I have an MDM Buckwacka and have never been able to get the accuracy that I should from it. I've done a little studying and have found that early 45 cal muzzleloaders came out with a 1:20" twist. Since, it's been determined that this is too fast for most (practically all) 45 cal sabot bullets and almost all mfgs have converted to 1:28" - 1:30" twists.

Do I have any bullet options with my current, 1:20" barrel? I went to 45 cal wanting the option of 200yd shots on whitetail with minimum bullet drop. Any advice? I've thought about trying the 40 cal 260g Dead Center. Thoughts?

Can't help with the 45 Cal other than to say with the fast rate of twist you must use a conical bullet. I would suggest the T/C Maxi-balls to try, I think they are a very good bullet and should give you the accuracy you need.

I would suggest you try some White Powerstar sabot'd bullets in that rifle.

http://www.whiterifles.com/store/moreinfo.cfm?Product_ID=65

.40 cal 350 grain bullet in a .45 sabot.

Before looking at conicals you might want to slug the bore to get land to land dimensions - then try some NoExcuses conicals or the White conicals you'll find on that linked website.

Sell it and get a CVA 1in28 or 30 twist You can shoot conicals or sabots and they will perform at 200 Yards The Greenhill formula is used for figureing out what length bullet you need for the twist in a barrel + caliber , Your 1in20 = 1.200 length If you would like this formula E-Mail me and I will send the chart .

How does the Greenhill formula change, if any, when shooting a sabot? I assume you would use the actual diameter of the bullet and not the diameter of the bore.

I've heard that a 1:20" twist is tough on sabots......come out a little deformed. I will start checking mine next time I shoot.

Anyone have a thought on the 240g or 260g Dead Center with this twist?

I can see you are a Novice at this game ! using a sobot is the same Diameter as using a Conical solid bullet ! the length is the determining factor to stabilize the round coming threw the barrel for the twist factor ! 1 in 20 is as I said , every 1ength of bullet ? will be different to stabilize the bullet for the twist of rifling and caliber . 1.200 will be a heavy round, and if you want 200 yard shots Rainbow trajectry will be very high get ride of that gun and get a good one !

Do you have a CVA? What do you think about it? I've looked at the CVA Optima Pro and wonder how well it's made.

Hogwild,
I shoot a .45 muzzleloader with an 18" twist. I prefer 475-550 grn paper patched bullets in mine. A 20" twist will shoot bullets from 450 up to 550 grns reasonably, although they may fall apart accuracy wise at long range (800 yds or so). But for the most part, 450-550 will handle most any situation you want to deal with. I will be using a 475 gr flatnosed bullet this fall for deer.

Brent

HogWild have you tried Power-Belts? They shoot great in my TC Encore 50 I am planning on getting a 45cal barrel to use also.

If your bullet is to short it may not be stabilizing and causing it to wobble resulting in lousy accuracy.

Good luck I hope you get it figured out.

Thanks guys!

I have tried the power-belts with no success. Maybe I should have tried reduced loads.

Try talking with these guys

http://www.prbullet.com

Shot this five shot group @ 60 yards with my .45 Knight Disc Exteme and White Muzzleloader's PowerPunch 460 grain bullets. Can you say this may go with me Elk hunting this year!

Here is another bullet that shoots very well

http://www.muzzleloading-bullets.com/page3.html

BTW my 45cal Knight is a 1:20 twist with a Disc Extreme bolt kit

If you are going to sell and get something different DON'T get a CVA!! What you have is a good ML... you just have to get the right load and you may have to reduce the powder charge and go to a long conical. No Excuses conicals are excellent! I have take several at over 150 yds with the 460 gr conicals, 1 was over 180 yds.

And check out the White Powerstars like UC said.