Bullet Choice for SML

[ET]

Many of us look for what we deem is the optimum choice of bullet for our SML and the velocity we employ. To me this is a good consideration of the shooter/hunter to take in variables for bullet performance to make what I deem is a humane kill. I get great satisfaction from a one shot one kill result.
Now everybody is looking at top end performance where as I also look at lower end bullet performance. By that I mean matching velocity to bullet. For 8-seasons I managed 8-deer with one shot each using the 250 SST/FTX at 2300fps. Shots were usually under 100yds in mostly wooded areas. I do have some 250 bonded shockwaves but haven’t had a chance to try them. This will always be my back-up load when hunting wooded areas.

But I too want a better load for hunting field area along woods when I move to different locations. Once had a beautiful buck slightly over 200yds walking a hedgerow. Didn’t feel comfortable at taking a shot and had to watch him walk away. Also, with longer ranges your accuracy area also expands. Using a boiler room shot I now have to consider the possibility of catching shoulder bone. So, to feel more comfortable I need to use a mono bullet with a higher velocity.

Another aspect I enjoy is trying different weight bullets and finding a good load for them. If I focused on one bullet and load, I probably wouldn’t shoot as often. My SML was intended for hunting but I also get a lot of fun and satisfaction in exploring what my SML can offer with other bullets and hopefully with other powders. Also range time provides the practice I need.
Now if they would only open up the range in my area again, I can then continue to learn more and enjoy being outdoors.

[BuckDoeHunter]

I hope your range opens up soon.

I too enjoy trying different bullets and powders. I always use an all copper bullet when hunting, I don't like lead fragments.

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play with this machined all copper one in a few weeks, I shot some samples already, looks promising, the new ones coming will be slightly larger in diameter.

[tbye3300]

Jun 18, 2020 6:39:19 GMT -5 ET said:

Many of us look for what we deem is the optimum choice of bullet for our SML and the velocity we employ. To me this is a good consideration of the shooter/hunter to take in variables for bullet performance to make what I deem is a humane kill. I get great satisfaction from a one shot one kill result.
Now everybody is looking at top end performance where as I also look at lower end bullet performance. By that I mean matching velocity to bullet. For 8-seasons I managed 8-deer with one shot each using the 250 SST/FTX at 2300fps. Shots were usually under 100yds in mostly wooded areas. I do have some 250 bonded shockwaves but haven’t had a chance to try them. This will always be my back-up load when hunting wooded areas.

But I too want a better load for hunting field area along woods when I move to different locations. Once had a beautiful buck slightly over 200yds walking a hedgerow. Didn’t feel comfortable at taking a shot and had to watch him walk away. Also, with longer ranges your accuracy area also expands. Using a boiler room shot I now have to consider the possibility of catching shoulder bone. So, to feel more comfortable I need to use a mono bullet with a higher velocity.

Another aspect I enjoy is trying different weight bullets and finding a good load for them. If I focused on one bullet and load, I probably wouldn’t shoot as often. My SML was intended for hunting but I also get a lot of fun and satisfaction in exploring what my SML can offer with other bullets and hopefully with other powders. Also range time provides the practice I need.
Now if they would only open up the range in my area again, I can then continue to learn more and enjoy being outdoors.

I've been shooting a lot of saboted Loads in by 45 Rem/Kreg lately.  I often go back to them for hunting.  I have good accuracy and even though I live in the wide open plains my shots are still usually 200 yards or less.  Thing I like about Sabot loads is they mostly have light recoil and great for the kids.  Hard to beat a N110 load of 37 grains and a Hornady 200g SST.  Nice having great accuracy and barely any temp sensitivity.  Although I do like to shoot high B.C. Bullets Sabotless, I think saboted bullets have a place and always will in this Smokeless Muzzeloading world.

[dannoboone]

Jun 18, 2020 6:39:19 GMT -5 ET said:

Also, with longer ranges your accuracy area also expands. Using a boiler room shot I now have to consider the possibility of catching shoulder bone. So, to feel more comfortable I need to use a mono bullet with a higher velocity.

