hunting Loads for 45cal. with Buffalo Bullets 285g

[musketman]

Roundball:

Is that a T/C Couger?

My brother has one in .50 caliber percussion...

 

[roundball]

Yes, a TC Hawken "Cougar"...have .45's and 50's...took one of the .45's and set the percussion lock & barrel aside, replaced them with a TC RB flint barrel, and a stainless flint lock asm that TC uses on their Firestorm, so it would match the stainless furniture on the Cougar...makes a pretty little flintlock

 

[roundball]

Yeah, that was during the rut in the 2nd week of November, it's usually only around freezing when you get on stand before sunup but warms up pretty quick into the 50's...then if you have to drag a deer it'll work on you...and if it's even hotter, I've learned to make two trips to the truck...1st to ditch heavy clothes & gear, 2nd to drag in the deer.

That particular morning (photo) you're referring two I had the rare luck of shooting two bucks 30 minutes apart and had to drag both of them out...got over heated.

That was one of those rare special mornings...barely got settled into the tree stand when I saw the 8 pointer slipping through scent checking Does along side a big clearcut...he stopped broadside in front of me about 60 yds out and I got a heart shot...it was only just getting light good so I cleaned the bore good, reloaded, and sat back.

30 minutes later that 7 pointer came through at a real fast walk like he'd been spooked by something...the first 2 times I whistle stopped him his vitals were behind trees, but the 3 time he stopped I got a clear heart shot...only about 35yds as I recall.

A really great morning, a great memory...and both with a .50cal flintlock & PRB's...just "like Daniel did it"

 

[roundball]

Exactly...I think of muzzleloaders with PRB's like this and try to work distances and shots accordingly:

The .45cal is like the .243 in the centerfire world...really need to limit the range and place the shot;

The .50cal is like the .30-30 of muzzleloaders...pretty darn good all around but pay attention to your placement;

The .54cal is the .30-06 authority of muzzleloaders...a lot more leeway with angles, bones, power, distances, and penetration capability;

The .58cal is the .45-70...just "aim at the middle of the biggest part of the deer's front"...and from which direction really doesn't matter !

 

Sey, uoy, era, thgir! :haha:

 

[roundball]

I know I am :winking:

 

[swquiro]

Folks, just when you thought this .45 cal thread had reached the end of its line, Im going to give it a nudge. My question is what is the maximum SAFE load for .45 cal in a 13/16" GM barrel 30" in length? Using BP and PRB. I regret not using a 7/8" barrel, but its history now. It is such a nice little rifle that I hate to leave it in the closet, where its been ever since the experience related above in this same thread. My favorite load has been 60gr of Goex and Ive killed a number of deer with this rifle, but most have been this side of 50yd.

 

[roundball]

TC's Cherokee & Seneca rifles have 13/16" barrels and TC's load data in their owner's manual shows 50-90grns FFg as the range of charges for the .45cal Cherokee & Seneca. The max load of 90grns with a .440 ball produces: MV=1980/fps, ME=1106/Ft.Lbs.

 

[swquiro]

Thanks Roundball. The Lyman book shows 70 gr FFFg producing about the same MV and ME as 90gr FFg. I will try them both to see what kind of accuracy my rifle will provide.

 

[roundball]

From my own experience, I use Goex FFFg in .45, .50, .54cal because it's been very fast, clean, and accurate for me... and FFg in the larger .58 & .62cal's

 

[JerryToth]

Hi Swquiro,

Do you think, or perhaps have experience whether a .490 PRB would penetrate a shoulder blade? I've often wondered about this?

Regards,

Ironsights Jerry.