Got this buck on the second to last day of ML season. Was around 10 degrees and windy. He came out right at last light. I wasn't sure if he would make it over to where I was before dark, and I was really cold after a 2 hour sit. He took his time, but finally got broadside within range just before last shooting. Shot was about 30 yards walking. 50 cal trapper pistol shooting a 45 cal XTP sabot. Got a pass through on a double lung, but no expansion or blood trail. Bullet penciled through. He only went 40 yards and I watched him pile up in the field. It was actually hard to find the bullet holes because he just didn't bleed externally.

I was super exited, because I have been wanting to get a buck with the Trapper for a while, but haven't had the shot opportunities during ML season.

Plan to do a Euro mount, and display the gun with the mount.

Thanks!

[img]http://www.handgunhunt.com/photopost/showphoto.php?photo=8615&ppuser=4430[/img]

I must be doing something wrong with the pic. It's in the bragging board.

Thanks

I just added your photo for you. Very nice buck with any weapon but a caplock muzzleloader makes it very special.

Thanks REDHAWK!

Nice buck with a unique handgun -- Congrats!

Awesome!!!!!!!

Outstanding!!! Freezing temps and a black powder pistol!!! You......re the man!

Congrats. Good looking buck and gun.

Good on ya! With a "primitive" weapon at that.

Nice buck! And judging by the weather and equipment used, you earned that one. Congratulations on the trophy!

IMmpressive!

WTG!!

Very nice, congrats! Love your smoke stick. As you've found out first hand, a XTP will not expand at those low velocity. You can use a WFN hard cast with those sabots and get better performance with the lower velocities, at least from my experience with the smoke sticks.

Yep, I need a different projectile. The xtps were just what I had for my ML rifle.

Thanks for all the great comments!!!

It was such a cool experience. The snow coming down sideways, and then the gun makes such a neat double sound. Ka....BOOM

Super fun.

Dude that's awesome stuff! I'll certainly tip my hat to ya.

Grats.

good going !

vary nice buck. have to ask why sabot instead of a conical?

I had a box of sabots that I used for my ML rifle, and they shot well out of the pistol so I thought I'd try them. Ultimately they worked great in this case, as he only went 40 yards into a field. A 45cal hole through the lungs didn't need to expand.

That being said...I will want something else for next time. I had to sift through the fur to find the entry and exit holes. No blood, which can be a major problem if they run into the thick stuff.

I think like KRal said, a wide flat front is going to be the answer. I don't think I will get anything to expand at that low of a velocity and still get a pass through.

I do like your idea of a conical if I can find one with a flat front. It will increase my hole size from 45 to 50!

Congrats, that's awesome! What powder and what powder charge are you using in the short-barreled muzzleloader? I've got both 10" and 14" Contender 50 caliber muzzleloading barrels and the 14"er works great but the 10"er has proven to be more challenging to work with.

I shoot the 250 WFN from Montana Bullet Works and have had good results.

a fine looking buck.......

Used 50 grains of pyrodex. Very mild to shoot. I think I'll end up settling on 70 for a little more punch. 100 is way too much. I'm not recoil sensative, but it bruised my hand pretty bad. Hurt for a couple days. The wood handle is skinny.

I'll give that WFN a try.

Thanks!!

I use that bullet with a sabot and 75gr of Tripple7. It's a very accurate and mild load to shoot, but will punch through both shoulders of a deer at 83 yards.

Exellent. I'll try that combo.