Entering the world of smokepoles

I guess friends want to keep me challenged and trying to reduce my effective range…. or, see how far I can lob a huge chunk of platinum.

I was gifted a Traditions NW edition Pursuit G4 Ultralight Mag .50 – 26″ barrel with 28:1 twist. I’ve already ordered the conversion kit for the plug to change it from musket caps to 209’s. Since Colorado allows 209s, I thought that would be a significant improvement.

Does anyone know the torque requirement for the plate screw on the action for the firing pin? Also, is there a torque for the forgrip? couldn’t find anything on it and Traditions hasn’t responded yet.

Preferred use is 150 to 200 yrd elk gun. Plans for a muzzleloader season in CO

Starting point is the Powerbelt AEROTIP .50 270 gr. PLATINUM, Blackhorn 209 powder, and 209 primers

So, brings up a few questions.
Clean every shot Vs 2 shot?
Experience with these bullets and elk?
What is an acceptable pattern to have when evaluating 200-250yrds?

Oh NO. Don’t say Powerbelt Given you love of the shooting sports I’m sure you will figure out the best Bullet Powder combo to get the most accuracy out of the new smokepole. I doubt we will be seeing any of those great 600-800 yard groups you are know for, But Id think some great 150-200 yard groups is more than possible from you. Good luck. Keep us posted on what setup you settle on and show off some of those great tight groups.

fishthumper wrote:

Oh NO. Don’t say Powerbelt doah

better bullet? Sabots are illegal to use in CO. I wanted a Barnes combination, but doesn’t fit their laws

In no sabot states. The powerbelt may be the best option. I hunted with the platinum series for many years here in Minnesota and also had great success with them. I know others on here had far less success with them. I tried the new Aerolite series this last year. Although they loaded and shot great. It was only by some good luck that I managed to recover the doe I shot with them. Most of the issue had to do with my own error and a poor shot placement. But I think the bullet should have preformed better than it did. It destroyed the lower shoulder but never even entered the body cavity. I was lucky that she bleed out and was recovered. if I decide to stay with the powerbelt I’m most likely going back to the platinum’s. I’m going to play around with some different powder and saboted bullets as well prior to next season.

Randy Wieland wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
Oh NO. Don’t say Powerbelt doah

better bullet? Sabots are illegal to use in CO. I wanted a Barnes combination, but doesn’t fit their laws

I didn’t know that CO was a no Sabot state. It seems silly that they allow 209 primers but then limit the bullet choices. To me it should be a all or nothing situation. Keep totally traditional or allow the use of all modern technology. Going 1/2 way seems a bit strange in my opinion.

With the 209 powder you can get maybe 20-30 shots in a sitting without cleaning and then only need a patch down the pipe to remove the oily fouling from 209 powder. Clean the gun fully when you’re done shooting for the day. In the field a guy can leave the barrel alone until after the hunt even if was fired a week earlier when using the 209 powder if he has to .

There are way better bullet options than Powerbelts, just not a ton of them in full bore jacketed bullets. I think your 1:28 would throw big lead conicals fine in that range window if you keep the bullets in the 300 to 400 grain weights areas and use a felt over powder wad to help protect the bullet base from the heat during firing. You’ll have to shoot a mess of them to determine whether your charge needs to be increased or lowered but under 200 yards big conicals can be extremely accurate and deadly on elk. Best check and see what the manufacturer calls the heaviest bullet for use in that weapon. If you can’t find anything in writing send the company an email requesting specifics on bullet weight. More people drop Colorado elk with the conicals than any other bullet type. I’ll drop you a pm in a bit with some info.

If you want to slug the gun for actual bore diameter you can order the necessary stuff from Fury bullets and once you know the proper size you can order them directly. These Fury bullets are full bore and jacketed and can be drive much harder than a lead conical. If I was after elk personally I’d take the time to slug a gun and use the appropriate Fury bullet…they are really a fine hunting bullet. If you can round up a .54 cal round ball you can tap in down the barrel until flush with the muzzle, then drive it further with a short starter. Once in the barrel a couple inches you can use a longer towel to either finish pushing it thru the barrel or back out the muzzle. The soft lead will harm nothing doing this. When you have the pellet back out of the barrel you can use a micrometer and measure your actual bore size without having to order the sizing kit. Use the land to land and groove to groove data from your pellet to give info to Fury’s ordering and your on your way.

Of all domestic primers, the Winchester 209 shotgun primer in the blue box is the longest and maybe the hottest and they work well in sealing in the breech plug, thus helping to eliminate blow by which can make a mess in the breech area.

Going 1/2 way seems a bit strange in my opinion. Not when half the laws originate from people the fled California…then want to have all the same laws that are destroying their old state. California = Insane

Randy,
Check out the Federal Premium Trophy Copper Muzzleloading Bullet. Part #PMZ50TC1
I promise this is a vast improvement over the Powerbelt in a non-sabot design, one piece design.

As far as cleaning / sighting in: I run a wet patch and then dry patch every shot during sight in. I shoot Blackhorn now. In a hunting situation we are never going to clean after every shot but when sighting in I want things consistent. I have shot 5 shots in a row without cleaning before I started to see my group deteriorate. you will notice the issue more on difficulty reloading.