Hi everyone,
This is gonna sound pretty stupid. But then, maybe it'll prevent someone from making a huge mistake later on. In this site, http://www.barnesbullets.com/faq_expander_mz.php , I found the following excerpt.
Will the MZ work in my smokeless muzzleloader?
Barnes tested the Savage 110 ML-II smokeless muzzleloader using Barnes 250gr MZ bullets, with excellent results. Savage recommends fast-burning powders such as XMP 5744, IMR 4227, &VV N110, all of which develop considerably higher pressures than will black powder or Pyrodex. Although the Savage rifle can safely handle the higher pressures, most of the sabots we tested cannot. Excessive pressures cause the sabot to fail, which results in inconsistent velocities, poor accuracy, and even bullet tumbling. Barnes tested several slower-burning powders such as H4198, and RL-7. These two powders gave pressures similar to black powder and Pyrodex, accuracy was sub-MOA, and velocity was excellent. Barnes has not yet conducted sufficient testing to publish starting and maximum loads for these powders, however about 65 grs of either powder appears equivalent to 150 grs of Pyrodex pellets.
What caught my eye particularly was the equivalence the author was concluding in regard to the pressures of the slower burning powders as compared to pyrodex. It would seem that about 65 grains of H4198 would produce equivalent pressures as pyrodex at 150 grains. And to someone inexperienced with muzzleloaders it might be twisted to mean that the 65 grains of H4198 is safe in his muzzleloader rated for 150 grains of pyrodex pellets.
I can find fault particularly in that, in my firearm at least, the bullet might seat below the rifle lands using so little volume of powder. Also, it seems to me, that in seating the bullet, either compaction or crushing of the smokeless powder would affect its burn rate and also pressures.
any comments?
This is gonna sound pretty stupid. But then, maybe it'll prevent someone from making a huge mistake later on. In this site, http://www.barnesbullets.com/faq_expander_mz.php , I found the following excerpt.
Will the MZ work in my smokeless muzzleloader?
Barnes tested the Savage 110 ML-II smokeless muzzleloader using Barnes 250gr MZ bullets, with excellent results. Savage recommends fast-burning powders such as XMP 5744, IMR 4227, &VV N110, all of which develop considerably higher pressures than will black powder or Pyrodex. Although the Savage rifle can safely handle the higher pressures, most of the sabots we tested cannot. Excessive pressures cause the sabot to fail, which results in inconsistent velocities, poor accuracy, and even bullet tumbling. Barnes tested several slower-burning powders such as H4198, and RL-7. These two powders gave pressures similar to black powder and Pyrodex, accuracy was sub-MOA, and velocity was excellent. Barnes has not yet conducted sufficient testing to publish starting and maximum loads for these powders, however about 65 grs of either powder appears equivalent to 150 grs of Pyrodex pellets.
What caught my eye particularly was the equivalence the author was concluding in regard to the pressures of the slower burning powders as compared to pyrodex. It would seem that about 65 grains of H4198 would produce equivalent pressures as pyrodex at 150 grains. And to someone inexperienced with muzzleloaders it might be twisted to mean that the 65 grains of H4198 is safe in his muzzleloader rated for 150 grains of pyrodex pellets.
I can find fault particularly in that, in my firearm at least, the bullet might seat below the rifle lands using so little volume of powder. Also, it seems to me, that in seating the bullet, either compaction or crushing of the smokeless powder would affect its burn rate and also pressures.
any comments?