Recoil on big bore black powder rifles

[inventurkey]

Hi guys,

I know we have a few black powder shooters here in the know.

How is the recoil on big bore black power stuff? .50cal and up?

I know black powder burns slower than modern stuff and there is less recoil but haven't shot them to really 'know' what it's like.

Doing some learning before take the plunge

[Hardcast]

Yes the recoil is more of a hard push than a real thump.
Having said that, a .50, .54, .58 with a good load, say a .54 with 80 grains can hurt if you're not carefull.

The best thing about muzzle loaders is you can regulate the amount of powder you want to run shot by shot.

The old 'rule of thumb' for starting loads in B/P Muzzle loaders is same number of grains to the caliber, : .50 cal - 50 grains. .54 - 54 grains. But plenty
shoot lighter than that, and plenty shoot hotter than that. It's up to you to find a load you're happy with, and tune your sight to suit.

Both of my .50 cals use around 45 grains FFF. My old .40 also liked 45 grains, but the .54 liked 60.

Some of the serious Target shooters and Hunters in the States like to run them pretty hot. I read an article once, written by a guy running
80 grains in his .40 with a fast twist, shooting 100 and 200 yds competitively.

Good to see you're reading up first, it's a whole new world, interesting and fun. have a go.

[Lorgar]

I'm no black powder expert but there are definitely very gentle loads with big calibres.

Ask Noisydad for more details... I shot his .54 cal black powder rifle at the VIC range meet with I think 400gr pills?

By comparison, it was much gentler than shooting the .308 with 150gr pills that I also had.

[Noisydad]

A .530 RB to use in a .54 cal rifle weighs 225 gns out of a Lee mould. I use 55 gns powder for paper target comp shooting and for fun with the gongs at Lady Noisy's bush farm.

One of the neat things about a muzzle loader is that without the constriction of a cartridge case you load 'em up or load 'em down as you please! Most of us though, have just a couple of favourite loads and stick to them so we know where they shoot. My 54 shoots 50mm high at 50 yards so I can use the traditional "6 o'clock hold".

Lorgar the 420 gn bullets you're thinking of (and had a play with) are used in my Sharps. Launching such a big bullet does generate quite satisfactory recoil and with most of these big bore rifles you don't want to be shooting from a prone position - even using a bench at the wrong height will start to hurt after a short while!

I had to mess around with height of my milking stool (that I use when we shoot off cross sticks) so my collar bone wasn't getting hammered....kind of "good" hammered though !

[Lorgar]

A .530 RB to use in a .54 cal rifle weighs 225 gns out of a Lee mould. I use 55 gns powder for paper target comp shooting and for fun with the gongs at Lady Noisy's bush farm.

I use 55 grains of powder to knock over your target and ruin it for everyone else until the cease fire

[Gregg]

The best thing about muzzle loaders is you can regulate the amount of powder you want to run shot by shot.

The old 'rule of thumb' for starting loads in B/P Muzzle loaders is same number of grains to the caliber, : .50 cal - 50 grains. .54 - 54 grains. But plenty
shoot lighter than that, and plenty shoot hotter than that. It's up to you to find a load you're happy with, and tune your sight to suit.

Same old speech on recoil too... The more you shoot the more you get used to etc.

Work your way up and you won't have problems Turkey.

[Old Fart]

Same old speech on recoil too... The more you shoot the more you get used to etc.

That's even more relevant with BP where you truly can work your way up from a 'low' recoil charge.

I bet we've all seen a bloke or two who bought his rifle rifle in 300wm thinking he'd get used to it, then getting a shock when he fires his 'light' factory ammo for the first time

[Blackened]

I use 55 grains of powder to knock over your target and ruin it for everyone else until the cease fire

Team spirit, that's the way.

[inventurkey]

Good to see you're reading up first, it's a whole new world, interesting and fun. have a go.

Yeah mate I know it's completely different, but that's about all I know at this stage. Ha ha.

Much to learn still.

[inventurkey]

Thanks Lorgar and Noisy for the comparison. That's helpful.

[Noisydad]

Been in the workshop and I've made stronger, better target frames now that pack up to near nothing. Will post picks.

[Lorgar]

Saw your new frames in the other topic.

Nice

( p.s. I'd still wreck em, I'm special like that )

[Grated]

Stop wrecking Noisy's toys you bastard, Lorgar

[Noisydad]

Wonder if 2m square target frames would help our "special" members? On second thoughts that's why I started making all steel targets!

[bunnybuster]

Get yersel up to Pinjar range and talk to the Perth Muzzle loading guys,they also hold BP cartridge shoots and will more than

likely give you a shot or three.BP can be loaded soft or sharp[s] as you like it.

Be Safe BB.

[inventurkey]

Thanks for the referral BB.