45 caliber

[Purebred Redneck]

I think I found a hell of a deal on a brand new but discontinued x-150 winchester. I did some looking about 3 years ago when trying to buy a muzzleloader for my dad and was VERY impressed by it. I even ordered it before realizing he actually bought another brand

But I found a good deal that is hard for even me to pass up. The problem is it's a 45cal.
And this has me concerned

I saw a deer killed with a 50cal last year and I wasn't all that impressed with the 240gr hornady xtp pistol slug. I would of used something a little heavier in the xtp line.
But in looking in the cabelas catalog, I'm seeing a somewhat limited 45cal sabot choices with most heavy pistol bullets being around 180-200gr.

I guess my questions are

1. how are these smaller dia / smaller wieght bullets going to compare to it's bigger brother on big deer? Keeping in mind from the other forum that I tend to like the more powerful round.

2. How are these "heavy for caliber" 200gr bullets going to react in a 1in28 twist? They even make a 285gr conical that I'd take a VERY hard look at.

[dakota]

I think solid lead is better than pistol bullets. If I had to shoot something with more power I would use a solid lead slug (such as a Maxi) only. If I was to use pistol bullets, I would use a slug that would not break up such as a partition bullet.
My experience with pistol slugs is limited though. I have witnessed others using them. I have only used round ball on game, but have used maxi-balls in practice and have considered them.

[bounce]

maxi-balls in .45 are very theathal on deer. used them when I 1st started muzzeliading years ago, went for the more accurate ball & patch but it was fine for deer and plenty enough. same thing really as useing a 45-70 or 45-90 45-110 ect. and I'm shure it works just like this even in a trash can gun!!

[Jack]

I've never been real impressed with pistol bullet performance out of an ML. Seen a few deer killed with them.
I like a full diameter Minie ball or Maxi ball a lot better. I'd load one of those in .45 if I had that rifle, and feel confident they'd do the job.

[bounce]

The one thing I do remeber now was this, allways check frequenly that the mine or maxi does not slide down the barrel some as you carry it around, it is greased not patched and this can happen. make sure your load is tight for fireing!!

[Purebred Redneck]

Yep, the bullets do have the tendancy to slide up a bit sometimes.

I would definatly prefer to use the full size 45 conincal/maxis. Even if they only got 4-5 inches at 100 that would be more than enough accuracy.

[bounce]

I think I have seen some get 2" and thats pretty good. It's ben a while sence I or anyone I know has Played with them. Just was looking to see if I could find the mold I used, I din't but as I think now it was a LEE 45? in a minie Ithink and worked well in a $60 kit gun back in the late 70's it was a gun rifled so one could go ether way patched or minie. Mine now would not shoot a minie as the rifleing is too deep, and a true minie rifle will not shoot a pached ball as it is much too shallow.

[deputydon]

bounce said:

I think I have seen some get 2" and thats pretty good. It's ben a while sence I or anyone I know has Played with them. Just was looking to see if I could find the mold I used, I din't but as I think now it was a LEE 45? in a minie Ithink and worked well in a $60 kit gun back in the late 70's it was a gun rifled so one could go ether way patched or minie. Mine now would not shoot a minie as the rifleing is too deep, and a true minie rifle will not shoot a pached ball as it is much too shallow.

LOL ...LOL Bounce ya got me to thinkin' 'bout my first ML'er.......Also in the mid-to-later 70's Damn lucky I didn't blow myself up the way I abused the gun AND the load!!! BTW do ya realize we've been ML'ing for most of thirty years........... Your gettin' old !!!!!!!!!!! LOL LOL LOL You too Bill and TM's LOL LOL LOL LOL

[Jack]

Lee makes some real inexpensive Minie ball moulds. I use their 50 caliber Minie ball mold- dunno what they make in 45

[bounce]

Two Bionic knees, 1 total Bionic hip, two hearing aids, glasses, and store bought teeth, I realize and am not argueing with you D*D, I supoise that your load then was overdone just as it is today!! 45- 225?

[stumpjumper]

Red ~
Patch & ball isn't really a good option in those 1-28" twists. I have never been a fan in those sabots either, but the sabots are just my opinion. With those 1-28" / 1-32" twist I like conicals. Buffalo Bullets I thick are on the top of my list. I have killed more deer with the Buffalo Ball-ets then any other given projectile I've ever tried (only in .50 cal. have I tried these bullets). Just to give ya an idea of some different pills you want to take ya a look at, that have worked good in my .45 or someone else's while playin' at the range.

Buffalo Bullet Co.
285 gr. H.P.
325 gr. H.P. Flat base
190 gr. Rd. Nose - (Don't take this as bein' an inadequate or weak pill. How many deer have been cleanly killed with a .50 cal. R.B. at this weight)

I also like:
Thompson Center
255 gr. maxi's

Hornady
285 gr. Great Plains H.B - H.P.

[Purebred Redneck]

I'm not a huge fan of TC bullets. They're alright though.

Buffalo bullets suck IMO but their ball-ets are actually pretty good.

I LOVE those hornady great plains (grin)

[stumpjumper]

I love those ball-ets. They are great in most of my cheap & top line muzzys. Just have to work up differant powder charges & grades. They have served me well. Most deer dropped on the spot with conical. However, the past season I shot a mid-sized doe, & dropped her. It was gettin' dark so I dragged her out & was goin' to gut her at home. (I don't gut a deer around my stands anyway, because that draws coyotes in on my stands.) Well, wouldn't ya no that little lady came too in the back of my van & I had to wrasal it cause there was know way I was gonna shot it again while in the van. She put a woopin on me, but I won after a strugle.
The only rifle that gets patch & ball only is my Hatfield. The super slow twist won't allow anything else....

[Purebred Redneck]

Geez, sounds like a great experience lol