target

[hobbles]

Went out side and did some shootin today, This is what 85 grains and a 50 cal T/C Hawkens does to a 1/2 x 6 x 7" piece of metal at 50 yards,

I'm thinkin 100 grains for deer is a waste of powder,,, Just my opinion,,,,

 

[11th corps]

Are those round ball hits?

 

[hobbles]

Afternoon 11th corps
Yep

 

[hobbles]

And it swings when hit,,

 

[Pittsburghunter]

You should see what a sabot will do to plate I could not believe my eyes :shocked2: Get up over 100g of powder and some of the round will punch through the stuff.

 

[Norskie]

I use 60gr FFg in my .50 behind a 230gr conical. I get thru and thru at ranges up to 75 yds and no deer has trveled more than 25 yards after being hit.

 

[hobbles]

Mornin LeatherMoose
I have shot the same target at the same yardage with 60 grains and the round balls have flatten out thinner then a dime, I posted pictures of it on here a while back, 60 grains does have a LOT of power behind it,,,

 

[Norskie]

60gr worked in the War Between the States, after all.

 

[Uncle Jed]

Went out side and did some shootin today, This is what 85 grains and a 50 cal T/C Hawkens does to a 1/2 x 6 x 7" piece of metal at 50 yards,
I'm thinkin 100 grains for deer is a waste of powder,,, Just my opinion,,,,

Not being one to waste, do you recycle the spent lead found thereabouts the target? The plate should yeild some lead splatters below it's base large enough to remelt and cast into more roundballs. Makes for a heapin' helpin' of free lead, how that's hospitality.

 

[hobbles]

Went out side and did some shootin today, This is what 85 grains and a 50 cal T/C Hawkens does to a 1/2 x 6 x 7" piece of metal at 50 yards,
I'm thinkin 100 grains for deer is a waste of powder,,, Just my opinion,,,,

Not being one to waste, do you recycle the spent lead found thereabouts the target? The plate should yeild some lead splatters below it's base large enough to remelt and cast into more roundballs. Makes for a heapin' helpin' of free lead, how that's hospitality.

Afternoon Uncle Jed
I'v picked some up but haven't done nuthin with em, I know I'm bein lazy,, but bein so takes all my time,,

 

[oomcurt]

Hi Hobbles,

Now ye done went and got me curiousity up. While that was done with a .50 and 60g of 2f...would a .54 and the same amount of black powder do the same or less. Reason I ask..I always assumed that with a .54 one needed at least 90g of ff to work at 75-100 yards. Sorry for hoping in on here with this question...but figured others might want to know also.

 

[charcloth]

Hey Oomcurt,

I use 70 grains of FFF in my 54 smoothbore. I have killed deer between 35 and 150 yards with no problem. I missed one at 175 yards this year. My partner figures (by watching brush behind it) that I was about 2" over his back. I use 70 gr. regardless of distance or target type. That's just where my gun shoots consistently. I've always had clean kills so any more powder than that (unless your gun needs more) is a waste.
Charcloth.

 

[Rebel]

You are shooting at deer at over 100 yds and close to 200 yds with a smoothbore? That is a real long shot for a rifle, and then, only with a good rest. I mean at a little over 100, never at nearly 200. JMO

 

[Stumpkiller]

I use 70 grains of FFF in my 54 smoothbore. I have killed deer between 35 and 150 yards with no problem. I missed one at 175 yards this year.

:hmm:

You're lucky. That would have probably been a nasty job of tracking a wounded deer. It's carrying about as much energy, maybe 300 ft lbs, as a .38 Special at 25 yards.

I congradulate your friend's vision at being able to discern 2" graduations at 175 yards. Good to have a spotter when the prey is obscured by the upper half of your barrel - as you were aiming about three feet over the deer's back at that distance and couldn't have seen it through the muzzle. That ball's droping about three feet and, with a 5mph crosswind, could have over 20" of drift; not even considering that smoothbores throw the occasional knuckle ball and shouldn't be trusted past 80 yards or so ~ even the ones with iron sights.

Normally I wouldn't chime in on another's boast, but IMHO that's just irresponsible shooting with a smoothbore, moderately loaded muzzleloader and taking unnecessary risks with a creature's life.

 

[charcloth]

Hey Stumpkiller,

I agree with you that was a pretty long attempt with a black powder gun. I was hunting primitive, my buddy was hunting with a scoped .270. I took the shot only because I was frustrated at not having harvested a deer this season. I usually strive to make a shot under 75 yards but I also shoot at distance (targets) routinely. I in the N. Ca. high country and often the shots are longer than shorter. I had no intention of bragging. There will always be better shooters than I. I just happen to shoot this one weapon particularly well and so I guess I am overly confident with it.

Charcloth

 

[hobbles]

Hi Hobbles,

Now ye done went and got me curiousity up. While that was done with a .50 and 60g of 2f...would a .54 and the same amount of black powder do the same or less. Reason I ask..I always assumed that with a .54 one needed at least 90g of ff to work at 75-100 yards. Sorry for hoping in on here with this question...but figured others might want to know also.

Mornin oomcurt
You can hop in any of my questions my friend, I'll learn by it,,
I could not believe that 60 grains at 50 yards can do this

You can sea the dime,,
My target is at the bottom of a holler and when I hit it ,, it swings and the lead goes right in the ground under the target,,