Best ball/patch for TC New Englander?

[BillinOregon]

Just bought a .50 New Englander on Gunbroker to send to my brother in Colorado, who has not muzzleloader hunted before. Anyone with this rifle care to share favorite load -- ball, patch, conical and powder? Thanks in advance.

:hatsoff:

 

[nwtradegun]

Colorado restricts muzzleloaders to black powder and patched round ball. no sabots or bullets and no black powder subsitues.

 

[Maven]

My T/C's (a .45cal. Cherokee, .45cal. Hawken, .56cal. Renegade smoothbore) have always taken a RB .010" than the stated caliber. I.e., a .490" RB for the .50cal. NE rifle. The rifles also were quite accurate with .015" - .016" patches. These are a starting point, so take them as suggestions rather than something etched in stone. Btw, if the twist rate is 1:48, the New Englander will also handle a Maxi-Ball very well.

As for round- and Maxi-Balls, I'd recommend T/C molds, as their dimensions are very consistent, especially for the Maxi's. Moreover, they can be found in used, but excellent condition from several sources, e.g. EBay. 50 - 80gr. charges of FFg are a good place to start.

You may also want to read the T/C Manual mentioned here: http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/fusionbb/showtopic.php?tid/286576/

 

[nwtradegun]

Muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets, provided the minimum caliber shall be forty (.40) for all big game except elk and moose. The minimum caliber for elk and moose shall be fifty (.50). All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets from forty (.40) caliber through fifty (.50) caliber must use a bullet of at least 170 grains in weight. All muzzle-loading rifles and smoothbore muskets greater than fifty (.50) caliber must use bullets of at least 210 grains in weight.
a. During the muzzle-loading firearms seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose only lawful muzzle-loaders and smoothbore muskets may be used by muzzle-loading license holders.
b. During the muzzle-loading firearm seasons for deer, elk, pronghorn, bear, and moose the following additional restrictions apply:
1. Propellent/Powders: The use of pelletized powder systems and smokeless powder are prohibited.
2. Projectiles: Sabots are prohibited. For the purposes of this regulation cloth patches are not sabots.
3. Loading: Firearms must load from the muzzle. Firearms which can be loaded from the breech are prohibited.
4. Sights: Any muzzle-loading rifle or smoothbore musket with any sighting device other than open or “iron” sights is prohibited.
5. Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot be incorporated into or attached to the muzzle-loading firearm.
3. Handheld bows, including compound bows, using arrows equipped with a broadhead with an outside

 

[BillinOregon]

Thanks fellas.
Rj: Pretty sure the Colorado regs allow the use of minie and maxi-balls, just not saboted bullets.

 

[Okie Hog]

My .50 New Englander likes the TC 320 grain Maxi Ball, 80 grains of Black MZ powder and a Winchester magnum cap.

 

[johnfrommd]

My .50 cal N.E. likes .490 ball and .015 patch. My .54 cal N.E. likes .530 ball and .013 patch.

Using 60 grains of 3F these are both 1" group shooters from the bench. For 100 to 150, I use 100gns and Maxi balls. They group about three inches with my late sixties eyes and open sights.

John