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Hi everyone;
I just got my CVA ML last year and I have fired it a few times now.
My question is, how many pellets do you use while hunting big game? Two or three and why?
I am also using White Hots, is this the cleanest burning pellet on the market? What is your experience with other pellets?
Thanks in advance.
Two pellets of White Hots work just fine. Killed plenty of deer. 3 pellets is overkill with lots of unburned powder. I can shoot 10 -15 rounds without cleaning in a Thompson Encore.
Blackhorn 209 ;)
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By the book..from the Hodgdon load data;
(https://www.hodgdon.com/ml-warning.html)
MAXIMUM LOAD WARNING
45 and 50 CALIBER RIFLE:
45 Caliber Pellets come in one size: 50 grain
50 Caliber Pellets come in two (2) sizes:
50 grain volume equivalent which equals 50 grains of loose powder by volume.
30 grain volume equivalent which equals 30 grains of loose powder by volume.
The maximum load per shot should never exceed total Pellets containing more than 100 grains volume equivalent. That means, no more than:
45 Caliber 1) Two (2) 50 grain Pellets
2) Three (3) 44/45 caliber 30 grain
50 Caliber 1) Three (3) 30 grain Pellets, or
2) Two (2) 50 grain Pellets, or
3) One (1) 50 grain Pellet and one (1) 30 grain Pellet
54 CALIBER RIFLE:
54 Caliber Pyrodex Pellets come in one size only:
60 grain volume equivalent which equals 60 grains of loose powder by volume.
The maximum load per shot should never exceed 120 grains (2) Pellets.
From a practical perspective, less is usually better...most guys find 80-90 grains of loose powder works great, so if your using pellets you won't need more than 2.
blackhorn is cleanest. Two. Three is overfill.
2 years ago a guy in our gang shot a doe (2 pellets - White Hots) at about 50 yards. The bullet (Hornady sabot) killed the doe and the fawn beside it, which he did not see. The bullet went clear through both. Luckily we had lots of tags....so not an issue. 2 Pellets are plenty!
I remember reading that Jim Shokey who mskes a living with thus stuff only uses 2. Before I went to smokeless I shot 2.
My hunting buddy used to shoot with 3 pellets in his Thompson Encore in 50 cal. , groups were close to 3 inches [not good] I convinced him to try 2 pellets and his groups shrunk to about 1 1/2 inches with much less recoil , and the deer still wind up very dead.
Quote:
Originally Posted by rippin_355
Another vote for BH209 if you can stomach the cost.Quote:
Originally Posted by pbonura
Two pellets get the job done. Three us a waste and unless I was going after bull moose or grizzly and I could get a goid group I would stay with two.Dutch
Yup - Blackhorn 209 is the good stuff. Pricey and only available as loose powder, but burns very clean. Also helps aid accuracy by allowing you to fine tune your load instead of having to jump large increments as with powder pellets.
I haven't found a pellet yet that burned very clean. White Hots are fine, but I still found a nasty "crud ring" starting just ahead of the load after only a few shots but I'd still say they are a good choice. And I agree with all others, that 2 pellets is plenty.
Guys on here have often said they'd sacrifice a bit of accuracy for the convenience of the pellets...and if it makes it easier for them to use the ML and get out hunting, understandable.
I choose none of the above. I pick loose BH209Quote:
Originally Posted by Birds_Eye