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Who is the BP/muzzleloader expert?
idsman75
Member Posts: 13,398 ✭✭✭
I was going to buy a shotgun but now I am itching for a BP pistol. I'm looking at a Traditions Trapper (.50-cal, 9.75" barrel, 1:20 rate-of-twist). What do you shoot in that thing? Conicals, round balls, saboted bullets?
That seems like an awefully fast rate-of-twist but I know nothing about BP pistols. I'd be all over it if I can shoot round balls out of it accurately.
That seems like an awefully fast rate-of-twist but I know nothing about BP pistols. I'd be all over it if I can shoot round balls out of it accurately.
Comments
Ids,
I think that would be Powdersmoke!
Haven't seen him post in a while, but then I haven't spent alot of time here lately either.
You might take a look at his profile and try sending him an e-mail.
"If a candidate for president doesn't mind driving someone else's cars, living in someone else's houses, spending someone else's money, or being married to someone else's wife,,, maybe we should elect this candidate ,,,,, to be SOMEONE ELSE'S PRESIDENT!!"
Unknown Gatlin
On your mark-get set- go away!!
What's wrong with BP? You can't hunt whitetail in my state with a modern rifle. You're stuck with handguns, shotguns, ML's and bows. Is there another way? I'd like to take one with a BP pistol.
1:20 twist is very fast.[:0] You should use the conicals, sabots or maxi-balls in that (pregreased conicals). You could shoot a .490 patched round ball also but you won't be as satisfied with the results.
I use patched RBs in my Hawken with a 1:48 twist. I've even used the Maxi-ball (the original conical, no sabot)but not as accurate as the RB, at least no better.[?]
Use Triple 7 powder or clean burn, or one of the other modern substitutes. Since your not used to BP these won't require as much cleaning and the corrosion problem is about taken care of. Still a good Idea to clean after every use tho', my opinion. Might want to get the recipe for 'Ed's Red' off the internet for a good BP gun cleaner.
The charge is probably about 30 grains of powder. I don't know for sure so if I was you I'd start with about 10-15 and work up to my max. load from there.
Oops, better watch myself or I'll give you information overload.[:D]
Might want to check to see if the manufacturer has any specific recommendations.
Powdersmoke-
Thanks for the info. I shot my T/C Omega quite extensively last year and hunted with it as well (shot a massive doe). I used Hodgedon Triple-7.
I have read up on the subject quite a bit. I have a pretty comprehensive book on muzzleloading but I loaned it out to someone and I never really read any of the parts about pistols.
I never trust the salesmen because most of them are talking out their *sses. The guy I spoke with told me that round balls would perform GREAT and that the fast rate-of-twist was because the barrel is shorter than a normal rifle so a round ball needs that fast rate-of-twist compared to it's rifle counterpart. I figured I'd ask here because it still didn't sound right. I'm kind of leaning towards something that will shoot round balls accurately so I may not want this gun.
I liked T/C #13 for a cleaner and was pretty impressed with it last year. I'll probably stick with that if I buy this pistol. I won't hunt with it this year. I'm sticking to archery and shotgun this year.
I'll ask to see the owner's manual before I buy it. I REALLY want a ML pistol (.50-cal) that is designed specifically for shooting round balls. I want something that I can do more than just hunt with. Round balls are a lot less expensive than sabots/conicals.
Thanks for the info! Feel free to give me info/opinion overload if you'd like.