New muzzleloader - have question on .45 cal load

[GunGoBoom]

Just got a new .45 cal ML (Traditions Thunderbolt nickel-plated, on sale for $99). Gonna use this for a special doe hunt Oct 15-16, which I drew into.

Since I have on hand now triple 7 in .45, in 50 gr pellets, it would seem I have exactly 2 choices of powder charge, 50 or 100 gr. Which would you recommend I try at my first range session with my bullet of choice? - powerbelt 275 gr HPs (the heaviest available in .45 cal). Is 50 gr enough to propel it at enough velocity to have expansion of the bullet? Which load (50 or 100) would I likely get best accuracy with (I'm guessing 50)? And would you recommend I try a different bullet weight than 275 instead? The powerbelts, for example, come in 275, 225, 195, and 175. I'm very newbish on ML/BP stuff. (oh, I suppose I *could* try 150 gr charge, but I ain't gonna do that - don't need the recoil - heck, even Matt Quigley only needed 110 grains for his .45 cal rifle )

I know, there's nothing traditional about this setup, but at this point in time, I view MLs as simply a way to extend rifle season. This could change, but for now.....

 

[Chawbaccer]

I would of expected you would of gotten some load info with it. For round balls the traditional load is one grain of powder for each caliber ie. 45 grains of black powder for a 45 caliber round ball. I do't like the pellets- over priced and limited loads. I suggest you get a measure and use loose powder to work up a load that works best in your gun.

 

[GunGoBoom]

I suggest you get a measure and use loose powder to work up a load that works best in your gun.

That would be a good suggestion if I had more time. But I'm not gonna spend time working up a load for a season that lasts 1 week (1/52nd of the year). I'm going to pick 1 load of 2 of the easy-to-clean triple 7 loads, and either one will kill a deer at the short ranges I shoot if I make sure I'm grouping decently with a dozen or two test shots, and take a good shot. But can anyone here with more ML experience can tell me whether I'd more likely to be happy with a 50 gr or 100 gr load, and therefore should try first? Ranges will likely be 75 yards or less because the the thick woods where I'm going this year during ML season and this special 2 day hunt (actually, they WILL be 75 or less, because that's what I will be limiting myself to).

 

[oneshooter]

Maybe you should not hunt with this rifle this year. Spend some range time with it and find a load it shoots well.

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas


I really don't like inlines.

 

[Beartracker]

My .45 shoots best and most accurate with 70 g. black powder . 45 g. is a good starting point for working up the load that works best for you.
Don't know anything about inline and really don't care to. If you like it go for it but for me it just loses the old romance or love for the real smoke poles.