45 Cal for Colorado

[ICMDEER]

Just curious if anyone has good ideas for muzz projectiles for Colorado. I should draw this year and would like to use my 45 for deer. I used powerbelts last time and it was a disaster. Took 3 shots to finish the buck. Will the powerbelt platinums be better? Will Hornady have a 45? Are there other good options?

Thanks for any help.

[JLROOT]

I can'nt help you on the type of bullet to use. You should keep a couple of things in mind for muzzle loading season in Colorado.

1. Sabots are not allowed.
2. Powder pellets are not allowed.
3. Scopes are not allowed.

I know of a couple of guys that shoot a round lead ball from their in line muzzy. According to them it works realy well, requires less powder, and the bullets are a lot cheaper. When I used to hunt with an inline I used a buffalo bullet. As the saying goes "one shot, one kill".

[FrontierGander]

what powerbelt did you use? I am from southern colorado. Powerbelts have a powder limit, push them to fast they can over expand and fragment.

http://www.thepowerbeltforum.powerguild.net

I can help you out.

[ICMDEER]

It's been 5 years since that happened. I'd have to go look. I do know that I followed the info provided by powerbelt. But the bullet fragemented terribly. First one hit the shoulder and never penetrated. The second shot (I did well to find him) was as he was moving away and it hit him far back. Third shot finally finished the job.

Anyway, I did follow directions. But I have heard quite a few stories about powerbelts coming apart. Do you think the platinums are better?

[FrontierGander]

yeah the 300gr plats are awesome. use 80 - 100gr pellets and it will do great.

[ICMDEER]

Can't use pellets in Colorado, but I'll try the load. I already bought the platinums, so I'm looking forward to a decent day when I can go shoot. Looking at tomorrow's weather here in Wyoming, it's not going to be this weekend.

Thanks.

[FrontierGander]

start off with 70gr and work your way up until accuracy falls off. I dont think you will need to go over 100gr.

Heres some 300gr plats shots into damp sand @ 100 yards. My nephew is shooting t he 225s, 275s and 300 plats in his .45cal.

[txhunter58]

You might try great plains, no excuses, or maxiballs. all should do well for deer.

[ICMDEER]

Thanks, guys. I've been trying to avoid the Great Plains, maxi balls, because they are so heavy and drop off so quickly. I'd like to be able to shoot as far as possible (at least 150 yards) because I'll be in open country. That's why i'm trying to use the 45 instead of my 50 caliber muzz rifles on this hunt. Looks like I am aware of the choices and will likley just shoot the platinums. Hope to smack a BIG buck about the 12th of September.

Thanks again.

[FrontierGander]

285gr hornady great plains i never could get to shoot for crap in any .45s ive owned. The 240gr maxiball with a wad did really well but i lost 2 deer to them

ICMDEER - When you find the Powerbelt thats accurate, let me know what you're shooting and i can tell you if its a safe load or not. I shoot a lot of Powerbelts to test and report on my forum for those shooting them.

Also the drop, Its not as bad as you think. I always sight in dead on @ 100 and am ususally only 3 to 4" low @ 150 yards depending on what grain of powerbelt i am using.