Produced by Barnes as the muzzleloader version of their legendary copper X-Bullet, the polymer tipped Barnes TMZ and TEZ are outstanding muzzleloader bullets. That said, these bullets arent limited to use in the CVA Paramount though. If you are looking for the best saboted bullet for your next muzzleloader hunt, you cannot go wrong with the Traditions Smackdown XR. I just ordered my first muzzle loader. In this category, we are looking for a bullet that is easy to load and does not compromise gas seal or bullet performance. The Speed Breech 3 breechplug is of the fully enclosed (not exposed) design, which could impact its use in states with especially stringent muzzleloader hunting rules. These are the cheapest muzzleloader bullets around, but they still work very well for sighting in your scope and practicing your marksmanship. Remington was trying to build a muzzleloader with a 300 yard lethal range, so they also needed a bullet that could handle up to a 200 grain powder charge. Anyone using or try the Blackhorn 209 powder in there T/C Encore & Pro Hunter muzzle loaders ? I am brand new to muzzleloading. By and large, they were very successful in that regard and hunters have given it rave reviews as a long range muzzleloader bullet: its accurate, expands rapidly, and retains nearly 100% of its weight. These bullets are also capable of incredible accuracy and, since they are made from a copper alloy, create a large wound channel while retaining a large percentage of their original weight. The "U.S. Rifle, Caliber .30, Model of 1903," better-known as the M1903 Springfield, has become one of the most popular U.S. military small arms to collect. Keep the performance. Since the TMZ and TEZ are designed for rapid expansion, high weight retention, and deep penetration, these bullets are excellent choices for hunters after both medium and large sized game like deer, black bear, and elk. Loggy, I hunted with the 250grn XTP this past hunting season. I submit that if your Muzzleloading bullet is designed to shoot its best in a 1 in 28 twist barrel, this will occur somewhere between 100 and 120 grains of . The Harvester crush rib sabots make a huge difference. Thompson Center Breech Plug For Impact Muzzleloader 7761 $21.99 $21.49. Though regulations vary from place to place, no matter what or where in North America you hunt, there is likely something that will work well for you on the list below of 15 of the best muzzleloader bullets currently available on the market. Ultimately, we gave the award to the Barnes SpitFire T-EZ. Aside from not being available locally, I can't think of any reason to not switch to Blackhorn 209. The Pacific Northwest and specifically Oregon and Idaho are known for having the most strict and complicated muzzleloader regulations in the country. Lock and PowerBelt ELR are all contenders for this award, but with all things considered The Hornady BoreDriver FTX wins this one. Unless there is excessive play (side to side when the frame is open), its going to shoot fine and you won't have a problem with it. Replies 23 Views 623. We think that the diversity of options is a good thing for muzzleloading and believe that it will lead to more engagement in our sport. The 250 grain version is perfect for deer sized game while the 300 grain version is ideal for bigger creatures like elk and moose. Thanks Jim. Shockwave load back in December. I could take a frozen milk jug filled with water and make crushed ice at 100 yards. The Thompson Center Shockwave bullet is available in 200 grain, 250 grain, and 300 grain bullet weights. New for 2023 the Hornady ELD-X bullet is our pick for the best new bullet on the market for this year. When pairing the Paramount technology with the . Theyre remarkably accurate, very easy to load, and have excellent terminal performance on thin skinned game like deer. After thorough shooting, testing and customer feedback, our team has assembled what we think are the Best Muzzleloader Bullets for 2023. with a Leupold VXIII 3x9-50. #1. The .45 caliber PowerBelt AeroLite bullets are legal muzzleloader bullets in Colorado for hunting all species of big game except elk and moose (like black bear, deer, pronghorn, etc.). A stuck muzzleloader ball is something that needs to be taken care of as soon as possible. That's where the CVA Wolf shines. All orders are subject to acceptance by Muzzle-Loaders.com, which reserves the right to refuse any order. Because the rifle is interchangeable and the swap is so simple, you can easily make the Encore fit any situation. Title 18, U.S. Code, Section 921(a)(16) defines antique firearms as all guns manufactured prior to 1899. Blackpowder bullets started with a round ball and over the course of a few hundred years, have developed bullets