarp 15 or so steps from the muzzle to catch the patches. Then, you can try different diameter balls, lubes, thicknesses of patches, thinner double patches, adding a wad, wasp nesting, wadded up patch or whatever between the powder charge and patched ball.

Once you find the correct patch/ball/lube combo and you have a good barrel and decent form you should be able to keep your shots inside of an inch and a half at 50 yards.

 

[leadhoarder]

I would think a 54 ball would kill just fine with 60-70gr loads. Especially if within 50 yards.

 

[Absoroka]

Shoot the heaviest load that you can shoot accurately. Buffalo bulls have a very tough hide and they can walk a long way when wounded. the rifle with the longer barrel may give you more velocity, all other things being equal. I used 140 grains of 2FF in my .58.

 

[Buff1958]

I would try a maxi ball in the t/c

 

[rusty]

remember the heart on a buffalo is very low down in the chest, I think I would use a 120gr load.

 

[SDSmlf]

I am loading with 90 gr of goex 3 f powder and a 530 round ball with a .014 pt patch. I can hit a two-inch circle with them if a have 50 0r 60 gr 3 f powder. I think I need to be loading with at least 90 gr powder to get a load that will kill. I have told the outfitter I need to be within 50 yds. I cannot get groups to be within 8 inch circle.

Ike, if I am understanding what you are saying, you have good accuracy at 50 yards with a roundball using a .014” over 50 or 60 grains of 3F powder, but with a 90 grain charge you can’t hit an 8” circle. Is this correct? If so, the first thing I would look at is your patch material and its thickness. Personally I have found with the correct patch and lube, most 54 caliber guns with 1-48 to 1-60 rifling will shoot well out to 100 yards with powder charges up to and over 100 grains.

I am 75 years old so i have a tripod to steady the rifle but i have my hand under the barrel resting on the tripod. I am looking for any suggestions you may have to get a better group. I have been told that i need to take a lung shot

Ike, I am only a few years younger than you and I don’t buy the age excuse unless you have some physical handicaps, you should be able to shoot accurately beyond 50 yards with a stout hunting load. Just an opinion based on what you have shared with us.

As far as taking a lung shot, what does your outfitter/guide suggest? And have they taken traditional muzzleloader hunters using roundballs out before that have been successful?