Your thoughts on 44 MBC 44 mag from 50 cal muzzleloder?

[duck911]

Hi all!

I have a 50 cal Thompson Center muzzleloader. For hunting here in Colorado, I use 50 cal maxiballs, since sabots are not legal for hunting in this state.

However, I have a significant amount of Missouri Bullet Co. 44 cal (.430) Elmer Keith lead bullets for my 44 mag.

I am always interested in how I might be able to use components between calibers should the need arise, and also just for plinking...

I know it is certainly possible to shoot .430 lead from my 50 cal ML, but I am curious if any of you have any practical experience with this.

Advice on Sabots? How to adjust power loads? Favorite sabots to use? Would I get enough accuracy to warrant even bothering working up a load?

I also have plenty of .459 MBC leads for my 45/70. Would I be better off shooting those? Same questions apply....

thanks!

 

[Snyper]

You could shoot them if you patch them like a round ball, but I wouldn't expect good accuracy.

You need a faster rate of twist for bullets vs balls, and many TC's have a "compromise" twist rate of 1:48.

I never had any luck trying sabots in that twist rate myself.