Hello, I recently received a new T/C Encore muzzleloader as a gift. This is my first muzzleloader and I'd like to use it for whitetail hunting next season. A friend recommended starting with two or three Triple 7 pellets (which I bought over the weekend). Any recommendations on bullets would be appreciated.

Thanks for any info!

I don't have a TC but I use 110 grains of T7 in my CVA and just killed two deer with it. If I remember correctly I am using Hornady 200 grain sabots, mine's a 45 cal. Both deer were a bit over 70 yard shots.

These muzzleloaders have absolutely no kick to them. Lots of fun to shoot.

My two CVAs like 110 grains of Pyrodex pellets behind either a 240 or 300 grain 44 cal XTP in the TC green sabots. Very accurate and, as Ann said, it puts the fun into shooting. All of my ML deer to date have been less than 50 yards.

AL,

250 SSTs are hard to beat in most MLers. I'm willing to bet that 2 777 pellets under a 250 SST or 250 TC Shockwave(Same as SST) would stack em' up and flat out slam game. 3 Pellets is not accurate in alot of MLers as well as Kicks alot more than two pellets.

If you are only going to be shooting out to around 125 or so yards and want some good bullets at a low cost, The Hornady .452" 250 grn XTPs and MMP Sabots are hard to beat for performance and accuracy. You can buy 100 of the 250s at online reloading shops for around $13 or so and you can get 100 of the mmp short petal sabots for 10-15 bucks.

Good Luck

Reloader

In regards to the SST vs. the Powerbelts, do the Powerbelts tend to require more of a "full house" load for accuracy? I was getting pretty good accuracy from the 250 gr. SST, but wanted to try the Powerbelts due to the much easier loading. With 100 grains (pellets) of 777, the accuracy of the Powerbelts was all over. Is it worth trying 150 grains with the Powerbelts?

Are the SST sabots just that tight to load for everyone? I have a .50 cal Omega. Thanks.

I'm currently shooting three "sticks" of American Pioneer with a Knight/Barnes 285 Ultra Slam bullet---I think that is what it's called.

I've had great luck with the shockwave bullets too in 250 and 300.

There are lots of good bullets and bullet-sabot combinations that will get the job done. I would suggest trying several to see what your gun prefers. I would also reccomend using granulated powder instead of pellets so you have more flexibility in your charges. I notice many shoot 100 or more grains. If your gun likes that and you dont mind the recoil thats fine. I have killed deer at 150 yds with 60 grains of Triple 7 and a 300 grain XTP. In my rifle it groups under an inch @ 100 yds and is very pleasant to shoot. It also helps to run a damp and then a dry patch through the bore between shots when testing for accuracy since when hunting most shots will be from a clean barrel. Good luck!

I was cleaning every 3 shots, but maybe should clean after every shot as your point about the clean barrel is well taken.

Duckster,

If youre getting good groups with your way its fine. I do it after every shot when testing different loads, but sometimes go more if I'm shooting just for fun . With Triple 7 you dont have to clean as often as with some other powders but I'm more concerned with where the first shot from a clean barrel goes than how tight the groups are on "rapid " fire. And patches are cheap. LOL

250 hornady XTP HP and 100 gr 777 2F in a MMP black sabot

240 xtp, barnes expander or 250 gr TC Shockwave should perform nicely under 100 grains out of your encore. I have a shooting buddy who has an Encore, he can't be bothered with loose powder, all 3 under 2x50 T7 pellets perform well. The 245 powerbelt shoot good as well out of his encore.

I personally agree with loose powder being more adaptable to find ultimate accuracy but certainly isn't required for MOD "minutes of deer" accuracy. Starting out pellets are a popular choice but many do cross over once they get the hankering to blow lots of smoke...