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July 1st, 2016, 01:31 PM
#1
Two pellets or three?
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.
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July 1st, 2016 01:31 PM
# ADS
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July 1st, 2016, 02:20 PM
#2
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.
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July 1st, 2016, 02:22 PM
#3
Blackhorn 209 
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July 1st, 2016, 02:37 PM
#4
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.
Last edited by MikePal; July 1st, 2016 at 02:39 PM.
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July 1st, 2016, 03:37 PM
#5
blackhorn is cleanest. Two. Three is overfill.
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July 1st, 2016, 04:25 PM
#6
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!
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July 1st, 2016, 05:37 PM
#7
I remember reading that Jim Shokey who mskes a living with thus stuff only uses 2. Before I went to smokeless I shot 2.
I’m suspicious of people who don't like dogs, but I trust a dog who doesn't like a person.
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July 2nd, 2016, 09:27 AM
#8
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.
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July 6th, 2016, 11:34 AM
#9
Has too much time on their hands

Originally Posted by
rippin_355
Blackhorn 209
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Originally Posted by
pbonura
blackhorn is cleanest. Two. Three is overfill.
Another vote for BH209 if you can stomach the cost.
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July 7th, 2016, 09:04 PM
#10
Has too much time on their hands
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