Hunting with black powder rifles?

[harlow]

Hi guys,

Anyone here a black powder rifle hunter?

I've been doing some varmints with my .223, but am interested in trying a black powder rifle and everything that comes with it.

Wondering if it's realistic to double this as a hunting rifle too?

This would be stepping into black powder and game hunting at the same time, so not sure if I'd be biting off more than I can chew here

Any advice either way appreciated.
Cheers.

[wrenchman]

There are lots of choices in lines and side locks flint and cap and ball what are you thinking of they are fun and different in the amount practice it takes to become skilled with them.

[VICHunter]

It's not really my thing but it's definitely done.

It's a whole different game to modern powder/centre fire though. A lot more work running those kinds of rifles. Accuracy won't be like your .223 either.

Don't mean to sound like I'm knocking it. Just be aware it's not the same as just popping a cartridge in and off you go.

[VICHunter]

Hmm, VIC DSE had a page on it but I can't find it on Google at the moment for some reason...

Dunno why I can't find it now. Anyone got a link?

Or something for you to try find yourself anyway.

[Aster]

I think Noisydad does black powder hunting?

PM him if he doesn't find his way in here maybe.

[scrolllock]

At the bottom here VICHunter.

Control of deer on private property

Muzzle-loading rifle.

Fallow/Chital
A minimum calibre of .38" (9.65 mm) with a minimum projectile weight of 200 grains (12.96 grams).

Sambar/Rusa/Red/Wapiti/Sika
a minimum calibre of .45" (11.45 mm) with a minimum projectile weight of 230 grains (14.91 grams).

Load up the heavy balls and out you go

[VICHunter]

That's it, cheers.

New page and info. Guess they deleted the old page.

[harlow]

Thanks guys.

230gr bullet minimum huh, heavy hitting stuff.

That's gunna be some exercise for the shoulder after the .223

[Lorgar]

I'm certainly no black powder expert but was real surprised when firing Noisy's .54cal black powder rifle.

I think it was a 400gr projectile? Whatever it was, looking at it I was expected a serious kick in the shoulder...

Honestly though it was soft as... Just a slow/medium push. Softer than my .243 which I had at the time.

[batter]

Much slower burn huh?

[Lorgar]

In this instance yeah.

Like I said not a black powder expert. Don't know if it's the same for all setups.

[Noisydad]

The load Lorgar had a play with was my target load - just 55gn FFF powder (nice and economical) with a 225gn .530 RB.

You cant change your round ball weight very much as accuracy is critically dependant on ball diameter and patch thickness.

Recoil is very light with this load. A hunting load could have 110gns of powder in a .54 cal rifle and then you'll feel it!

Depending on the twist of your barrel, the use of conical or Minie balls possible.

Barrels with a twist of 1:60 (my CVA) are really only suitable for round balls but there is nothing you can't nail with a RB!

Feel free to pm me.

[Lorgar]

I still reckon you had the ball weight wrong.

That's why I missed at 25m...

[Noisydad]

The problem wasn't the round balls - it was your eyeballs!

[Lorgar]

Ha ha.

I'll admit it. Shooter error