Hunting with black powder handguns

How many of you hunt with a muzzle loading handgun and what do you use? I use a 15 inch factory 209X50 TC Encore loaded with 100 grains of Triple 7 powder and a saboted 300 grain 45 caliber XTP. I've taken whitetail and hogs with it.

I use a TC Scout in .50 caliber. Load 370 grain Maxi Ball over 80 grains of Goex FFG black powder. Very effective on deer.

I use a custom 209x50 contender muzzleloading barrel with 75 grains of 777 and 45 cal 250 WFN in a sabot. I've taken a few deer with it. This year I'll also be using my new Ruger Old Army with a round ball and 35 grains of 777. Hope to take a couple deer with it.

So far I have only taken small game with my .54 cal Lyman Plains Pistol.

I have taken deer with a Clements 50 cal 5 shot Ruger Old Army with 250 grain cast and 50 gr 3f triple 7. I have sold that gun and will be using a CVA Optima V2 with 248 gr Powerbelt and 100 gr of Blackhorn

Hank,
I also have an Optima V2 but have only used 70 gr of powder so far. How is it shooting with 100 gr ?

Jeff

Killed a pig with my converted striker. 250fxt in MMP sabot with 45gr of 4227. Have yet to pull the trigger on a deer. Maybe this year

Works fine for me. I haven't bothered to chronograph it but shoots well. I saw where Blackhorn powder gives a little more velocity than Triple 7. I really like how it allows reloads without swabbing the barrel. I only had a 100 gr measure for my dispenser so that is what I use, the same for my CVA Wolf rifle. Keep it simple and if it works don't fix it are my mottos.

If you switch to Blackhorn remember that you cannot use muzzleloader 209 primers, only regular shotgun primers. The muzzeloading 209's are weaker and will not reliably fire Blackhorn.

I cut my teeth in black powder (yes always original) with a Ruger Old Army which I received as a Christmas gift from my wife 25 years ago. It has been durable and highly accurate and although not personal experience I know others who report that with a properly placed round ball shot at reasonable(?) distance it is sufficient for deer. I would assume that plenty of field practice would be in order....and that is fun in itself.

Thanks guys. I wasn't sure how many of us hunted with these.
TCScout, I've always liked the look of the Scout handgun. Congrats. I'd like to have one in 54 caliber.
KRal, how long is the barrel on your Contender?
Pab1, your 54 caliber should do great. Hope to see some pictures.
Hank, your Ruger was a beast all its own. Good looking gun. Congrats on whoever got it.
X-Ray Eyes, I've heard someone makes a conical bullet for the Ruger that you can hunt with.
I thought about putting my 26 inch barrel on my handgun but would definitely have to use a rest. I can shoot my 15 inch off hand if I have to.

I don't use one, but I've considered it. What's the recoil like with them?

It all depends on the load. I did a lot of testing to find one my gun likes.

Okie, my barrel is 15 1/4" if I remember correctly.

I took this bull with my Encore 209X50 in Colorado with a T/C Maxiball.

Interestingly enough I petitioned the Wildlife Commission to legalize BP Handguns for the muzzleloader season, but they only legalized them for use during regular rifle seasons. Go figure.

I also shot a doe antelope; check out this short seven seconds video on the knockdown power of this big heavy slug. You can see the white smoke from the shot.


.50 Caliber Smackdown

But, Gregg....at least you can smoke marijuana...LOL

That's just ridiculous.

I am getting a cva optima v2 pistol for Christmas. Plan to use it to kill a deer next deer season. What load does everyone use to hunt deer with?

I use 80 grains of Blackhorn 209 with a magnum shotgun primer topped with a 240 grain Hornady XTP bullet in a sabot. This load performs like a 44 magnum. Double lung pass thru with lots of damage. A great gun!

billa, thanks for the load information. That sounds like a good load. I have killed 6 deer with a 44 revolver so I know what that bullet will do at 44 mag velocities. Have you killed any deer with this load? If so at what ranges do you feel comfortable shooting this load?

Check my post just down the page a bit. I shot a doe a couple months ago with great results. The Optima will take up to 100 grains but I am happy with 80 for now. I would be comfy taking a 100 yard shot with my gun in good conditions. The same as a good scoped 44 revolver. Its all about proper placement of the shot. Some guys might shoot further but thats my limit with a 44 magnum.

Try my Universal Bullets they work well in that pistol. They were tested by two known gun writers at the range and in the field, originally I invented them for Cap and Ball Percussion Revolvers, where with the right powder make those Percussion Revolvers into Magnums! I have taken several charging Wild Boars with them. We also find they work great in Muzzle loading Pistols and Rifles, Cartridge firearms and now looking into big Bore Air guns as well. Bellow are documented videos of the various tests and hunts with Black Powder Pistols and Revolvers.
http://youtu.be/VVmYRePzoOQ
http://youtu.be/DdauzEFXMNc
http://youtu.be/LP_dwo2nThA
http://youtu.be/dTnG1x-orSk
http://youtu.be/BtCSaVSTlmQ
http://youtu.be/2PwgPwPkSdQ
http://youtu.be/YIigBXZFFQg

I Hunt Big, Medium and small game with mainly Black Powder Handguns of which I mostly use, Percussion Revolvers. Like the Ruger Old Army, Pietta and Uberti Remington's, 1860 Army, 1851 Navy (44) Walkers and Dragoons as well. I invented a series of very effective conical bullets for. The bullets with the right type of powders achieve Magnum Power, I have taken several Wild Boar with them, normally one to two shot kills. The hunts are documented on You Tube by known author and hunter Hovey Smith. My Universal Bullets also work well in Muzzleloading Pistols and Rifles. I like to also hunt with the Traditions Buck Hunter Pro in 9.5 inch and 12.5 inch barrels. I mainly use Triple Seven Powder but also others like Real Black and Black MZ and have used Pyrodex in the past. See video of my 1st Wild Boar Hunt bellow as documented by noted author Hovey Smith.
http://youtu.be/BtCSaVSTlmQ

VKV, have you hunted with or shot the CVA Optima v2 black powder pistol? I got one for Christmas and plan to hunt with it next muzzle loader season?

Hello REDHAWK,

No Sir I have not. You are a lucky man, as "Santa" was good to you! I am planning to this upcoming ML season. It has been much as I do the Bullet business as a part time love hobby in addition to being a LEO. Lately I will get more time as to the possibility to being soon retired where I can concentrate more time and effort. I also want to use mine which is still unfired new. My main efforts have been with Percussion Revolvers demonstrating my Universal Bullets in them taking Wild Boar. I plan this coming Muzzleloading Season to use my Optima, in addition to Buck Hunter Pro also. My friend noted author and Hunter Hovey Smith has tested the Optima with my Bullets and is using his on the hunt. Here is a video of the tests. http://youtu.be/dTnG1x-orSk