New to PRB

[Coueswhitetail]

I posted on here a while back to get some help with an Austin and Halleck Mountain Rifle, which was my first traditional muzzleloader. I appreciate the help I received so much that I'm back with another question. After several forum members recommended reaching out to White Muzzleloading in Utah about getting one of their 1:66" twist barrels for PRB to complement the 1:28" twist barrel I had, I finally made the purchase today now that I'm living out east and want to take it out for whitetail. I'm familiar with reloading for rifle rounds, but wanted to know if there are any reloading manual type resources for developing a load for PRB? IE starting powder charges for a given projectile and powder type, etc. I'd like to get this as accurate as possible, so any guidance on proper patch and ball selection for this specific barrel as well would be much appreciated. Thank you again for the help I've received on this forum over the years!

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Coueswhitetail, one manual of sorts is the system for establishing a load developed by Dutch Schoultz. While Dutch has passed, copies of his system, "Black Powder Accuracy", can still be ordered. It is no longer available on E-Bay but can be ordered directly from his daughter. It's not just about ball size but also patch material and patch lubricants. We can give a synopsis of while Dutch has created about a 96 page treatise on the subject. This is a good source for people beginning to seek an accurate load for their rifle. He does focus on patched round ball and target shooting.

https://blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

 

[nchawkeye]

It would help to know what caliber you had..

 

[stubshaft]

Your barrel will be the ONLY thing that will tell you what it wants. I have numerous 50's in flint and percussion, and their target loads all vary with respect to powder type, patch thickness, ball diameter and even lube type.

 

[PEARL DRUMS]

I had to play around a lot with my TC Hawken 1:48 to get PRBs to fly. They are dead on now and its a joy to squeeze off. 60 grns of 3F, a lubed felt wad on top of that and then a .015 patch and .490 ball. Without the lubed wad it shot poorly no matter what patch thickness or charge I tried.

 

[Coueswhitetail]

Sorry for the delay and thank you for the prompt responses. I had sent a reply on my way out of town but for some reason it didn't send all the way. I'm using the following:
Remington no. 11 caps
Hornady .490" ball
Pyrodex RS FFG equivalent

Is there at least a recommended starting load and increments for powder? Thank you.

 

[Grenadier1758]

@Coueswhitetail, a starting load for accuracy development is generally the rifle's caliber. In your case, set your volumetric powder measure to 50 grains to start. Shoot 5 shot groups. Increment the charge by 5 grains. By starting with a low charge, you should see the groups shrink and then begin to get larger. Do not adjust sights until you have found the best group. Good load development.

 

[Keyhole]

@Coueswhitetail, one manual of sorts is the system for establishing a load developed by Dutch Schoultz. While Dutch has passed, copies of his system, "Black Powder Accuracy", can still be ordered. It is no longer available on E-Bay but can be ordered directly from his daughter. It's not just about ball size but also patch material and patch lubricants. We can give a synopsis of while Dutch has created about a 96 page treatise on the subject. This is a good source for people beginning to seek an accurate load for their rifle. He does focus on patched round ball and target shooting.

https://blackpowderrifleaccuracy.com/

Dutch's manual was a big help to me when I first started last year. Highly recommended!

 

[flconch53]

@Coueswhitetail, a starting load for accuracy development is generally the rifle's caliber. In your case, set your volumetric powder measure to 50 grains to start. Shoot 5 shot groups. Increment the charge by 5 grains. By starting with a low charge, you should see the groups shrink and then begin to get larger. Do not adjust sights until you have found the best group. Good load development.

I will save you asking if your pyrodex is slow to ignite get some real black powder

 

[Rifleman1776]

@Coueswhitetail, a starting load for accuracy development is generally the rifle's caliber. In your case, set your volumetric powder measure to 50 grains to start. Shoot 5 shot groups. Increment the charge by 5 grains. By starting with a low charge, you should see the groups shrink and then begin to get larger. Do not adjust sights until you have found the best group. Good load development.

A safe rule of thumb is to start with a load equaling your caliber. e.g. .50 cal equals a 50 gr charge of either 2Fg or 3Fg real bp. I can't help you with recommendations of fake/synthetic powders. Others here can or you can do a search.

 

[Coueswhitetail]

Wonderful, thank y'all for the good advice and help!