New guy from West Central Indiana

[tbob]

Just surfacing in to the sml world. I was the winner of a raffle at a Big Buck year-end party and am now the owner of a 28" SMI, 50 cal muzzleloader. I have been pounding the web for information regarding loads and set-up with not much luck until running across this site. I have the recommended loads from SMI's website, but nothing else. Problem is, IMR 4198 and XMR 2015 seem to be impossible to get with the World Wide Ammo crisis we are experiencing. I just got my hands on VV110 and IMR 4759. Purchased 100 250gr, .452" Hornady FTX bullets and 100 Black Harvester Sabot's. Bullets and sabots came recommended from SMI.

I look forward to diving in and will, of course, take any input I can get on the subject. fyi, I have very little handloading experience so I am learning some of the details of smokeless, as well.

Thanks!
Tim

[Dave W]

The loads in this section are ML II data primarily but should work for a 50 cal SMI also.

dougsmessageboards.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=loads&action=display&thread=586

[10ga]

Welcome tbob! You have come to the right place. Start slow and keep us appraised of how it goes. If ya need any help let us know. Just for starters do you have any ML experience at all? And for SML remember that heat is the enemy of sabots. Mark your rod so you know if you are loaded, empty, or "other" at a quick check. The powders you have should be just fine. VV110 and 4759 are really the best place to start. I shoot mostly 4759 and 4198 in my SMLs. Lurk about the site and check out the tips and hints section, do some searches and you'll find a bunch of info. Don't info overload and just start slow. Not if, but when, you have a problem come back here. Lotsa help and many of us been there and can show the trail. Again welcome. Best, 10 ga

[tar12]

Tim were excactly are you located? I believe that you are probally pretty close to me.