like the PowerBelt ELR and Thor Lightning. The .50 caliber PowerBelt AeroLite bullets are legal for hunting elk, moose, and all other species of big game in Colorado. You really couldnt expect any better performance. Two 50 grain pellets of 777 pushing a T/C Shockwave bullet that uses a T/C Superglide sabot. Get the best deals on Range & Shooting Black Powder Accessories when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The XR bullet technology features a high ballistic coefficient and is designed to perform at any range. XTP's, Harvester Crushrib sabots and two (100 gr.) For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. For a better experience, please enable JavaScript in your browser before proceeding. I hope these manufacturers come out with more copper bullets for us 45 cal muzzle loaders users. If you have a Colorado muzzleloader hunt scheduled, we highly recommend the Hornady BoreDriver FTX. The spike I shot at 115 yards went 25 yards before going down. github twitter windows; what is the highest temperature that frost will occur; list of exclusive brethren businesses; hartlepool mail archives FFG . However, it is ultimately the responsibility of the buyer to be in compliance of laws that govern their specific locale. Instead of using a sabot or a plastic skirt on the base of the bullet, this bullet has an innovative design featuring a black polymer cup attached to its base that engages the rifling and seals the barrel. Resting beneath the barrel is an anodized aluminum ramrod measuring 0.367" in diameter and threaded to accept 10-32-thread-pattern accessories. I checked with an expert on that hinge pin and the possibility of reaming out both the frame and barrel, so that alternative hinge pins are acceptable. Initial reviews of the CVA Paramount and the PowerBelt ELR have been very positive with the bullet getting very high marks for its impressive trajectory and incredible accuracy. To ease loading, the barrel features what T/C coined Quick Load Accurizer (QLA); essentially, the last inch of barrel length is devoid of rifling. The Federal BOR is a California and Colorado legal muzzleloader bullet. Between five-shot strings the breechplug was removed and cleaned, too. Ported: BBL-03779: 3000. This rule is particularly restrictive as there are not many modern projectiles that comply, however, PowerBelt created a bullet that provides a unique edge for those looking to muzzleloader hunt in Idaho. Copyright 2023 National Rifle Association, Women On Target Instructional Shooting Clinics, Volunteer At The Great American Outdoor Show, Marion P. 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Lastly, because T/C sought an especially tight seal despite widely varying tolerances of 209 shotshell primers, when closing the FX it must be done smartly so as to permit lockup, otherwise, the gun appears to be ready to fire but the hammer cannot be cocked. Is the trigger identical to a reg prohunter? These bullets also offer absolutely devastating terminal performance on deer sized game. Come join the discussion about optics, hunting, gunsmithing, gear, troubleshooting, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more! The Hornady FPB was the most accurate bullet I shot until I started using Blackhorn 209, then the BOR became the best. Next I am going to play with some Pyrodex and see what happens. Wish they still made all lead. Its all copper design boasts nearly 100% weight retention and excellent expansion making it perfect for any big game animal. 45 CALIBER SMOKELESS POWDER MUZZLELOADER. We have examined many different bullets in this article, all of which have proven themselves in their respective categories but that begs the question, what is the best overall bullet? $19.99 - $24.99. They shoot awesome and are very easy to load. I haven't hunted with the XTP's yet, but will this fall. When loaded w/ 39.5gr IMR 4198 or H4198 (compressed load) 100.6%to 101% fill (over 90% burn very clean) 300 gr XTP Mag Hornady or 300gr JSP FN Sierra. Bullets Lubricated with Bore Butter Use Musket Cap, #11 Cap or 209 Primer.50 Caliber Rifle. This round will be capable of killing any North American big game and in our opinion may be the best plastic based bullet on the market to date. If you are interested in any of these bullets, they are all available on our website and you are welcome to contact our friendly and knowledgable customer service team at 1-855-236-5000 or you can send us an email at sales@muzzle-loaders.com if you have any questions. So, these bullets area great choice for a meat and potatoes kind of hunter who doesnt wantto spend a ton of time at the range doing load development, but needs a good quality bullet for whitetail deer huntingat short to medium range. T/C Encore / Omega owners can order a new 416 Stainless breech plug with 10 adapters for $59.95. $5.99. What do you think? The company boasts an impressive .45 caliber ELR muzzleloader-specific bullet that advertises just a bit over a foot of drop at 300 yards from a 200 yard zero. The Thompson Center Pro Hunter is one of the best made rifles in America. BH209 with Hornady 300gr SST or the 290gr Barnes. I'll let you know in a couple of weeks. Though round balls havent changed much since the days of Daniel Boone, they will still work with good shot placement. The Thor Hammer offers a custom gas seal that is unique to your muzzleloader providing you with the best possible shot-to-shot consistency. If you have not as yet used Parker Bullets, you can read a little bit more about us right here. If anyone has this particular gun and shoots copper or just anyone with info I would greatly appreciate it. The BOR bullets load easily in my specific barrel (your results may vary), enabling a second and third shot without swabbing the barrel. You won't be able to find much better versatility and accuracy for . The problem with the Hornady FPB is as stated above they are very difficult to load, and a second shot (if necessary) would be nearly impossible in the field. Its not the best muzzleloader bullet out there, but its reasonably priced and will work really well for deer hunters in most situations. The 247 grain and 297 grain bullets use a hollow point instead of a polymer tip, so those bullets are also Oregon legal muzzleloader bullets. SKU:727_M This is a California legal muzzleloader bullet. 230 grain HP/XTP bullets with a Harvester chrusher sabots and Winchester 777 primers. S. W. T/C Pro Hunter. The BoreDrivers weigh in at 290 grains which makes them an excellent option for both elk and deer. 5. Hodgdon Triple-Seven pellets ignited by a Federal Fusion 209 primer. Hornady's belted bullet predecessor the FTX bullet was a complete success and delivered almost unbelievable . I bought a new T/C Endeavor Prohunter Encore a couple months ago and I am having trouble with the first shot not grouping with the other shots. Cabelas was sold out of it as of yesterday. Get the best deals on thompson center muzzleloader when you shop the largest online selection at eBay.com. The PowerBelt AeroLite has been one of our most popular bullets for many years and for good reason. The PowerBelt AeroLite muzzleloader bullets made the cut for my holiday gift recommendations. I shoot Blackhorn in my Triumph. Way better than 777. Just like the name states, the Traditions Plinker is designed for use at the range. Including options as a pistol as well. Because of this, we are going to choose two bullets for this category, one for Oregon and one for Idaho. However, the NitroFire is compatible with any brand of muzzleloader bullets. Have tried THOR bullets in .501 and.502 diameters but .501s are too loose and .502s are too tight . In fact, I would use a 300 grain Thor Hammer if I were planning onhunting moose(or any other really big critter) with my muzzleloader. Jan 12, 2011. Thompson Center Power Ball Bullet Starter All Calibers $34.99 (Save 31%) $23.99. T7 if BH is not available. We have tested these bullets extensively and in our opinion, they are the best option for anyone looking to muzzleloader hunt in Oregon. CVA PARAMOUNT PRO ; Best Mountain Muzzleloader. Romans 10:9: "that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." This year, H&R announced an expansion of its AR-15 lineup, bringing additional "retro" models to the market, including a 9 mm Luger-chambered Colt SMG clone, an M16A2-styled rifle and the carbine-size 723. The Hornady muzzleloader round balls are also Idaho legal muzzleloading bullets. I was on Cecil Epps site and he has a ton of good information about the pro hunter. 5. It seems BH 209 is the way to go. We love you and are here if you have any questions. The Hornady Bore Driver FTX is a 290 grain muzzleloader bullet. The TMZ is a good choice of bullet but, if the bore is tight you may want to switch to the T-EZ, until you get the rifle broke in and the machine marks out of the rifle. Additionally, Thor makes 247 grain and 297 grain hollow point bullets without a plastic tip. In my Pro Hunter I used 115 grains of Blackhorn 209 and 300grain Hornady XTP Bullet. Thompson Center T17 Prohunter Access Kit $49.99 (Save 15%) $42.59. Its currently available in 250 grain and 300 grain configurations. How did you get the hinge pin out? Like the ELR bullet, the PowerBelt AeroLite also features the iconic PowerBelt gas seal so you can count on shot-to-shot consistency. 