Muzzle loader issues

switchbackxt1

Senior Member
Why is there no decent blood trail with a muzzle loader? I have shot deer right in the bread basket, little to no blood trail. Could it be the bullet?
 

BarnesAddict

Senior Member
In general, yes, it can definitely be the type bullet used.
You didn't mention it, but my suspicion is that it was a powerbelt?

Use a Barnes Expander or T-EZ bullet in either 250 or 290grs. They function properly down to 1,100fps.
 

antharper

“Well Rounded Outdoorsman MOD “
Staff member
I've had the same problem but someone on here told me to try these and I've been extremely pleased !
 

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NCHillbilly

Administrator
Staff member
I usually get blood trails that Stevie Wonder could follow with a muzzleloader, from the ones that don't drop right there. Throw out those plastic projectiles with little pistol bullets in them, and shoot solid lead big-boy bullets. I like 350-grain lead conicals in a .50.
 

godogs57

Senior Member
No Excuses conicals....the best ML bullet you can buy. My deer react like they've been hit by a cinder block when shooting them.
 

Roadking65

Senior Member
I use .50 cal Patched Round Balls and also get a Stevie Wonder Blood trail that looks like someone poured red paint out of a can in a line.
 

tv_racin_fan

Senior Member
It is not only the bullet but the velocity you drive it at.
 

Luckybuck

Senior Member
Guess everyone has different experiences but I have always shot power belt and don't need blood trail because the deer falls right there down and done.
 

Bluemoose

Member
Bullet

I have shot quite a few deer with my 50 cal Accura. I use the Winchester 230gr Hollow points .45 cal with sabots, 60 gr of powder. I hunt in a area with only a 50 yard shot.
The bullet will make a complete pass thru but leaves a good size exit hole with blood every where. Most DRT with a couple going about 20 to 30 Feet.
 

leoparddog

Senior Member
Bullet/Shot placement is more important than what you hit them with. That said, some bullets are more forgiving for slight errors.

If you want a blood trail, you better double lung them.

My BP buck from this year fell in his tracks to a 265gr lead bullet and I hit him through both shoulder blades and the slug ended up just under the hide on the far shoulder
 

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35 Whelen

Senior Member
Shot a nice sized doe on public land the first day of muzzle loader season with a Hornady 350 grain FPB. The deer was walking fast and the bullet hit further back than ideal, hit the rear portion of one lung because of the angle, punctured the diaphragm and stomach. The deer ran a little over 100 yards, however it was no problem following the blood trail as the bullet went through and left a large exit hole. So far I have been very happy with these bullets on game performance and accuracy in my New England Firearms Huntsman with 90 grains of Triple 7.

http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-350-gr-FPB/
 
Velocity (or lack thereof compared to centerfires) and rapid expansion of bullets.

It is a tradeoff between knock down and pass through.
 

WNewman

Senior Member
FIL shot a hog with his muzzleloader this year with two pellets and one of the hollow point powerbelt bullets. We found the bullet during cleaning and it looked brand new except for the skirt missing. I was really surprised it didn't expand at all.
 

Darkhorse

Senior Member
All I've ever hunted with is a .54 cal. patched round ball. Early on it was pushed by 2fg but now I hunt with 80 to 85 grains of 3fg. It's true that load might be overkill for deer but there are a lot of big hogs where I hunt and the 85 grain load is for them. I also believe the increased velocity helps to expand the projectile.
In the 40 odd years of hunting with black powder I have made a few observations,
If the animal is hit too high then the body cavity must fill with blood to the lowest bullet hole before it starts to leave much of a blood trail.
If it's a hog then fat can cover the bullet holes and restrict or stop blood flow.
If there is no expansion then the projectile may be pushing internal organs aside rather than cutting, this can result in a skimpy blood trail. These organs can move back and cover bullet holes.
If I hit where I intend then I have a decent blood trail. But if I miss then I have no blood trail.
Due to the smoke covering the animal when shot I find it hard to tell if I made a hit or not, good or bad.
In any event I make an effort to find exactly where the deer was standing and look for hair or anything that might indicate a hit. I follow the direction the animal was traveling as sometimes it takes a while for the animal to start bleeding through the bullet holes.
I can track by the scuff marks made by hooves. Each time I find one of these spots I get down and look into the hole, moving leaves aside, looking for a spot of blood. Often the blood is seeping down a leg and it will leave blood in the hoof print.
I look for blood a yard or so high on bushes and trees where it has wiped off as they ran.
Long ago I accepted the limitations of a flintlock and patched round ball and I expect a hard to follow blood trail so I've concentrated on building my skills of tracking.
If I've made a fatal hit then most likely I'll find the animal.
 

pse hunter

Senior Member
I have had really good luck with the 300gr hornady xtp
 

Muldoon

Senior Member
When this hits.....

it looks like you've gutted a hog!

PRB by Sharps Man, on Flickr

Sent off with 100 grs. KIK 2F blackpowder.:flag:
 

Jack Ryan

Senior Member
Big bullets going fast make big, deep, holes.

T/C Maxi balls for me. I pour my own. I think they are about 240 or 250 grain 45's over about 90 grains of FFF.
 

CaptGary1

Member
The Hornady 300gr SST and the Barnes 290gr bullet both work perfectly in my two MLs. I shoot a TC Encore and a CVA Accura V2 LR. Both guns group these two bullets into an inch at 100 yards with 110 grains of Blackhorn 209 started with a Federal 209A primer. Always check your loads with different primers. Seems to make a big difference to my rifles.
 
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