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.....
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.....