Which monolithic to use?

[thelefthand]

I'm curious what everyone has been using for a solid copper hunting projectile.

I've been away from the forum for several years, but I'm still using my Savage ML to fill the freezer during our late ML season. For the past 15 years, I've been using a 300gr SST in an HPH12 sabot over a stout charge of RL7. I've always wanted to try a monolithic bullet in my rife, but never put forth the effort to develop a load for it since the 300gr SST was doing such a good job. I run monolithic hollow points in my 25-06, 6.5 Grendel, and 300 BO (as well as my 45 Shield) for the past few years and have been super impressed with their terminal performance. I'm almost out of all of my ML components, so now seems like a good time to work up a new load (for next year). Figured I'd come over here and find out what seems to be working for everyone else rather than re-invent the wheel.

Thanks,
Mark

[cuda]

In my 45 I use .451 TEZ over a lubed wad. But in my 10ML-ll 50cal I use the Hornady #4500 300gr .458HP in a BCR sabot I use IMR4198 in both guns.

[thelefthand]

I'm not a big fan of the 250gr stuff for muzzle loaders. I've had instances where they veer off course after impact. I think the 250gr TEZ would be better, but I'm not willing to risk it at the higher velocities. I'm thinking maybe Maker's 275gr 450 Bushmaster projectile, but I can't find much information on it. The other thought would be a 290gr TEZ. Not sure what other options are out there that are heavier than 250 gr.

[reloader22]

From vast field experience, it is hard to beat the 250 TEZ which is super on deer.  I've also shot a few deer with the .458 250 Monoflex.  That bullet is exactly as long as the 325 FTX due to copper being lighter than lead.  I push them hard with 75 gr of H or IMR 4198.  2600-2700 fps.  I am convinced you could hunt much bigger game with either.  Don't forget that a deer is a puny little animal in front of these guns. 

The TEZ is best shot with the supplied sabot if using the boat tail version
The mono flex is best with the Harv Crushed rib sabot
No wads - Fed209A primers

Pick what shoots most accurately and try it out.  My load info is for a stock savage .50 cal BTW.

IMO, with a copper, there is no need to go heavier.  You will never stop these bullets at any angle and they shoot very flat at high speed out to 200 yds. 

The other alternative is to stick with what you have been using since it also works well.
 

[thelefthand]

I did a lot of penetration testing back in '08 using pretty much every 250gr to 300gr 45 cal bullet I could get my hands on at the time. From memory, the (then) 245gr Barnes muzzle loading bullets were the exception in that they were the only 250 class bullet that consistently generated a straight wound channel and they penetrated as deep as the 300gr cup and core bullets. I've since lost that information and was hoping to find it again on here to confirm what I remember, but it's likely been removed since my photobucket account has been inactive for well over a decade.

[ported45]

Hornady's 250 MonoFlex MZ is a good bullet. Barrel fit may necessitate changing from the supplied sabots for better fit in your barrel.

[thelefthand]

Well, it just so happens that Midsouth had their 300gr SST on sale for $13.99/20 so I bought 2 packages. They didn't have any HPH12 in stock, so I ordered those directly from MMP. Nobody had any all copper stuff in stock, but I was able to order some 250gr TEZ directly from Barnes. The SSTs will get me through this season if I come up short, or even last me a few more season if I end up being too busy with other projects this winter. From memory, the older 245gr Barnes had some impressive expansion so they will likely fit the bill in the long run. I'd still like to try a 275gr from Maker though