Another aspect I enjoy is trying different weight bullets and finding a good load for them. If I focused on one bullet and load, I probably wouldn’t shoot as often. My SML was intended for hunting but I also get a lot of fun and satisfaction in exploring what my SML can offer with other bullets and hopefully with other powders. Also range time provides the practice I need.

"If I focused on one bullet and load, I probably wouldn't shoot as often."
^This has been my experience.^ In the beginning of my SML experience, I
shot every bullet under 300gr that I could get my hands on. First deer taken
with the .50 10MLII was with a 200SST in a .50 sabot at 90yds through the
scapula, ticking the low side of the spine (only kill shot given in thick
brush). The 8-pointer dropped as though he was shot in the head. Only a
small fragment of the bullet exited. However, that bullet with .50 sabot
was VERY difficult to shoot accurately.

I used the 250gr SST only for target practice. Too many people were
saying they were losing deer with them, even though others were having
good luck at lower velocities. I wanted a deer round that would drop
them at any velocity. At one point, I stumbled across Barne's SpitFire
and was totally happy with terminal performance but unhappy with longer
range accuracy in the .50 and that was about the time the .45 conversion
"addiction" was going on. That's when the .50 barrel came off and the
.45 barrel was spun on.

At that point, many bullets were again tried, from a .40 150gr BX which
never got to market, to an experimental 300gr copper which also never
made it to market, with several in between. I took three deer with the
BX's and terminal performance was spectacular, but there was a very
limited supply.

Too many other bullets have been tried, some with great accuracy but
probably poor terminal performance (thin skinned) to give an account
here. About three years ago, I stumbled on a copper bullet which has
already been taken off the market with the supplier admitting he did
not really get the word out about them. I bought all I could get my
hands on and that's the bullet I will use from now on....very happy
with it. But then again, there is a limited supply, so they will be
used for accuracy testing just prior to season and hopefully, will
last for the rest of my hunting life.

But just punching paper no longer interests me. Shooting bullets
which will not be used for the end result seems like a waste of
time. Perhaps age, perhaps the times has taken away the interest.

[reloader22]

Been a big fan of Barnes for a long time in ML and rifles.  If I can get them to shoot accurately, I can't see a reason that another bullet would be better.  If shooting slow, many bullets are very good.  Flat nosed hardcasts, jacketed etc.  If looking for one load to use on the way to your stand when shots are short and a load that will reach out, you need a fast one.  Coppers have never let me down.  The issue is they are harder to get to shoot well.  Especially in a sabot in a 50 cal.  One thing I have never done is try .458 coppers.  My SML career winded down in 2011 when we went to rifles.  Got enough good loads fast and slow for our one weekend of doe season that I have no need to experiment anymore.


In normal season it is hard to beat a 120 Barnes TTSX at 3400 fps in a sub MOA 7mm Mag.  Just sayin.  Best of all worlds and maybe most galaxies.  

[ET]

Jun 18, 2020 7:24:52 GMT -5 BuckDoeHunter said:

I hope your range opens up soon.

I too enjoy trying different bullets and powders. I always use an all copper bullet when hunting, I don't like lead fragments.

Hopefully, I'll get a chance to play with this machined all copper one in a few weeks, I shot some samples already, looks promising, the new ones coming will be slightly larger in diameter.

Look forward to hearing your observations and results.

[jims]

Keep us posted.

[ET]

I can appreciate why many now do less shooting with their SML. It no longer serves a useful purpose for them and I can relate to that. For some it’s fun to explore trying different loads and for me the allure is still a learning process of different possibilities. What I also enjoy is that each load for my SML is tailored by me that influences the outcome of accuracy. There is personal satisfaction when a good repeatable load is developed. Sure I won’t use all my developed loads in the field but by building a selection of loads I will have a choice when I go to the range instead of just shooting the one load that could become boring. Of all the firearms I’ve owned my SML has given me the most pleasure to shoot.

[smokepolehall]

I have sold all of my CF rifles, i have one T/C inline ML, one SML .45. I enjoy shooting more at this time in my life.