250 gr Barnes T-EZ vs 290 gr Barnes T-EZ

[Lonewolf72]

I was lucky enough to score tags this year for both muzzleloader deer and muzzleloader elk here in Utah. I have a CVA Accura V2 .50 cal muzzleloader and currently doing load development. I would like to settle on one bullet if possible for both elk and deer. Would a 250 gr Barnes T-EZ be sufficient for both deer and elk, or would it be best to use the 290 gr Barnes T-EZ? Thanks.

 

[ENCORE]

Use the 290gr. Much more energy.

 

[HntnFsh]

Yep. Go heavier!

 

[slsplets]

X2

 

[brownie9582]

290 for sure, I shot that with Blackhorn 209 on a NM elk hunt and was driving tacks out to 300 with my Pro Hunter FX. Felt very confident to that distance but never practiced any further as thats all the room I have here to shoot!

 

[Lonewolf72]

I figured as much. I could only find the 250s locally and had a bunch. I just stumbled upon some 290s and will give them a try. Thanks for your thoughts.

 

[Lonewolf72]

I will be using BH209. Guess I'll start around 100 or 110 grains by volume.

 

[HntnFsh]

The other thing is that to me with my Knight Bighorn the Barnes Tez bullets really didnt load any easier than 300 grain mz expander so I stuck with those and switched to hp 24 sabots.

 

[etapia]

I'd go with 290 for elk. Also, give a look at the Barnes TMZ line. The boattail design is better if your bore is large enough to accommodate them. Mine was not so I shoot the T-EZ instead but it's worth you trying them out.

 

[Lonewolf72]

Looks like I need to simplify and sell off some 250 T-EZ!

 

[SteveCNJ]

I will be using BH209. Guess I'll start around 100 or 110 grains by volume.

I shoot the 290's over BH209 and use 70 gr by weight. Delivers 1845 fps out of my TC Bone Collector.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Tapatalk

 

[Ono]

For what it's worth, Nowotny used a 460 gr no excuses bullet on his muzzy elk last year, Knight Wolverine 50. Have not tried them in my Knight or CVA.

 

[njbowhntr]

I use the 290’s in my TC Pro Hunter with 80 grains, by weight, of BH209. Now my use is for whitetail but they have been great. They stay together and leave an amazing wound track. Accuracy I could not be happier with. I have shot more accurate bullets, but horrible results on animals. I will be shooting the 290’s for as long as they keep making them.

 

[Lonewolf72]

The best accuracy for me so far is with 105 grains by volume of BH 209...it's gonna have to work because the UT general deer muzzleloader season starts tomorrow!

 

[ENCORE]

The best accuracy for me so far is with 105 grains by volume of BH 209...it's gonna have to work because the UT general deer muzzleloader season starts tomorrow!

Good luck. Post some photos if successful .

 

[afdiamond1]

This is just the info I'm looking for. My buddy just was drawn for a NM tag that was donated back to the Game and Fish and given to a Veteran's Organization. He's using my Accura and I just ordered some 290 grainers. I've had good luck with the 250 TEZ and BH 209. Looking forward to seeing what I can do with the 290. Even looking more forward to helping him on his hunt this year!

 

[afdiamond1]

Well, 110 grains volume of BH209(weight measured to 77 grains) seemed to be the ticket for the 290 grain Barnes. I called this bull into 35 yards from my buddy and he put it through his shoulder. He ran 60 yards and piled up. The hunt lasted 30 minutes. The quartering and packing took 11 hours!