Lee R.E.A.L. bullets and a proper charge

[DrLaw]

Okay, here is my question. I shoot in my .54 Pedersoli Jager, Lee 380 grain bullets. Before I burn more powder, I was reading the article in the current MUZZLE BLASTS about using less powder. I got to thinking, as I am always seeming to use different powder charges (and forgetting what I am using from year to year more than ever now - and yes, even forgetting to bring something to write down the loads in). What would be a low charge for this grain of bullet for just target shooting as opposed to hunting (which is what I primarily use this gun for with about 80 grains of 2F)

The Doc seeks answers from the community for his further education now.

 

[64Springer]

Hate to say it, but the best load is the load YOUR rifle likes.

There are no shortcuts in load development.

Burning powder, be it ML or Modern, is the only way to get it done.

 

[Kansas Jake]

The other option is what low power load gives you acceptable accuracy for what you’re shooting at. For example does a 50 grain charge allow me to hit the gong at fifty yards consistently even though my groups would be an inch smaller if I loaded 80.

One of the neat things about muzzle loaders is I can customize my load depending on what I’m doing without much fuss and from shot to shot.

 

[nkbj]

Yeah, brass is hugely over rated unless you're fighting people.

 

[NorthFork]

I believe the most accurate load is exactly that......the most accurate. If a 'hunting load' load is the most accurate then so be it. I take a horrendous amount of abuse from fellow shooters from shooting 110grs FFG from a 27" barrel 'trade gun' on woodwalks. Funny thing is that load is the most accurate, muzzleblast and noise be darned!! Scores matter.

 

[tenngun]

When you find your load, make a permanent measure.
It’s a real convenience to have a bag per gun, and set stuff for your gun.
Try ball if your rifle can handle ball, it’s as deadly in ml range as a real bullet

 

[DrLaw]

Thank you all for the replies. I swear, about the only time my mind seems to work correctly is in court (where it should, but...).
I just got something in the mail that I should have gotten a long, long time ago. The shooting log books that the NMLRA sells. I got one for all of my BP rifles. Now I can find the 'right' load and remember it for the future.

Thank you all for helping to teach an old dog new tricks.

The Doc is out now.

 

[Relic shooter]

Okay, here is my question. I shoot in my .54 Pedersoli Jager, Lee 380 grain bullets. Before I burn more powder, I was reading the article in the current MUZZLE BLASTS about using less powder. I got to thinking, as I am always seeming to use different powder charges (and forgetting what I am using from year to year more than ever now - and yes, even forgetting to bring something to write down the loads in). What would be a low charge for this grain of bullet for just target shooting as opposed to hunting (which is what I primarily use this gun for with about 80 grains of 2F)

The Doc seeks answers from the community for his further education now.

Barrels with faster twist rifling produce better accuracy results with low powder charges than barrels with slow twist rifling.
I discovered this about 50 years ago when I was shopping for a much lighter big bore hunting rifle to pack in the mountains to replace the Hawken I built & bought my first original .70 cal. Jaeger. Found it would produce clover leaf 50 yd groups with just 50-60gr & was a long range Elk dropper with 80gr.
NOTE; The majority of factory production built muzzleloading rifles I've owned & examined have had shallow depth rifling in the .004-.007 depth range. Rifles with shallower depth rifling & fast twist rifling tend to require a much a tighter patched round ball combo when shooting heavy loads in order to prevent poor accuracy due to shredded patches & blow by.

The vast majority of vintage European & English muzzleloading round ball firearms I have collected & competed with over the years have had faster twist & deeper rifling in the range of one-turn in length of a 24" to 32" long barrel & have rifling depth in the .010-.014 range.
It's been my experience that deeper rifling depth with fast twist rifling provides a much better grip on patched round ball loads when using heavy charges & superb accuracy.
Early English & European gunmakers set world standards for quality & accuracy, thankfully many came to our American colonies for freedom & to build guns for our 1st revolution.
Have been a faster twist muzzleloading competitor fan every since
Relic shooter, now @ 80 I'm the relic

 

[bronko220002]

Question in return is "Is your 80 gr hunting load the most accurate in your rifle"? Then keep using it for target or hitting steel. You will get to know your rifle better and where it hits at varying distances. You go changing charges and your POI will change.
80 gr of FFg is a mild load already with a .54 IMO.