Inline projectiles

jonk

I read in Pyrodex's faqs that when using their pellets in an inline, if not using a Sabot bullet, that you should use a felt wad as a gas check over the projectile. True? Or not?

So then: if I set up to cast my own, for a 1:32 twist, I don't think a roundball would do so hot, but how about a minie? Or flat based conical? Don't want to use the expensive sabots for every day blasting. And then woudl I need such a wad or check if using the pellets? Normally I stick to blackpowder but when I got a bunch of the pellets for free, I couldn't say no, now, could I? [:)]

jonk

BTT. I find it hard to believe that no one here knows the answer to this, but 69 folks have read it. I can't have stumped the experts with this little ?, can I?? [:0]

He Dog

I use Powerbelts over pellets, which is essentially like a sabot. My pard and I put a musket nipple on his TC Hawken, and he shoots minnies over pellets, Buffalo bullets I think, with greased gas checks. They seem to work fine, but we have not chronoed them.

I would think roundballs would do less well, but maybe OK with felt pads.

stickmann

I hate sabots! I also now use power belts.The seal seems to work good, they load easy, shoot accurately, and hit like a young mike tyson! The increased mass just works better for me than a pistol round in a difficult to load sabot. I've also heard that the plastic from a sabot gums up the rifling. While the powerbelt doesn't.

Cubslover

quote:Originally posted by stickmann
I hate sabots! I also now use power belts.The seal seems to work good, they load easy, shoot accurately, and hit like a young mike tyson! The increased mass just works better for me than a pistol round in a difficult to load sabot. I've also heard that the plastic from a sabot gums up the rifling. While the powerbelt doesn't.





Maxiball and Maxihunter rounds, produced by Thompson Center, are tried and true and I've read a lot of good reviews about them.

Hornady makes a Great Plains Bullet that is one hard hitter.

I personally use a 300gr Hornady SST in my Optima, 1:28 twist and have had good results in the accuracy department.

Cooch

I too use the powerbelts over 777 pellets. I didn't like the design or looks of them at first but tried them on a lark. Got 2" at 100 yards and I think that 1/3 of that was my fault. The gun loves them so.....I USE THEM!!

OH..and I used to think more was better. Used 3 pellets...2 does just as good. At least at 100

Cubslover

Most muzzleloaders will perform best at less than their maximum loads. I've been using 100gr in a magnum capable ML for years. I'm going to see what groups I get with a small variance in my powder loads this year. 80-90-100-110-120gr.

gunnut505

Haven't shot a muzzleloader for over 35 years, but if I were to start over; I'd put the felt wad UNDER the bullet, AFTER I pushed in the pellets.

jonk

Yes, well, obviously....wad under the bullet. My concern is though that with a minie, the gas from the powder won't seal the base of the bullet properly if there is a wad; with maxis or flat base conicals, it would probably be fine.