Round ball and 50 grains in a 50 cal. for whitetail ?

[rkg1]

I use 75 grains in my 50 and get complete pass through. Not quite as accurate as 50 grains is plenty accurate out to 75 yards and I don't see well enough to go beyond that distance

 

[azmntman]

I loaded a CVA Bobcat .50 cal. with 45 gr. of 3F BP with a PRB for my granddaughter when we hunted. It was very accurate @ 50 yards. However, we purposely hunted places where a longer shot than 50 yards was impossible.

She shot a spike with it @ 25 yds. and hit it in the neck so it was impossible to determine whether the load would have adequate penetration with a lung shot and still exit.

PS: My granddaughter was 9 yo at the time.

Hey whas up? I have not seen ya here for a bit. BLESS ya for taking the girl out!

 

[azmntman]

I never had a hunting rifle (big game) that I used that little as most mine are production (traditions, CVA, lyman etc) and they shot best with a little more powder. Ironically I do start the testing at 50 gr though and if that was the most accurate load that's what I would use.

As for the above post of 100 yds and organ damage and shock.....we aint in a war and our rifles don't suck lungs out (like Brandons 9mm). Our rifles' have the ump to DRT any animal that's not hyped. I have shot elk with a 7mm that were running hard when shot and they all were hit HARD in the boiler room and went significantly further than any of my BP kills which all tended to be relaxed and unknowing of their upcoming appointment to meet the Lord.

 

[Coolhand]

Know of several hog that have been killed with 30 grain of 3f and a .454 RB out of a 1860 army. Shoulder shots too. Big boar hog is way tougher than a whitetail.

 

[cynthialee]

I never had a hunting rifle (big game) that I used that little as most mine are production (traditions, CVA, lyman etc) and they shot best with a little more powder. Ironically I do start the testing at 50 gr though and if that was the most accurate load that's what I would use.

As for the above post of 100 yds and organ damage and shock.....we aint in a war and our rifles don't suck lungs out (like Brandons 9mm). Our rifles' have the ump to DRT any animal that's not hyped. I have shot elk with a 7mm that were running hard when shot and they all were hit HARD in the boiler room and went significantly further than any of my BP kills which all tended to be relaxed and unknowing of their upcoming appointment to meet the Lord.

I have noticed that deer who are unaware are better tasting than the ones that were running or on alert.

And they just keel over on the spot. Aware or running and they bolt even though they are dead but don't know it.

I take my time and take them unaware. Good meat is more important to me than any other consideration.

 

[Patocazador]

Know of several hog that have been killed with 30 grain of 3f and a .454 RB out of a 1860 army. Shoulder shots too. Big boar hog is way tougher than a whitetail.

Here's a pic a a small buck shot at 40 yds with my Ruger Old Army with a round ball and 30 gr. of FFG.
The leg blood is from my poor shot with a .50 cal. maxiball. The shot broke his leg and I was forced to use the revolver as a backup.

 

[nchawkeye]

I've got a $100 bill that I can make that gun shoot decent groups with 70-75grs FFF Goex...

Why question if you can do it, we don't live in 1790 eastern Tennessee where we have to conserve powder and lead...

 

[52Bore]

Accuracy and shot placement - key.
40cal
40gr Swiss 3f
40yds

 

[Stykbow]

@52Bore thats a fine looking gun in that photo.

 

[Urban Coyote]

50 grains sounds like a light load to me but apparently others have had success, I'd agree shot placement is key. I checked my state's laws on line and couldn't find a minimum load requirement for rifles, caliber restrictions but not load. There is however a 45 grain minimum for muzzleloading handguns.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Well yes and no, I assume (you know that saying) there would not be a big difference, but I'm being told 70 grs. is a minimum. I guess what I was looking for was some confirmation from people who have used a 50 gr load on deer and their real world results, good or bad. I would hate to lose or wound a deer based on my own assumption. Sorry for any confusion.

I’ve hunted big game with a traditional .50 calibre, for most of the years that I’ve shot blackpowder. If you are shooting at short range, 30-40 yrds…then 70 grains could suffice. I’d be more comfortable with 85 grains, as a minimum. All my PRB loads for big game, in my .50 calibre rifles, fall between 90 grains and 105 grains, and I keep my shots inside of 100 yrds as much as possible. Not always possible with Antelope…

On light big game, deer sized animals, most any shot that presents itself for a hit to the vitals is good. For elk, use a hollow-pointed conical to have the same presentation performance. If using a PRB on elk, avoid hitting major bones, though spine and neck shots, at close range, are very doable…

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Accuracy and shot placement - key.
40cal
40gr Swiss 3f
40yds
View attachment 155918

There’s a .40 calibre thread in General Topics…you need to talk about that gun. I would really like to hear more about it.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/everything-40-cal-muzzleloader.149306/

 

[Bushfire]

I’ve hunted big game with a traditional .50 calibre, for most of the years that I’ve shot blackpowder. If you are shooting at short range, 30-40 yrds…then 70 grains could suffice. I’d be more comfortable with 85 grains, as a minimum. All my PRB loads for big game, in my .50 calibre rifles, fall between 90 grains and 105 grains, and I keep my shots inside of 100 yrds as much as possible. Not always possible with Antelope…

On light big game, deer sized animals, most any shot that presents itself for a hit to the vitals is good. For elk, use a hollow-pointed conical to have the same presentation performance. If using a PRB on elk, avoid hitting major bones, though spine and neck shots, at close range, are very doable…

So you wouldn't take a 100 yard quartering to shot on an elk with a 54 prb?

I'm still trying to figure out the limitations of a 54 Prb On big game.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

So you wouldn't take a 100 yard quartering to shot on an elk with a 54 prb?

I'm still trying to figure out the limitations of a 54 Prb On big game.

I’m real careful on my shots using a PRB in a .50 calibre.

With the .54 calibre, I’ve killed enough elk with that calibre…I have no fears that a quartering shot, through the vitals, would just drop him solid…well if you have a 90 to 100 grain charge…yeah solid. The ball should recovered inside the animal real close to the far side of the carcass.

 

[kyron4]

Did some shooting today and worked up to 70 grs. without a huge decrease in accuracy. Settled on a 60 gr. load and feel comfortable take shots at deer to 75 yds. tough 50 and under will be more likely in the woods I hunt. -Thanks

 

[Bushfire]

I’m real careful on my shots using a PRB in a .50 calibre.

With the .54 calibre, I’ve killed enough elk with that calibre…I have no fears that a quartering shot, through the vitals, would just drop him solid…well if you have a 90 to 100 grain charge…yeah solid. The ball should recovered inside the animal real close to the far side of the carcass.

That's good to hear, I've shot a lot of animals with fast twist muzzleloaders but only a couple with roundballs and haven't experienced marginal type shots.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

That's good to hear, I've shot a lot of animals with fast twist muzzleloaders but only a couple with roundballs and haven't experienced marginal type shots.

I guess it depends on the size of the animal. The .50 calibre PRB is wonderous on deer sized big game…very effective, with out doubt. But when it comes to elk, be cautious with shot placement.

 

[jrell5678]

Is this a FFg vs. FFFg issue, i.e. the triple F would be more potent so 50 grains would be enough?

 

[Rock Home Isle]

Is this a FFg vs. FFFg issue, i.e. the triple F would be more potent so 50 grains would be enough?

3fg would have a faster burn rate, higher pressure, a bit higher velocity.

 

[Sun City]

100 grains be better!