Blackpowder noob head about to explode!!

[reptilla]

Ok so i have been into firearms my whole life and have experience with cap lock patch and ball type muzzle loading but i got my first inline and its a tradition lightning bolt with the 209 breech . Im searching for ammo for hunting and powder types to use (sabot/no sabot...loose powder /pelletized powder) and im sooo lost on where to start. Any help would be awesome

[Divernhunter]

Hunting? Easy. After trying many different choices the bullet to use if sabots are allowed is the Barnes mag sabot with the big HP bullet. I used the 250gr one. Deer and pronghorns go down like hit by lightening. I used Pyrodex Select or rifle loose powder. I got some pellets but never tried them.If I get to BP hunt again I will try to see if they work as well as the loose powder.

Using a 209 primer I would try the pellets. I did not use the 209 primer in my Knight 50cal.

[reptilla]

Soooo many projectils to choose from and alot of them seem not good except for the federal ones but they are so hard to come buy, my nature twlls me if no one makes it then make it myself but making bullets is not something i know how to do and i have no time for more hobbies...

[ducky_0811]

From my experience it's much like hand loading modern ammk, gotta mix and match until you find "the" combo, but I would suggest starting with sabot's as they will give you a higher velocity and flatter trajectory as opposed to the big ole .50 cal slugs. Puck a good expanding projectile and them at around with powder charge until you get the performance you're happy with

[onewheelwes]

While is is easier to find a sabot that your rifle will shoot well, if you find a conical you like, you can hunt with it in any state. Another advantage of finding a good conical is you can by a mold for the bullet, make your own dirt cheap, and it is a lot of fun to do.

Like others have said, you will need to buy a few in as many styles as possible. I found the TC Maxiball to work great for me. For fun shooting, I still love some goex. Nothing like the real stuff, but for hunting I use Blackhorn 209. I have carried a rifle around for a week in the rain and it still performs flawlessly . You can also have a open can around for a long time, get more shots at the range between cleaning, and if you don't clean your rifle until a day or two later, you will always be fine.

Oh, and toughen up your shoulder. A bullet that does great with 90 gr, may now do well at 120. You have to fine your hunting bullet with your hunting load. And of course, have fun!