Bullets for muzzleloaders

[Addicting]

optima v2 with bh209 powder

Look up firing pin O ring on the google machine.

On those rifles the firing pin bushing screws in and out. That can be adjusted with a shim or o-ring. That an have a direct impact on your accuracy. If your getting blow back of any type from the 209 there is room for adjustment. You can dial in your groups just from that adjustment.

 

[brownbear932008]

I'm a huge fan of the Barnes TMZ it did great on my NM bull this year 250 grain. I'd possibly look at the heavier version I didn't have them available.

 

[Elkhntr50]

I’ve had great accuracy with 300 grain thors and 77 grains of Blackhorn 209 by weight out of my CVA MR-X. I’ve only hunted whitetails with this but it performed great on the two I’ve shot. One was a pass through and the other I recovered the bullet out of the back hip on a frontal shot.

 

[BillDoe708]

This past season I had a muzzleloader elk hunt in Arizona and I used Barnes .50 cal 290 grain bullets on the Bull elk I shot. It was only a 70 yard shot but he dropped 5 yards from where I hit him. Ended up being a heart shot. I did not get a full pass thru but the bullet tore him up inside. I was getting good groups out to 200 yards with that bullet

Do you have a photo of the recovered bullet?

 

[Knight.54]

My 2 cents worth look at parker productions if you have to shoot bore size(Colorado etc.).
I don’t think you have to shoot bore size in New Mexico(I think you can use a sabot)… you can probably extend your effective range with a slightly lighter bullet/sabot combo…
parker has some good sabot options as well.

 

[SCliving Outdoors]

Federal B.O.R. Lock Muzzleloader Bullets - 270 Grain​

My buddy uses them and recommend them to me. They work great. Accurate and they do their job.

 

[CowboyLeroy]

I'm a big fan of the Barnes expanders. I shoot the 300 grain and have had pass through and great blood trails on everything

 

[EastCoast94]

Do you have a photo of the recovered bullet?

No I wish I thought of that. It was almost sundown when I shot him and I was in a hurry to cut him up

 

[blueridge]

I switched from Powerbelts to Barnes Expander MZ’s, but now I drew a ML elk tag in CO so need to find a non-saboted bullet. I ordered both the Bore Driver ELD-X (340gr) and FTX (290gr) and will let the gun decide.
@Addicting , what charge of BH209 are you running?

 

[typhoon916]

I switched from Powerbelts to Barnes Expander MZ’s, but now I drew a ML elk tag in CO so need to find a non-saboted bullet. I ordered both the Bore Driver ELD-X (340gr) and FTX (290gr) and will let the gun decide.
@Addicting , what charge of BH209 are you running?

I'd like to know how those eld-x did . I bought some but haven't tried out yet.

 

[Addicting]

I switched from Powerbelts to Barnes Expander MZ’s, but now I drew a ML elk tag in CO so need to find a non-saboted bullet. I ordered both the Bore Driver ELD-X (340gr) and FTX (290gr) and will let the gun decide.
@Addicting , what charge of BH209 are you running?

110 volume, 77 weighted grains.

Always weighed my charges. The consistency is so much better. The volume changes pretty significantly with BH209, and between the old and new manufacturer/lots.

 

[Sheltowee]

Always weighed my charges. The consistency is so much better. The volume changes pretty significantly with BH209, and between the old and new manufacturer/lots.

So, so very important. I weigh charges using my electronic reloading scale and preload BH tubes for range and hunting trips.

 

[ismith]

Pure lead .577 minie ball

 

[RojoGrande]

I've shot a handful of elk with the OP's set up. Optima 2 and 295 grain powerbelts. My hunting buddy also uses the Optima 2 as well but is using Federal BOR LOK in 350 grain also with good results.

 

[typhoon916]

I've shot a handful of elk with the OP's set up. Optima 2 and 295 grain powerbelts. My hunting buddy also uses the Optima 2 as well but is using Federal BOR LOK in 350 grain also with good results.

I shot a deer with the 295 PB and it's just flattened out on me wasn't impressed with it .

 

[Sheltowee]

Pure lead .577 minie ball

You taking one of those PHs this year? Has always been a dream of mine.

 

[ismith]

You taking one of those PHs this year? Has always been a dream of mine.

That's the plan! I'm hoping one of those big town Mulies wander into Scratch Gravel or I find one of those nice Whitetails having a bad day. Or maybe one will wander through my back yard while I'm drinking coffee.