Hunting loads for my .58 black powder rifle

[nkbj]

Was just curious, thinking about the five and six foot twist that were the mid-1800's norm in .58 minie ball barrels.

 

[Bad Karma]

This is just me here, but if I were trying to do what you are doing, any change to a conical would be with a 45 caliber. Something that will hurl a 400 grain or even a little heavier with a 1:20 twist.

Full disclosure, I'm considering such just for antelope which as time goes on may be the only type hunt I'm capable of.

You might consider a .40 for that pronghorn rifle… 300-400 grain bullets are so pleasant to shoot!

 

[nkbj]

You might consider a .40 for that pronghorn rifle… 300-400 grain bullets are so pleasant to shoot!

.40 with 16" twist is accurate but in our state they say it's not big enough to kill a deer!

 

[longcruise]

.40 with 16" twist is accurate but in our state they say it's not big enough to kill a deer!

View attachment 360041

Here in Colorado it's officially big enough to kill anything but elk and moose as long as the projectile weighs at least 170 grains.

That of course makes the minimum RB caliber for all big game smaller than elk and moose a 50 caliber. Nonresident ml hunters coming here for the first time are often confused.

The idea of the 40 has crossed my mind but there are many rivers to cross before I get to it.

 

[gustrolland]

After my missed deer the other day I'm wondering if I shouldn't have set my rifle up differently. Thinking I should have used more powder so it shoots flatter without having to use the rear adjustable sight for different yardages and just hold lower or higher. I was using 100 grains of Swiss 2f and using the adjustable rear buckhorn for different distances I'm thinking I should have gone to at least 150 grains if not more and just use a higher or lower hold any thoughts on the subject ?
Thanks !!

100 grains, that is the same load I use with a round ball and is seems just fine for elk and bear. But you gotta be yer oun judge.

 

[lou puleff]

Here in Colorado it's officially big enough to kill anything but elk and moose as long as the projectile weighs at least 170 grains.

That of course makes the minimum RB caliber for all big game smaller than elk and moose a 50 caliber. Nonresident ml hunters coming here for the first time are often confused.

The idea of the 40 has crossed my mind but there are many rivers to cross before I get to it.

You want big chunks of lead here are the slugs I shoot out of my White rifles the honker on the left is a 54 cal 740 grain and the little one on the right is a .50 cal 600 grain that 54 is a reject not a perfect cast so no comments on it please.

 

[longcruise]

I'm not a big chunk of lead guy. I've killed deer and elk with balls and conicals. I would say the sample is not large enough to proclaim either superior but OTOH balls have never failed me and conicals have given a couple slow kills.

 

[lou puleff]

I'm not a big chunk of lead guy. I've killed deer and elk with balls and conicals. I would say the sample is not large enough to proclaim either superior but OTOH balls have never failed me and conicals have given a couple slow kills.

I like them out of my White rifles they shoot big heavy chunks of lead extremely accurate and they are all slip fit so very easy to load shot to shot they have their purpose for me when hunting whitetail back east.