Best Muzzleloader Bullet?

[7mmremmag]

I am new to shooting and hunting with a muzzleloader. I am just curious to which bullet you veteran muzzleloaders hunt with? I am refering to inline muzzleloaders.
I have a box of Hornady 44-240 HP/XTP and a box of TC Shockwave Sabots 250gr.

Any input would definitly be appreciated!

[Sakoman]

I shoot Hornady SST 250GR. But it is going to be whichever your gun likes best with what you choose to shoot for powder. I tried several loads before I came up with the load my gun liked.

[Huntsman]

I'm currently shoosting the 250gr SST's from my Encore but i am considering switching to the Barnes TMZ. So much for stocking up on the SST's eh, lol.
What ever shoots best for you.

Originally Posted by 7mmremmag

I am new to shooting and hunting with a muzzleloader. I am just curious to which bullet you veteran muzzleloaders hunt with? I am refering to inline muzzleloaders.
I have a box of Hornady 44-240 HP/XTP and a box of TC Shockwave Sabots 250gr.

Any input would definitly be appreciated!

The XTP is a pistol bullet used early on in muzzleloader hunting. It works surprisingly well despite its design. If you keep it sub 1800fps it works pretty darned good but the SST/Shockwave is a far superior bullet for BC and when pushed at higher speeds. Use the XTPs for some fun shooting but the Shockwaves would be my choice for hunting.

[ishootbambi]

those xtp's make a mess of anything you hit with them. the shockwave is a good bullet, but i dont think its a "better" bullet than the sst. it is what performed best in my gun, and with a decent BC it can reach out a little farther than some. not only that, they are among the most reasonably priced muzzy bullets out there. of course having said all that, try a few and see what your gun likes. after you figure that out, then buy a bunch of round balls and a can of loose pyrodex and take that thing gopher shooting.....now thats some entertainment.

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

those xtp's make a mess of anything you hit with them. the shockwave is a good bullet, but i dont think its a "better" bullet than the sst. it is what performed best in my gun, and with a decent BC it can reach out a little farther than some. not only that, they are among the most reasonably priced muzzy bullets out there. of course having said all that, try a few and see what your gun likes. after you figure that out, then buy a bunch of round balls and a can of loose pyrodex and take that thing gopher shooting.....now thats some entertainment.

Shockwaves and SSTs are identical bullets...the Shockwave is just rebranded for TC.

[ishootbambi]

cool...didnt know that. i did see that they have the same BC, and did try them once before i found the sst. thats all my local guy had. i guess they are rebranded and repriced. if they are the same why do they cost so much more? and if i remember right, dont they have a yellow tip vs the red on the sst?

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

cool...didnt know that. i did see that they have the same BC, and did try them once before i found the sst. thats all my local guy had. i guess they are rebranded and repriced. if they are the same why do they cost so much more? and if i remember right, dont they have a yellow tip vs the red on the sst?

You remember right. No idea on the cost. Maybe cause Shockey trusts his life to them

[Huntsman]

Originally Posted by ishootbambi

cool...didnt know that. i did see that they have the same BC, and did try them once before i found the sst. thats all my local guy had. i guess they are rebranded and repriced. if they are the same why do they cost so much more? and if i remember right, dont they have a yellow tip vs the red on the sst?

Cause they say "TC" on the box lol.
And yes Shockwave yellow tip, SST red.

[ishootbambi]

Originally Posted by sheephunter

You remember right. No idea on the cost. Maybe cause Shockey trusts his life to them

no guff!

[209x50]

Hornady makes both the SST and Shockwave. There is also the bonded shockwave that has worked well for me as well. 250 grain weights have been the best performers.

[ishootbambi]

ok now if hornady makes it, then that would be an interbond bullet no? and why then does hornady not offer it as an interbond i wonder?

[Huntsman]

Probably because TC has the patent (or whatever the legal thing is) on Bonded Shockwave bullets and they made an agreement with Hornady.

[7mmremmag]

Wow thanks for the schooling guys. Ill stick with the shockwave, but only because Jimmy trusts them haha.

Next question, I went to my local gun shop and bought triple 7 Magnum pellets. The owner of the shop told me to use 2 pellets for hunting! It is the red box. I recently acquired 3 of the black boxes from Hawken(Great deal thanks Hawken) They are smaller than the magnum pellets and it says they are the equivelent of 50 grains. So my question is how many of these charges do i use for hunting?

Thanks a lot for all the helpful advice guys haha

[7mmremmag]

Well after opening the box and reading the paperwork in the box Ive found out that i should only use 100 grains! Sorry guys

[209x50]

Hodgdon states 100 grains. TC permits 150 grains in many of its guns. So do many other manufacturers. Read your owners manual to see what is safe for your gun.

[7mmremmag]

Ok ill have to check and see if i still have it, Mines a CVA.

[209x50]

Probably available on line too.

[Booner Sniper]

My vote goes to the 250 gr Barnes TMZ, been shooting them for the last 2 years, took good bucks, one at 86 yards, passed through lots of damage, this year was 176 yards on a 1/4 towards me, through the point of the onside shoulder, destoyed the insides, came to rest under the hide on the far back side. Perfect 6 petal mushroom, and all petals in tack, only weight it lost was the plastic tip.

[mudbug]

Originally Posted by 7mmremmag

Ok ill have to check and see if i still have it, Mines a CVA.

If you don't have the manual most companies provide them on their web page so you can print or just read what it says. Some MFG will even send you a new manual free of charge

[srp71]

Sorry fella's but JS trusts his hunts and his life to nosler.Thats NO GUFF.

[209x50]

Originally Posted by srp71

Sorry fella's but JS trusts his hunts and his life to nosler.Thats NO GUFF.

[savagewsm]

I have been using smoke poles for about 23 years. The biggest improvement I have run into was the sabot. It allowed the use of far better bullets. My friends and I have been using 300 Gr hornady XTP's for 20 years. They have performed well and have taken a pile of game. My longest kill was at 230 yrds and my shortest was at about 12 paces. They have been accurate in my knights, gonics, whites, and now savage muzzle loaders. And they are reasonably priced as well.


I know there are a lot of pricier bullets that claim to be the magic pill that will drop everything instantly but any experienced hunter knows there is no
such thing. Wait for your best shot, be patient, and put your lead where it is suppose to go. Know how to track as now and then an animal will travel a bit even if you hit it in the right place with a $10 magic bullet.

[7mmremmag]

True enough Savage, I do realize it doesnt matter which bullet i shoot, if i cant make a good shot!!! I am not interested in even trying my muzzleloader at any more than 125 yards! I was just curious as to which bullet everyone else has had better success with!

And thats NO GUFF

[Booner Sniper]

here is a pic of the before and after of the Barnes. This is the one recovered from my Whitetail last fall.

[7mmremmag]

Wow that looks good, Pretty much 100% weight retention. Besides the plastic tip of course! I got a good deal on some SST's so im gonna try those!

[Booner Sniper]

I think the SSTs should work good as well. They way the Barnes have worked for me both years I'm gonna keep with them.