Conical vs Jacketed

[<cascadehunter>]

I’ve been doing a lot of research prepping to dive back into muzzleloading. I’ve seen no excuses recommended the most consistently, but now that Idaho and Colorado allow modern jacketed bullets, is there a better option? Coming from match bullets in centerfires, it’s hard to wrap my mind around slinging an all lead conical with modern options available. Are no excuses just the best conical, or do the large-bore low-velocity characteristics of muzzle loaders actually favor a conical over jacketed for terminal performance?

 

[<cascadehunter>]

Anyone?

 

[ElDiablito]

I favor modern jacketed or monometal bullets and modern powders (777, Bh209 or smokeless). Lead conicals are effective and I use them in some of my old White muzzleloaders but modern bullets offer lots of advantages. For hunting, where legal, a good modern bullet in a sabot is perfect.

 

[<cascadehunter>]

What are some bullets you recommend? I was able to find reports of poor performance for nearly every bullet I researched, minus NE and Fury. So I may give Fury a try. I’m anti-mono, unless there’s a reason monos make more sense in MZs than CFs.
For context, wanting to get to 200 on elk with 90-100gr 777

 

[ElDiablito]

Where are you researching muzzy bullet performance? I’d take a peek at the tests done by this guy for some baseline info.

CAPTURED BULLETS

As for elk bullets (300 ish gr) jacketed bullets with a great reputation (my experience and others’), I’d consider, Nosler Partitions, Swift A-Frames and TC bonded Shockwaves. I would not go lighter than 300 gr. bullets. Barnes are great, but if you don’t like monos….Fury also makes a great bullet but pretty thinly-jacketed and soft. I wouldn’t consider them ideal for elk.

If you’re only shooting to 200 yards on elk, a heavy (460-600 gr) conical lead is tough to beat for reliable terminal performance.

Why are you limiting yourself to 100 grV 777?

 

[<cascadehunter>]

I’ve just been scanning Rokslide and modernmuzzleloaders. I don’t have an account over there, maybe I should.
I wasn’t aware anyone was shooting partitions out of MZs. I presume that would be a .45 in a sabot? Worth reading up on for sure
Good to know about Fury’s.
I have a sizing pack from NE that just showed up. Seems to be a safe route.
I wouldn’t say limited to 100grV, I guess that’s just where I’d planned to start and work up or down until I’m happy with the groups

 

[<cascadehunter>]

I’m all ears though. I have a 101 level of understanding with MZs, and would like to graduate to 201. I can load and shoot the thing, but would like to get into more nitty gritty. Wad or no wad, importance of spin jags, lube or no lube, cleaning regimen, peep sights setups…. to name a few things I’ve been down the rabbit hole on. Drinking from a fire hose.
The link you posted looks immensely helpful. I’ll read through that today

 

[ElDiablito]

I’ve just been scanning Rokslide and modernmuzzleloaders. I don’t have an account over there, maybe I should.
I wasn’t aware anyone was shooting partitions out of MZs. I presume that would be a .45 in a sabot? Worth reading up on for sure
Good to know about Fury’s.
I have a sizing pack from NE that just showed up. Seems to be a safe route.
I wouldn’t say limited to 100grV, I guess that’s just where I’d planned to start and work up or down until I’m happy with the groups

You should. Yep, .45 in a sabot. Lots of guys shooting Partitions - fantastic bullets (but tough to find).

 

[ElDiablito]

Which rifle and caliber? Planning to hunt an open sights only state?

 

[<cascadehunter>]

.50cal Knight Mountaineer. Want to keep it Idaho/Colorado legal

 

[ElDiablito]

My advice - if you’re only gonna own one rig, is to put an Ace in the Hole or PeepRib rail on it, use a scope for load dev and then take it off (if you have to to hunt open sight states). You’re really putting yourself at a disadvantage to try load development with open sights.

 

[<cascadehunter>]

That’s the plan. I have a rail and a spare scope for load dev, then I planned to put a Williams FP on it