Black Powder question

[Hammer]

I have a TC rocky mountain carbine which is more traditional style cap and ball rifle. I have used 385gr maxi balls in this gun since I bought it. I was looking today and it is getting harder to find the maxi balls now, not impossible mind you, but they are not everywhere like they used to be. My question is, can I shoot the sabots in this? My fear is the plastic getting in the end of the barrel and not being able to get it out like you would be able to do in an inline.

 

[Mgderf]

I have a TC rocky mountain carbine which is more traditional style cap and ball rifle. I have used 385gr maxi balls in this gun since I bought it. I was looking today and it is getting harder to find the maxi balls now, not impossible mind you, but they are not everywhere like they used to be. My question is, can I shoot the sabots in this? My fear is the plastic getting in the end of the barrel and not being able to get it out like you would be able to do in an inline.

YES! Go ahead and shoot the sabots. You'll find as a rule, they are a little cleaner on your rifle (much easier to clean afterward)
Try Power-Belt sabots, they are VERY accurate, easy to load, and as I said, easier to clean after.

If a sabot wad(plastic) DOES come off in the barrel, either shoot it out, or use a "worm" puller

 

[IndyGunworks]

YES... load em up and shoot them.... and i think you will find a general improvement in accuracy....
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...t_do_do_with_a_rainy_thursday.html#post590969

 

[Hammer]

YES! Go ahead and shoot the sabots. You'll find as a rule, they are a little cleaner on your rifle (much easier to clean afterward)
Try Power-Belt sabots, they are VERY accurate, easy to load, and as I said, easier to clean after.

If a sabot wad(plastic) DOES come off in the barrel, either shoot it out, or use a "worm" puller

Thanks for the reply. I almost got a pack today, but wanted to check first. I just hate to sight this thing in again with a lighter round. This thing kicks like a mule.

Any suggestions on loads to start out with? With the maxi balls I was loading 120gr of FFg.

Also heard that if the barrel does not have sufficient twist it will not react as well with the sabots. The white mountain carbine has a 1:38 RH

YES... load em up and shoot them.... and i think you will find a general improvement in accuracy....
https://www.indianagunowners.com/fo...t_do_do_with_a_rainy_thursday.html#post590969

Seen that thread when I was posting this one, very good shooting BTW.

I have a Remington 700 stainless in .45 with a 3X9 bushnell scope, but like the old traditional style better. I dont know why, just something about it.

 

[bigjoe1968]

you mite wont to hornady.com and look for whats call the hard ball. its a round ball in a sabbot i use them in my t/c and i love then.i got mine at dunhams sporting goods.

 

[skier11]

I use the power belts in mine. They are dead on accurate. I use 110 gr. FFg. I'd have to dig out the package to tell you the gr. bullet. What caliber rifle do you have?

 

[VERT]

This is absolutely true. It has been many years since I shot muzzleloaders competively, but at that time we used a "slower" twist in the barrel and lead round balls. This was target shooting not hunting. I think my green mountain barrel had something like a 1:66 twist. Not at all accurate with sabots. My guess is that most new muzzelloading rifles are intended primarily for hunting and ae designed around sabots. My suggestion is try them. 1:38 is probably a medium twist intended to give flexability.

Also powder load will greatly affect accuracy. If you are using granular powder try a light load first. Shoot for groups. Increase the charge 5 grains and shoot for groups. The groups will tighten as powder is increased. Once the charge gets too high the groups will increase in size. Find the powder and projectile that works best and go for it.

 

[DHolder]

I shoot 295gr power belts out of a traditional style T/C Renegade .54cal 110gr Hogden RS. Don

 

[singlesix]

1:38 is not bad for sabots; I've had good luck using sabots with 1:48. Personally I just stick with roundballs.

 

[Hammer]

I use the power belts in mine. They are dead on accurate. I use 110 gr. FFg. I'd have to dig out the package to tell you the gr. bullet. What caliber rifle do you have?

I bought some of the 250 gr T/C sabots, have not had a chance to try them out yet though. Oh, mine is a 50 cal

This is absolutely true. It has been many years since I shot muzzleloaders competively, but at that time we used a "slower" twist in the barrel and lead round balls. This was target shooting not hunting. I think my green mountain barrel had something like a 1:66 twist. Not at all accurate with sabots. My guess is that most new muzzelloading rifles are intended primarily for hunting and ae designed around sabots. My suggestion is try them. 1:38 is probably a medium twist intended to give flexability.

Also powder load will greatly affect accuracy. If you are using granular powder try a light load first. Shoot for groups. Increase the charge 5 grains and shoot for groups. The groups will tighten as powder is increased. Once the charge gets too high the groups will increase in size. Find the powder and projectile that works best and go for it.

Yes, it takes time to get a B P rifle shooting at its prime. Thanks for the info.

1:38 is not bad for sabots; I've had good luck using sabots with 1:48. Personally I just stick with roundballs.

Thought about the round balls, but just like the accuracy of either a maxi ball or sabot.

 

[bigjoe1968]

its fine shoot them all you wont thay are ok .and you mite wont to look at hornady . com frist to find your buffalos or dumhan thay cary a good amount of black powre stuffe.