BSK
Well-Known Member
Has any tried the Hornady Bore Driver bullets? Either the FTX or ELD-X? Anyone shot both? Curious on personal experiences with them.
Hornady Bore Driver bullets
- Thread starter BSK
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peytoncreekhunter
Well-Known Member
I've shot the ftx 300 grn in comparing to the xtp in 300 grn as far as checking the zero of my mz and they were they same zero. But I have not shot a deer with them yet to see the penetration or expansion of a recovered bullet.
I'd like to shoot them in a block of ballistic gel to see the penetration and expansion. There may be a YouTube video on that.
I'd like to shoot them in a block of ballistic gel to see the penetration and expansion. There may be a YouTube video on that.
The bore driver FTX is not very impressive with either powder charge tested here:
https://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/threads/hornady-50-caliber-bore-driver-ftx.39356/
The eldx is ok, not great:
https://www.modernmuzzleloader.com/threads/350-4g-bore-driver-eld-x.58070/
BSK
Well-Known Member
Wow, the guy at I Love Muzzleloading shot them in comparison to a bunch of other popular bullets, and the FTX was the most accurate bullet he tested (at 100 yard). However, he was using a hotter charge (80 grns BH209 by weight).
Accuracy is great and all, and I don't know of many people that ever had an issue with powerbelts and accuracy, but not expanding like shown is the main problem. It would be like using a field tip on an arrow. I would guess the construction of the ftx is similar to the sst/shockwave. IMO it's too hard of a bullet. Does fine at smokeless speeds, but not at standard muzzleloader speeds. That's why pistol bullets are so popular. They're not as aerodynamic, but they work very efficiently.
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We have no restrictions here on muzz. No reason to use bore size projectiles. Use sabots. Use BARNES. Yes they are a dollar a shot, so three of them is a gallon of gas. Good luck next Saturday everyone !
Or use a fury star tip
Ladys man
Well-Known Member
1984dog
Active Member
I have shot many different bullets through my ML. I found the 290 g Hornady BoreDriver to be the most accurate followed by the 340 Hornady Bore Driver ELD-X. The 300 g Hornady SST came in a close 3rd. Every gun is different so you need to shoot what works best in your gun. My ML has a 26" barrel with a 1:24" twist and is made to shoot heavier (and longer) bullets with higher bullet coefficients. If the rotational speed of bullet is not high enough, the bullet will tend to tumble and not be stable or group well. If your ML has a twist rate > 1:28", you may want to try a lighter bullet.
As a side note, I used a chronograph when shooting and found that the muzzle velocity of saboted bullets would decrease by 200-250 fps after the 3rd shot. It may be my gun, but the velocity drop was due to plastic fouling. Used a brass brush and muzzle velocity was restored.
Good luck.
As a side note, I used a chronograph when shooting and found that the muzzle velocity of saboted bullets would decrease by 200-250 fps after the 3rd shot. It may be my gun, but the velocity drop was due to plastic fouling. Used a brass brush and muzzle velocity was restored.
Good luck.
jman 125
Well-Known Member
Those are nasty on deer. I shoot the 300 grainers and total devastation is an understatement
I've been pleased with them so far. This was a 250gr
BSK
Well-Known Member
Not expanding? The problem with Powerbelts is they go to pieces (in the lighter models). What I want is a MZ bullet that WON'T expand too much. What I DON'T want is a 45 caliber pistol bullet in a sabot.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I will NEVER EVER use sabots! You have a 50-caliber gun. Why shoot a 45-caliber bullet?
Two words. Sectional Density
And they don't really mean much
I killed quite a few with patched round balls back in the early 90s.
BSK
Well-Known Member
BSK
Well-Known Member
I saw a lot of deer lost to round balls. Terrible penetration and even worse accuracy. Plus, you need a slow-twist barrel.
BSK
Well-Known Member
I absolutely will not shoot a light 45-caliber pistol bullet out of a 50-caliber rifle.
You're been given multiple options that just plain work but you're too stuck on a full bore option. There's entirely too much difference between manufacturers on muzzleloader barrels. TC used to run bigger than a cva. There isn't really a standard unlike rifle barrels, or even custom barrels. There's a reason sabots are popular. You can get them to fit a tight barrel or even a loose barrel. Pistol bullets work because they were designed to work closer to that velocity range. I have no idea why powerbelts are junk, but it pretty common to see them shoot very well but they don't perform well on an animal. Most everyone raves on Barnes, and I just wasn't impressed with them.
Lehigh defense controlled fracture and be done with it. Yes they take the scary sabots though
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Barnes Expander 300gr.
Barnes Originals are monsters. I've used the 300's from my muzzleloader in the past. I'm not sure what it would take to stop one but I'd bet money no animal in Tennessee would. I can't imagine what a 400 would be like penetration wise.
My Encore works perfect with a .452" Black Harvester Crush rib and .458" bullets. I know they make .458 specific but the regular ones work in mine.
Nothing in TN will stop a .458 400 grain Barnes Original at any angle with 3 777 Pellets or stiff load of BH 209 only a quartering shot on an elk will stop one.
