Velocity

[The Hungry Hunter]

I have a 42 inch Green mountain Barrel on my Early Virginia rifle repro.(flinter) I do not have a chronograph, would any one know at what speed a 50 cal ball would be going at with 70-90 grains of goex 2f behind it, approx.I would like to try it on Adirondack whitetail this season, would this load be suffiecient to 50yards ?

 

[dlgraley]

I would say more than sufficient.

 

[jamesthomas]

That would be an excellent load for Whitetail, provided it is also an accurate one. Probably be in the 1600 fps range.

 

[BrownBear]

That load will be good to 100, and maybe beyond if you can hit right out there. Lyman's old handbook has data for a 43" barrel, but G-O 3f rather than 2f. That's clocking 1725 at 70 gr and an even 2k at 90 grains. Even with 2f being a little slower it's going to be shooting fast enough and flat enough to really impress you. The only deer I've ever had "knocked off its feet" was a smallish buck, taken with 80 grains of 3f, IIRC. He dropped flat at the shot, struggled back up and took a couple of steps before dropping for good. I'd bet that 80 grains of 3f is comparable to your 90 of 2f. Deer I've taken out around 75 yards only take a few startled steps before dropping, and I wouldn't hesitate to shoot 100 if I was sure of a hit.

 

[Rifleman1776]

Wat the others said. Very adequate you can hit yer target. Do practice beforehand to know where that rifle is hitting.

 

[Jim Martin]

I also have a G M 42" .50cal barrel on my flint rifle. My hunting load is 90 grains with rb out to 100 yards with no problem.

Cumberland

 

[wattlebuster]

Put the ball where it needs to go an it will get er done :thumbsup:

 

[Trench]

Super lethal. My 60gr of 2f behind a .490 ball went through the broadside of a whitetail buck at 40yds.

 

[Herb]

Here you go. This is a .50 flint I built with a 42" barrel. These are the loads you asked about. The left target is 70 grains of Goex 2F and .490 roundballs, gave 1565 fps. Middle one is 80 grains, gave 1667 fps. Right one is 90 grains, that is 1775 fps. Bottom one is 50 grains of Goex 3F, 1450 fps. Any of these loads is adequate for deer at 50 to 100 yards. (On an IBM computer you can hold down the Control button and hit the + sign, and the picture enlarges once each click. Hit the - sign to reduce size. Helps to read the targets).

 

[Rhett Griffith]

I also have a .50 caliber Green Mountain barrel on my flintlock rifle. My standard load is 60 grains of FFFg Goex with a .490 round ball and .018" pillow ticking patch. A quick look at my notes shows that I am getting an average of 1726 fps with the chronograph located 21 feet in front of the muzzle.

This load has killed five deer in a row at distances ranging from 12 yards to 90.

 

[Trench]

Also, if you're new to hunting with muzzleloaders, you'll find that over time you won't worry about the velocity you're getting from a particular load.

In the future, you'll find a load that's accurate for your needs. You'll find out where it impacts at 25, 50, and 100 yards and then you'll be done with it. You'll practice until you're confident and then you'll go hunting!! Mak sure you post any pictures of a successful hunt with your rifle. :thumbsup:

 

[BrownBear]

Excellent insight in that, Trench. I almost never set up the chronograph any more and simply look at trajectory or point of impact at various ranges to decide how much is "enough."

For my needs, I always sight in a big game rifle at 75 yards. With 80 grains of 3f from my usual 50 cal (39" barrel), that puts it roughly dead on at 25, an inch high at 50 and 2-3" low at 100.

I was setting up a short, light 58 cal for this year's hunt and it was real fond of 80 grains of 2f, but getting a little "starchy" with 100 grains. When I sighted in at 75 yards it was close to 3-4" high at 50 and about 6" low at 100.

That's waaaaay too loopy for my needs, so I bucked up and increased the charge to 100 and sighted it in again at 75. Now it's right at 2" high at 50 and only 4" low at 100. That's fine for my needs, and I found a "sufficient" charge for my needs without breaking out the chrono.

 

[matt denison]

Nice rifle

Good information.

Thanks

 

[The Hungry Hunter]

First of all I want to say thankyou to all who have responded to my question. The rifle in question is very accurate. At 25 yards and 50 yards with 70 grains of 2f goex off the bench itplants them in the black using the Muzzle Blast Postal target. I shot at a 100 yard military target using 90 grains of the 2f goex, I was putting them in the black till it did not spark and had a misfire. That blew my consitration and ended the day. I have yet to try it at the 75 yard range. Oh yes is there any info out there on how to sharpen a flint on a rifle or knap a flint as they say? Thankyou.

 

[MSW]

if you try the search feature, Paul had a good piece on how to reknap a flint. it's pretty straightforeward once you get the hang of it.

 

[Dphar]

90 should be good for as far as you might want to shoot.

Dan

 

[rfcbuf]

Recently on a borrowed chrograph clocked 2230 ft/sec with 75 gr. 3F Goex .490 ball and 15/1000's patch. Chronograph was about 1 foot from muzzle. Was really surprised with the velocity...more than expected.

 

[reddog]

Recently on a borrowed chrograph clocked 2230 ft/sec with 75 gr. 3F Goex .490 ball and 15/1000's patch. Chronograph was about 1 foot from muzzle. Was really surprised with the velocity...more than expected.

I think yer muzzle blast wuz triggering your chrono,,,that sounds ungodly fast for 75 gr/.50 cal....If I was a couple of you fellers I'd be doin' some chrono checkin'

 

[BrownBear]

Ayup.

With the screens at 15' my GPR 50 turned in 1765 +/- with 80 grains of Goex 3f.

 

[Dphar]

Recently on a borrowed chrograph clocked 2230 ft/sec with 75 gr. 3F Goex .490 ball and 15/1000's patch. Chronograph was about 1 foot from muzzle. Was really surprised with the velocity...more than expected.

I am surprised the equipment survived the muzzle blast.
Best to read the instructions before using scientific instruments. Anything closer than 10-15 ft can give false readings.

Dan