Hello from DFW

Hey everyone, longtime member on Snipershide, retired LEO, long range shooter, competitive back in the day although not so much these days. I've been thinking about getting my old muzzleloader out of the safe for some range time and maybe even deer hunting. It's a 54cal I bought from Cabelas about 30 years ago. Used to shoot Hornady conical hollow points but looks like things have changed. Don't see them anywhere. Very few options for 54 now? Any recommendations on 54 bullets and load data? Still have some Pyrodex from back then that smells ok so I thought I would use that although looks like pellets are the thing now? Have some CCI percussion caps that hopefully still work. Was gonna post a pic of the rifle but it's buried in the back of the safe. Maybe later...

Welcome from Maine
Patched round ball and don't look back!
Nit Wit

Might have to do that. Found some TC 250gr sabots. Where do I find charge data for those?

I got into BP in the 70s with a gorgeous 45 Kentucky, 36 inch octagon barrel, engraved brushed nickel furniture. Good shooter. Then after a ton of research bought a 58cal Hawkens and always loaded it with max charges just cuz. All that before BP substitutes so cleanups were a pain.

The Cabelas rifle from the 90s looked the same as the old ones but is chrome lined and with Pyrodex cleanup is nothin. I put it up years ago without cleaning and figured it was ready for scap but no corrosion at all. Looking forward to shooting it again.

Welcome from East TN

Welcome from PA!

Welcome from Oklahoma.
Some .530 round balls and a few different thickness cotton patches are all you need.
My own 54 will put balls in practically the same hole at 50 yards.
70 grains of 3f Swiss by volume is my standard powder charge.

I Wish I could find these. Printed material says 105gr of FF, pyrodex not recommended. MV of 1400fps, 1849lbs of energy. Man what a boomer!

Welcome from the S Oregon Coast

Welcome, from North Carolina! I would not use Pyrodex (or other) “pellets” in a traditional sidelock. Loose stuff, only.

80 grns. 3-f ,530 dia. round ball, 15 thousands patch, bees wax, crisco,olive oil lube = dead deer.

Welcome to the forum.
Thomas

Welcome from New England.

Welcome.

Welcome from South Carolina.

Welcome from Pa..

I take it that the caliber size under my name indicates NG status?

Red Raider Rookie said:

I take it that the caliber size under my name indicates NG status?

Click to expand...

Nope that changes as you make posts on the forum. If you look at comment #13 above he is the same "caliber" as you but joined in 2013.

The " joined: " listing that is posted right under the "caliber" listing shows the date you arrived tells if you are new or not.

LD

Howdy and Welcome from Texas!

Welcome from California.

Welcome from The Big D in Tejas!