250gr Barnes Spitfire TMZ's with 100gr of Blackhorn shoots great out of my Encore. The new Speed Breech. This helps support the blog and allows me to continue to create free content thats useful to hunters like yourself. I've hunted almost everyday of my life.The rest have been wasted!! They come in .44 green and .45 black for .50 caliber. Swift Bullet Company is packaging its highly regarded A-frame bullet in new A-Frame Black Powder Sabots for .50 and .54 caliber muzzleloaders. VerticalScope Inc., 111 Peter Street, Suite 600, Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2H1, Canada. It is our passion to simplify muzzleloading and make the sport easily accessible. Like you said though, finding them in stock can be tough. The extra powder will probably burn outside the barrel. WE DO NOT SHIP FIREARMS AND/OR FIREARMS' PARTS OUT OF THE 50 UNITED STATES, SO DON'T . Many are reporting exceptional groups and they're putting the hammer on the deer. More on the way they said. Right about 90 grains (according to what i remmber from the charts) is a break even point where 10 more grains of powder results in the same velocity. The same goes for PowerBelt bullets and CVA muzzleloaders, etc. 45/330 grain for the .54 caliber muzzleloading rifle Is an excellent option for muzzleloading users. Not surprisingly, these are one of the favorite bullets of Mark Drury, Terry Drury, and the rest of the Drury Outdoors team. Up to about 90 grains much more velocity is acheived with every 10 grains of powder used in a specific barrel. Just wasn't the gun for me, didn't like the barrel swaping and wanted just an inline muzzleloader. The .50 caliber PowerBelt Platinum bullets are legal for hunting elk, moose, and all other species of big game in Colorado. Price: $12.95. In conclusion, it's hard to go wrong when choosing a muzzleloader bullet in 2023. Its easy to load, very accurate, and nothing Ive shot with the TEZ has ran more than 50 yards afterwards. Live From The Tree. A strong case could be made for any one of these bullets but we give the award to the Traditions Smackdown XR. I made it to the range again today, finally. For instance, Thompson Center bullets tend to shoot very accurately out of a Thompson Center muzzleloader. What does everyone recommend as far as powder and how much for either of these bullets ? Thompson/Center Pro Hunter FX Breech Plug PH TC T/C. The T/C Encore Pro Hunter generally includes upgraded stocks with "Flex Tech" inserts that are . Today is the day of salvation, if you know the Holy Spirit is prompting you to confess your sins to God and ask for His mercy through the blood of Jesus Christ shed on the cross for you, don't wait. I load 100 grains and a 300 grain XTP with Harvester sabots. The Hornady SST has a very well deserved reputation for accuracy and ease of loading in a wide variety of muzzleloaders. Anyone using or try the Blackhorn 209 powder in there T/C Encore & Pro Hunter muzzle loaders ? (18) 18 product ratings - Muzzle-Loaders Bullet Puller for Round Balls and Sabots - .50/54 Caliber. Jul 23, 2018. According to a Lyman Electronic Trigger Pull Gauge, the test rifles average trigger pull weight was 4 lbs., 3 ozs. The reason most of us use loose powder is that to acheive the maximum accuracy results (ie tightest group) one must try different powder charges usually in 5 -10 grain increments. Keep your powder and primers dry. In chatting . Price: $12.50. Thompson Encore Bergara 50 Cal. I know that for $20 I can buy a pound of Goex or Pyrodex and it will last so long I will have forgotten when and where I bought that pound. The bullet is also 100% copper making it one of a select few bullets that are legal in California. Combined with a seemingly limitless array of barrel lengths and caliber options, including wildcats and rimfires, as well as smoothbore and rifled shotgun and muzzleloader barrels, the stage was set for success.Interestingly, despite the aforementioned inherent flexibility, some hunters opt for an additional Encore in lieu of swapping barrels, preferring to keep the rifle as purchased. Combine this with the quality PowerBelt gas seal and you have a bullet that is unmatched at longer ranges. Theres one critical difference though: Thor Lightning bullets are designed to be self-sizing to your bore, so theres no need to purchase a Thor bullet sizing pack and measure your bore size beforehand. Advancements in bullet technology over the years have left muzzleloader projectiles almost unrecognizable. What is everyones REALISTIC dream animal to hunt. Prices vary on this brand, but the MSRP on the .45 caliber ELR bullets is $34 per pack of 15. Jim, You were right 1/8 was the right size. 44/50 300grn DeadCenter. Hunters needed to purchase aThor bullet sizing packfirst to ensure they were using the correct size bullets for their specific muzzleloader. personally I would shoot BH209 (if you can find it) and start with 90 grains by