Loads

[jase47]

Hey All!!! Cant thank you all enough for the great advice. I'm in the process of sighting in my Investarms Hawken .50cal. for hunting whitetail in Wisconsin.

In the past I have loaded 75-80gr Pyrodex behind a 350gr Maxi-Hunter. I intend to keep utilizing the Maxi-Hunter this season. Could you all recommend some guidlines as to what my max load should be(both Maxi and Patch/Ball) and what you all have found works best in this style of rifle. Also, I would like to stay with a BP Substitute...opinions and recommendations in this area are also welcome!!!

Thanks again in advance!!!

Jase(SGT/USMC)

 

[boar]

When I used the max-hunter in my 50 TC I used 100grs 2ff Goex. That was maxium load. To make a good seal and not have the bullet drift in barrel while hunting, I tapped the bottom a little bit bigger with my ball starter. There a little harder to load but work better. For RB I use up to 80grs. Dilly

 

[Rikeman]

I only use a PRB so I cant help with the maxi. But I have been very happy with my 90 gr load of pyrodex in my .54 hawken. I use .18 patches for a nice tight fit with the ball.

Best wishes

 

[Little Wattsy]

I believe the invest arms were "rated" at 100 grs "max load". Honestly anything over 80 grains would ONLY be to produce tighter groups or there is probably not mush point.

Hit em hard VS miss em harder sorta deal.

 

[Blizzard of '93]

I use an '06 caseful (72gr) 3F BP or 'P' Pyrodex in my .50 under a 320 gr REAL slug.
anymore in the 24" barrel gets blown out the front mostly.
besides groups start to open up.

 

[rebel727]

I used 90-100 with maxi balls and Lee reals in my .50 Investarms.

 

[nw_hunter]

I use both Pyro RS, and 2f (Goex). 80 to 90 grs should be plenty. If you get good groups with 90, I would use that load.If you want to stay with Pyrodex, you might want to try using Pyrodex P, and stay about 10 gr's less than the RS.In other words...80 Gr's of P,instead of 90 gr's of RS.

 

[Raider2000]

My CVA Bobcat .50 cal shoots the 320gr. Lee REAL bullet pretty well with 80gr. FFFG Goex "and similarly with 80gr. Pyrodex P" but I haven't tried it in my Lyman yet.

 

[longcruise]

Never shot the max hunter, but did quite a bit with the max ball at 20 grains heavier. In a TC .50 with 28 inch barrel, 80 grains of ff goex was hitting about 1315 fps. going up to 100 grains did not increase velocity or accuracy much but it did bring the recoil up! :shocked2:

 

[tg]

I have never shot a modern bullet from a ML but most of the .50 rifles of the "Hawken style" I have had did well with 75-80gr, 3f BP.

 

[buttonbuck]

I second that TG I sighted in last saturday and for kicks and the chance to recycle into the bullet trap, some old conicals I shot out of the renegade .54 at 35 yards 80 grains of goex 3f wonder wad for all maxi balls cast by log cabin, 380 reals and 400 grain remington conicals they were shot at a 6" target all hit with in 1.5 inches of bulls eye the reals clover leafed but a little high they are the lightest of the 3. Now roundballs hit way high so they get 60 grains of 3f and do well enough for does

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

The T/C Maxi 370 grain with 70 grains of real 3Fg Goex works best in the 28" tube...wins competitions to the point that everybody in the league shooting this type of rifle has adopted my load, sometimes beating me :rotf: . If you're intent on using Pyrodex, I'd use either 70 grains of pistol powder or 80 grains of regular rifle powder.

The 370 Maxi's (#7795) were chrono'd at 1349 FPS, thus resulting in a power factor of 499+, roughly the same as a 20 ga. rifled slug. Thus far I've earned the NRA Expert Qualification in BP, and have already used this load in my Lyman Trade Rifle (roughly the same gun you're using) to obtain a score in excess of the requirement for Distinguished Expert . Six more qualifiers to go :shocked2: .

If you're having fun with the 350's, keep using them.

Like the famous Guuny says on TV, "Semper Fi & Carry On!"

Dave

 

[tg]

"Like the famous Guuny says on TV, "Semper Fi & Carry On!"


I wonder what gunny would say if shown the difference between traditional gear open sight and PRB and the modern bullets and sights that are so popular, might be a good question for him.
I think he would fall in love with a good crisp flinter and PRB

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Very stimulating and thought provoking! I've watched the Gunny shoot a rock-lock and a pair of full-auto Glock 9mm's with 33 round mags at the same time :shocked2: He likes 'em both!

I also shoot PRB's out of my Trade Rifle. In fact, one of the four Clubs that I belong to is PRB's ONLY. So I guess that means that maybe I'm no longer on your "*%#!&" List?? :rotf:

I don't have a problem with Civil War era projectiles. I guess some of us do :shake:

:v

Dave

P.S.: My Trade Rifle has the "traditional" old-style rear notch and front wide blade sights that it came with. Only ever did one adjustment to the rear sight (with a block of wood & a hammer!)

 

[tg]

"So I guess that means that maybe I'm no longer on your "*%#!&" List?? '

If you are talking to me I don't have any "lists" just a strong logic based opinion on what the definition of a traditional hunting outfit is and what it isn't, and it holds well to the test of logic, common sense, and history and I do not hesitate to comment when incorrect pieces of the puzzle get tossed in the traditional pile,thus giving folks a chance to look at all the angles and weight in for themselves what is and what isn't, based on logic not personal preference and missinformatiomn it has nothing to do with the people just the gear, now the people who toss in the wrong pieces do get pretty nasty at times,while trying to defend their choices with some pretty weak arguements, when it would be simpler just to say "yeah my outfit isn't really traditional but it is the gear I like to use, and it works well for me. now you will have to excuse me I must iron my purple miniskirt