Post by zimmerstutzen on Sept 12, 2007 13:49:40 GMT -4
slow twist for patched round balls (slow means 1:56 and up)
fast twist for conical bullets (fast is 1:36 and under)
Some manufacturers sell an in between twist, it is fair hunting accuracy with either round ball or conical, but usually not a tack driver with anything.
1 fg for 75 cal and up
2fg over .45 cal
3fg for 45 and under
4fg ONLY for prime
each granualtion burns faster as the numbers go up.
target loads same grains of powder as caliber ie 45 cal took 45 grains of 3fg.
hunting loads no more than twice the caliber, ie 45 cal = 90 grns
shallow rifling is for bullets (shallow grooves .004 or less)
deeper rifling is for patched round balls (some is as deep as .016)
Shooting down hill or up hill causes the bullet to hit high. The steeper the hill, the higher the impact, at least until you are shooting more than 45 degrees up or down.
Shooting a loose patch and ball combination causes increased fouling. Shooting more powder than can be consumed before the ball/bullet leaves the muzzle also causes increased fouling.
When experimenting for your gun's perfect load you can change the following variables:
a. powder granulation (with moderate loads)
b. powder brands, (some are hotter)
c. amount of powder in the charge
d. to a lighter or heavier ball or bullet
e. to a thinner or thicker patch
f. to a thinner or thicker weave in the patch.
g. (if shooting a bullet) sometimes to a larger diameter bullet
Some muzzleloaders are very capable of less than minute of angle accuracy, even at 200 yrds. Such guns won't be for sale at Walmart. Fine target accuracy is based on consistency from shot to shot. Same powder measurement, load to load, same projectile load to load, swabbing the bore the same between each shot, some shooters even want to maintain a constant barrel temperature from shot to shot. They even know how changes in humidity and temperature affect the point of impact.
Buffalo hunters made long range one shot kills with 70 grains of 2fg and 450 grain bullets. You don't need an elephant gun charge to kill a whitetail.
A round ball still makes a big hole and causes blood loss. While most folks consider 50 cal or larger to be right for whitetail, a 45 cal can adequately do the job, especially if shooting a conical bullet.
The British War Department established the standard service load for the 1853 Enfield rifle at 60 grains of powder and a .575 patched round ball, considering it lethal on humans out to 200 yards. Later, the US and Confederate Armies adopted the same charges as standards.
Tim Murphy shot the British General off his horse at the Battle of Saratoga with a double barrel flint rifle, at nearly 400 yds,,,, with a round ball.
Billy Dixon, Bat Masterson's Buffalo hunting Partner, at the battle of Adobe Walls, TX, in 1874, shot an Indian from his poney with a 50 caliber rifle and 90 grains of powder. US Army surveyors determined the distance to be just under 7/8 of a mile. He was shooting the new "Big 50" cartridge introduced by Sharps, 50-90 with a 500 grain bullet.
The Point is that you don't need alot of powder to do the job on a white tail.
Black powder is really hard to detonate. It can be detonated with disastrous results. Packing too much powder into a barrel can cause the powder to act as it's own bore restriction and blow up like an artillery shell.
Most modern rifles are tougher than in days of old and modern steel and barrels might take heavier loads than old time wisdom suggested. Follow your manufacturer's reccommendations. There are some real tough guns out there, and some that might be recalled tomorrow.
fast twist for conical bullets (fast is 1:36 and under)
Some manufacturers sell an in between twist, it is fair hunting accuracy with either round ball or conical, but usually not a tack driver with anything.
1 fg for 75 cal and up
2fg over .45 cal
3fg for 45 and under
4fg ONLY for prime
each granualtion burns faster as the numbers go up.
target loads same grains of powder as caliber ie 45 cal took 45 grains of 3fg.
hunting loads no more than twice the caliber, ie 45 cal = 90 grns
shallow rifling is for bullets (shallow grooves .004 or less)
deeper rifling is for patched round balls (some is as deep as .016)
Shooting down hill or up hill causes the bullet to hit high. The steeper the hill, the higher the impact, at least until you are shooting more than 45 degrees up or down.
Shooting a loose patch and ball combination causes increased fouling. Shooting more powder than can be consumed before the ball/bullet leaves the muzzle also causes increased fouling.
When experimenting for your gun's perfect load you can change the following variables:
a. powder granulation (with moderate loads)
b. powder brands, (some are hotter)
c. amount of powder in the charge
d. to a lighter or heavier ball or bullet
e. to a thinner or thicker patch
f. to a thinner or thicker weave in the patch.
g. (if shooting a bullet) sometimes to a larger diameter bullet
Some muzzleloaders are very capable of less than minute of angle accuracy, even at 200 yrds. Such guns won't be for sale at Walmart. Fine target accuracy is based on consistency from shot to shot. Same powder measurement, load to load, same projectile load to load, swabbing the bore the same between each shot, some shooters even want to maintain a constant barrel temperature from shot to shot. They even know how changes in humidity and temperature affect the point of impact.
Buffalo hunters made long range one shot kills with 70 grains of 2fg and 450 grain bullets. You don't need an elephant gun charge to kill a whitetail.
A round ball still makes a big hole and causes blood loss. While most folks consider 50 cal or larger to be right for whitetail, a 45 cal can adequately do the job, especially if shooting a conical bullet.
The British War Department established the standard service load for the 1853 Enfield rifle at 60 grains of powder and a .575 patched round ball, considering it lethal on humans out to 200 yards. Later, the US and Confederate Armies adopted the same charges as standards.
Tim Murphy shot the British General off his horse at the Battle of Saratoga with a double barrel flint rifle, at nearly 400 yds,,,, with a round ball.
Billy Dixon, Bat Masterson's Buffalo hunting Partner, at the battle of Adobe Walls, TX, in 1874, shot an Indian from his poney with a 50 caliber rifle and 90 grains of powder. US Army surveyors determined the distance to be just under 7/8 of a mile. He was shooting the new "Big 50" cartridge introduced by Sharps, 50-90 with a 500 grain bullet.
The Point is that you don't need alot of powder to do the job on a white tail.
Black powder is really hard to detonate. It can be detonated with disastrous results. Packing too much powder into a barrel can cause the powder to act as it's own bore restriction and blow up like an artillery shell.
Most modern rifles are tougher than in days of old and modern steel and barrels might take heavier loads than old time wisdom suggested. Follow your manufacturer's reccommendations. There are some real tough guns out there, and some that might be recalled tomorrow.