54 Cal buffalo hunt accuracy issues

[J. David]

How was the Buffalo hunt?

 

[Juice Jaws]

Honestly you probably should be shooting a conical.

I think lots of buffalo were killed with a round ball.

 

[Juice Jaws]

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

These ain't wild buffs, should be able to get real close .

 

[mikesto44]

Juice jaws have you been on one of these hunts ?
The buffalo aren't as dumb or easy as people think.
The ranch I hunted was a few thousand acres. Most people have no clue to how big western ranches are.

 

[Hawk54]

I have always used 90 grains of 2F with a maxi ball for hunting with my TC Hawken. It will hold inside a four inch circle at 100 yards.

 

[JDBraddy]

Rapine 585-510 Mini-balls

90gr FFg, 5 shots @ 50yds.
Moved rear sight six clinics to the right.

 

[French Colonial]

Juice jaws have you been on one of these hunts ?
The buffalo aren't as dumb or easy as people think.
The ranch I hunted was a few thousand acres. Most people have no clue to how big western ranches are.

The hunt I went on in Kansas, the ranch was so large that the approximately (according to the rancher) 400 animals had settled into 3 different herds each with their own herd bull. If one herd got to spooky due to whatever you went to look for another.