Thor Bullets Sizing Pack concerns / removing breechplugs for caliber sizing

[kervinlee]

I've been looking for non-lead bullets for hunting in California. I looked at the Thor Bullets website (Thor™ Bullets Sizing Pack) and they recommend a "Sizing Pack" of four bullets of different diameters to determine your bore size prior to ordering. Thor instructs one to remove the barrel's breechplug: 'To determine which bullet is best for your muzzleloader, start with an empty rifle, remove the breechplug and slide in the .500 bullet. If it slips easily down the bore, you then try the .501 and so on. When you find the diameter that requires about 20/30 ft./lbs. of force to push down the barrel (that is comparable to the resistance you get loading a standard sabot bullet), you have found the correct size for your rifle.

Now, I have a .50 caliber Thompson/Center Hawken and a .50 caliber CVA Mountain Rifle and I have never removed the breechplugs, and would rather not if at all possible, but I would do it if it is worth the effort. Does anyone have any useful knowledge or experience with this? Are the breechplug threads in these type of rifles tapered, like an NPT thread? I've seen breechplug wrenches in online videos; do I have to have one of those or will a standard combination wrench work? What about reinstalling the breechplug? I think I can check for proper parallel alignment between plug face and barrel flat with a dial indicator but does anyone have any tips or tricks? Thanks.

 

[44Bro]

Don't remove the plug, drop a chunk of brass down bore. Test fit the bullet, and shake the barrel, muzzle down to remove the test piece. The brass will work as a slide hammer without harming the bore.

 

[kervinlee]

Don't remove the plug, drop a chunk of brass down bore. Test fit the bullet, and shake the barrel, muzzle down to remove the test piece. The brass will work as a slide hammer without harming the bore.

Great idea. Let me ask, to clarify: I should use a brass rod (chunk of brass) of a diameter smaller than the bore (maybe 7/16"?) and long enough to have enough mass to push the bullet out, maybe 8" - 10". I guess I don't need to ram the bullet down the bore more than an inch or two to test. Thanks, 44Bro.

 

[64Springer]

In my opinion, it's a scam to sell you four bullets.

How much is shipping to ship four bullets?

How much of the shipping cost does Thor pocket?

Speedy metals is charging 68 dollars to ship 3 ounces of sheet brass. Does anyone really believe that any shipper in this country is charging 68 dollars to ship 3 ounces of product? Hell no they aren't. S/M, in my opinion, is pocketing the difference.

 

[Uncle Miltie]

You can also use a ball gage to measure the bore, but pounding in a lightly lubricated oversize ball, pulling it and measuring with a micrometer is a more accurate way to do it.

 

[Robby]

Sorry you have to go through this nonsensical BS. Seems like a saboted bullet would be the way to go as the sabot will take up a few thousandths of bore size. I did a quick search and found this outfit.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/shop/cutting-edge-bullets/muzzleloader-bulletsThere are others. I hope you find what will work for you and good luck hunting.
Robby

 

[kervinlee]

You can also use a ball gage to measure the bore, but pounding in a lightly lubricated oversize ball, pulling it and measuring with a micrometer is a more accurate way to do it.

Also, I never need another excuse to buy more precision measuring tools!

 

[kervinlee]

Sorry you have to go through this nonsensical BS. Seems like a saboted bullet would be the way to go as the sabot will take up a few thousandths of bore size. I did a quick search and found this outfit.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/shop/cutting-edge-bullets/muzzleloader-bulletsThere are others. I hope you find what will work for you and good luck hunting.
Robby

Thanks you very much, Robby. I do appreciate it!

 

[64Springer]

Sorry you have to go through this nonsensical BS. Seems like a saboted bullet would be the way to go as the sabot will take up a few thousandths of bore size. I did a quick search and found this outfit.
https://cuttingedgebullets.com/shop/cutting-edge-bullets/muzzleloader-bulletsThere are others. I hope you find what will work for you and good luck hunting.
Robby

I've yet to find a sabot that will work in a traditional 1:66 or 1:48 twist barrel.

They are fantastic in very fast twist rifling.

In the kind of rifles that don't get mentioned here.

 

[EC121]

It sounds like they are selling bullets for the "beginners" muzzleloaders with the easily removable plugs and 209 primers.

 

[kervinlee]

I've yet to find a sabot that will work in a traditional 1:66 or 1:48 twist barrel.

They are fantastic in very fast twist rifling.

In the kind of rifles that don't get mentioned here.

I think my CVA Mountain Rifle is a 1:32" twist, I remember it was recommended to use only round balls. Anyone know the twist rate on a Thompson-Center .50 caliber Hawken?

 

[64Springer]

99% sure it's 1:48.

Google says your CVA/MR is 1:66. Look on your barrel. May be there.

 

[kervinlee]

99% sure it's 1:48.

Seems to be. Thanks!

 

[Buckskinn]

I have a T/C 50 cal Encore and have used the Thor bullets in Colorado as I could not use sabots; they grouped very well for me and open up and cut like a guillotine. I believe I used the .502's.

 

[64Springer]

1:20 twist?

 

[kervinlee]

99% sure it's 1:48.

Google says your CVA/MR is 1:66. Look on your barrel. May be there.

Will do. Thanks!

 

[44Bro]

Great idea. Let me ask, to clarify: I should use a brass rod (chunk of brass) of a diameter smaller than the bore (maybe 7/16"?) and long enough to have enough mass to push the bullet out, maybe 8" - 10". I guess I don't need to ram the bullet down the bore more than an inch or two to test. Thanks, 44Bro.

Got it in one shot.

 

[hawkeye2]

The brass rod in the barrel is the way to go. If you have some round balls or bullets you are shooting in your gun just lay a ball on a hard surface and smack it with a hammer. That will flatten 2 sides and expand the ball to larger than your bore diameter. Lay it on the muzzle and smack it with a wood or rawhide mallet to drive in in flush. Tap it down a ways with a dowel and you've got a bore diameter slug, no need to buy anything.

 

[Buckskinn]

Yeah, well you could also use a caliper to measure your bore. That still doesn't tell you which bullet is going to work the best, that is why they send samples. They are cheap so best to know which will work the best. Here is a recovered Thor from 80 yds shot through the lungs of WT, doesn't get much prettier, furthest petals are 1.25" apart

 

[Norman Brooks]

Barnes Expander MZ is my choice. They have a sabot and are more forgiving for loading.