New Smokeless ML Field Report

[Okie4570]

40gr of 5744 gave me 2130fps with a 250gr bullet.
44gr of 5744 with the same bullet was 2260fps..................so I'm not sure where to guess on the 200gr with that charge of 5744...........probably about the same velocity I'm guessing..........??? Less powder.....less bullet.

 

[dennishoddy]

I'm shooting 42 grains of IMR something, (I can't remember and not walking out to the shop to check).

I get 2310 FPS with a 250 grain Hornady SST.

The 300 Grain takes less powder. It relies on the resistance of bullet weight to build pressure. My buddy shoots the 300 grain, he shoots 39 grains to get the same velocity across my Chrony.

 

[ousoonerfan22]

So if you were going to try a 200 yard shot on a whitetail would you choose a 200 gr or a 250 gr bullet?

 

[Okie4570]

So if you were going to try a 200 yard shot on a whitetail would you choose a 200 gr or a 250 gr bullet?

We've shot out to 300y on steel rams at the range with 250gr. I've never taken a deer over 190y with it though..............and most have been under 50y

 

[dennishoddy]

175 is my top range to take a deer with the Savage. Elevated about 3" and enjoyed the eating after.

 

[dennishoddy]

So if you were going to try a 200 yard shot on a whitetail would you choose a 200 gr or a 250 gr bullet?

A lot of what your asking depends on the velocity of the bullet vs the weight of the bullet.

 

[dennishoddy]

So if you were going to try a 200 yard shot on a whitetail would you choose a 200 gr or a 250 gr bullet?

I've killed a ton of deer with a .55 grain in .223 and .22-250.

That being said, you have to use the bullet that is the most accurate for the gun you have in your hand. It takes range time to figure that out.

 

[ousoonerfan22]

Plus what your gun likes? You could push the limit with the 200 gr or back off some and have an accurate round with the 250 gr? so would you just choose what your gun groups the best?

I type too slow!

 

[Okie4570]

Remember with the ML you're adding the variable of the sabot and/or sub base to the equation. We pushed some 200gr SST's really fast, and some fairly slow and never got the groups that the 250gr and 300gr bullets did. Batchman and ElkStalkers ML's are .45 calibers vs. mine/Dennis/Bassin's .50 cal Savages.

 

[ousoonerfan22]

I've shot deer with a muzzleloader that dropped in their tracks then shot some that ran off with out dropping any blood and help track others with no blood trail so I really don't trust sabot bullets a 100%. That why this smokeless muzzleloader is interesting with the higher velocities but I would probably choose the 250 gr.