i guess i would be referred to as a newbie when it comes to muzzleloading, even though i dabbled with it 35 years ago.
this is my opinion about this topic
12L14 is probably just fine for a barrel with sane loading practices, and maybe not fine when loaded with these so called magnum loads?
i see lots of folks using what is not recommended for powder, using FFFg in 50 plus calibers and then also using 150gr to boot. i am left to wonder what might happen with the inclusion of a very heavy projectile or a tight fitting prb?
having been out to the range now every day for the last week and firing something over 120 rounds with my 50cal, for the life of me i cannot see any reason to use these magnum loads?
a 45/70 killed everything on this continent didn't it?
i am finding that same loading, but using 777 as a propellant to be exceptionally accurate, repeatable and with adequate power at 120 yds. i am using a round nose copper jacketed 350gr .452 projectile and a sabot, and not only can i shoot good groups but also nail a 2inch bullseye with alarming frequency. the only thing left was to determine is effective power, relatively speaking.
there is sufficient power to go clean through 3.5inches of green and wet fresh cut black walnut and bury the bullet in the railroad tie back stop, which ought to go clean through a white tail deer?
so i don't understand the need for a so called magnum load, or the need to use FFFg or equivalent when FFg in modest amounts and a decent size projectile is more than adequate?
its also got to be easy on the barrel? again relative to what i would call insane loading practices?
i find it hard to believe one could ever blow up a barrel made from just about any steel, beit 12L14 or whatever using reasonable powder charges and making sure his projectiles are seated properly.
my thinking is any failures are likely due to the use of the wrong grade of powder, magnum loads of it, and not having the bullet seated properly... in which case i would agree with others that post the fact that any steel is likely to fail under those conditions.
after buying the cva wolf, and yes i understand its an inline and no one wants to talk about inlines here... but bear with me a bit... the gun is advertized as a magnum, able to handle 150gr powder charges, so yes i tried it! and no i won't again! the sonofabeech kicked the living manure out of me and the accuracy was a joke. even though i have read that cva guns are dangerous and made from "india tempered lead" (only a slight exaggeration) the barrel didn't explode or bulge or show any signs of distress.
call it my proof test of this barrel, and no i won't be doing it again...
having done this i would have no problem continuing to use this gun with the same 70gr of ffg equivalent 777 and a 300-350gr projectile... and my bet is the barrel will be good for a very long time so long as i keep sane loading practices with it.
so guys tell me again, why do we need 120-150gr of FFFg or equivalent in a 50cal rifle? and...
would you guys still have the same fear of 12L14 barrels using 70gr of 777?
just curious and wanting to learn here.
btw, i bought another 50cal rifle and currently am not using the cva wolf, and won't use it if there is sufficient evidence that it is not up to the task at hand, loaded sanely and provide a safe shooting experience.
thanks
bob g