volume of it and work up to about 110 grains. As previously mentioned, I have shot this very gun in an older model (20 years to date) and found it to be ultra-accurate and easy to work with in the field. That bullet is shown directly above, on the far right. This year, we believe that the CVA Paramount HTR .40 Caliber muzzleloader is the winner of Best New Muzzleloader for 2021. The unconventional Federal PremiumBullet Obturating Ramp (BOR) Lock muzzleloader bullet is the exact opposite of the PowerBelt or Shockwave. Based on all the information I have read, I will probably start out trying thompson center shockwave and/or hornady SST 250 grain sabots. JOIN THOMPSON/CENTER INSIDER TODAY. Hornadys InterLock ring paired with their FlexTip technology produces a bullet that has both excellent weight retention and expansion. Similar to Nosler's BT Hunting center-fire-series bullets, those in the . to accurize. Best on a Budget: CVA Wolf. Extreme Elite 45/300 grain for .54 caliber. For Use With .50 Cal. In our opinion, this is the best muzzleloader bullet in Idaho. Firing five consecutive, five-shot groups, the most accurate combination proved to be Cutting Edges 160-gr. The Encore is a break-action single-shot that makes switching calibers a breeze. a shot group of 3 is most common,and a quick easy way to do it is to measure the distance between the centers of the two most widely separated bullet holes..Simple enough.Yeah there's a ton of ways to do it,but that's how I do it.Of course that's if you feel like all three shot were on,and you didn't pull off target. Shop high-quality sabots and bullets for your muzzleloading rifle from America's Master Gunmaker. Hornady's belted bullet predecessor the FTX bullet was a complete success and delivered almost unbelievable performance. Bottom line: To get the best results, you have to spend some time and money on different combinations to find what works best for your rifle. with the BH209 you MUST pick up regular primers . Muzzle-Loaders.com works diligently to be aware of these ever-changing laws and obeys them accordingly. Use Musket Cap, No.11 Cap or 209 Primer..50 Caliber Rifle. Fishers, IN. It might be worthwhile to check out the Thor Lightning bullets. Go with the Thompson center cheap shots. Next time I am going to break out the lead sled and spend some time on it. Unveiled in 2013, Nosler's Jim Shockey Signature Series Ballistic Tip (BT) MZ muzzleloader bullets are the only ones in this survey that utilize lead in its construction. Hey Loggy, I know this doesn't pertain directly to an Encore, BUT, It does pertain to a very similar T/C product which I have shot quite a bit and that is the Omega in .50 caliber. We could make a strong case for the Thor Hammer, PowerBelt ELR, and Hornady BoreDriver FTX but with all things considered, the award of best muzzleloader bullet of 2023 goes to the PowerBelt ELR. This I shoot until I'm bored with no fouling. In the valley of the Dry Fork in Western KY. I've done trigger jobs on Encore frames but never the FX. BUY TRADITIONS SMACKDOWN BLEED BULLETS HERE. We assume no liability associated with misuse of our products. 5 shots 5 deer! John. Might be why I always had issues with it..Didn't have a good instructor.. Also what is the best way to clean your breech plug? The FPB is also highly regarded as a well constructed muzzleloader bullet ideal for use on larger tougher species of game and for leaving minimal residue in the barrel after firing. White hot does not foul the barrel as much as I'm cleaning a lot less in between shots. Given its unequaled adaptability and, thus, versatility, the single-shot, break-action Thompson/Center Arms Encore, which was introduced in 1997, was bound to become the most popular switch-barrel firearm evereven eclipsing its predecessor, the Contender. Groups were three shots 110 gr, avg velocity 2043, group 4" 115 gr, avg velocity 2094, group 2.5" 120 gr, avg velocity 2158, group 2.25" (two in same hole, one out 2") I have been considering replacing the hinge pin because it does have some looseness to it. This law exempts antique firearms from any form of gun control or special engineering. - NASB 1995. If you only want to dip your toe into muzzleloader hunting, an $800 rifle isn't the way to go. Not only are they some of the least expensive muzzleloader bullets out there, but they are also available in a wide variety of sizes, which makes them a great choice for hunters looking for .32, .36, .44, .45, .50, and/or.54 caliber muzzleloading bullets. While there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a plain old round ball or an old school conical bullet, there are plenty of other choices available for hunters who want to hunt with the absolute best muzzleloader bullets possible.