NEEDED: Load for .50 cal New Englander

[sse]

Got a buddy who is brand new to this!  I have to start with him from the beginning.  Somebody gave him a New Englander.  I assume it has a 1:48 twist.  

If he says he wants to shoot either maxi-hunters or maxi-balls, I may tell him I can't help him, since I haven't shot a maxi-hunter in years, since I sold a T/C .50 cal Hawken.

Anyway, I'd like a suggested patch-thickness/ball diam combination for him, plus a starting load.  If he insists on shooting a B/P substitute, will likewise tell him I can't help him.  (I know, I'm harsh...LOL)
What say youz guys...?  Thanks in advance!

[rickevans]

I checked the TC site and found their extensive manual in PDF format that one can print.
   http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals/no ... r_Guns.pdf
Go to page #70.  They recommend a .490 RB and several patches to chose from their in product line.

Starting load? 75-80 grains 3FFF.

[sse]

Thanks, Rick...!  I still have that manual!  Thing is, I never followed the advice in there, but I suppose for starters it will give some good perspective.

[Fletcher]

I have a Renegade that I use a mini ball cast bullet - similar to the Lee REAL  but is a Lyman

I think it is around 300 gr

I shoot 70 to 90 gr FFF

Start with 70 gr, should be safe and get a good idea of how it shoots.

I would think the 70 gr is plenty to get deer or Black Bear out to 100 yd,

but I shoot 90 gr when expecting a bit longer shot and bigger animal.  
Make sure he shoots at various distance and write down the performance
(hopefully only bullet drop will be the issue)

To tell the truth I have not hunted this one for a number of years because
I like to play in the woods with my Hawken with the 31" 1:60 twist and PRB
but I know that load works

In fact I would be willing to sell/trade the Renegade to get another youth rifle
(similar to CVA Bobcat or Traditions hunter) with short barrel and single trigger
.50 cal

[Bigsmoke]

When I had a New Englander, it was .50 cal.  I used a .490 ball in a .010 patch lubed with either spit or Ol' Thunder.  I believe the powder charge I settled on was 75 grains of Ffg and RWS Red Label caps.
Using that loading, I paid for the gun several times over in prize winnings.  It really shot fine.

Fletcher, is that a .50 or .54 Renegade?

[sse]

.50 cal. I used a .490 ball in a .010 patch lubed with either spit or Ol' Thunder. I believe the powder charge I settled on was 75 grains of Ffg and RWS Red Label caps.

Thanks for that, just what the doctor ordered.

[sse]

That's a purty thin patch with just a .490 ball... Sure it wasn't a .015...??  Thanks, and pardon my nerve for asking...LOL  

Can only find .018's and .015's...

P.S. Especially with such a thin lube...

[Bigsmoke]

Well, Jimmy Veeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee, here is my reasoning for using a .010 patch in the ol' T/C.  How deep is the rifling in a T/C 1:48 barrel.  Maybe .006" on a windy November day with the rain coming down?  Always seemed a thin patch worked better with shallow rifling, and a thick patch with deep grooves.
Seems to me that when I was selling Ox Yoke products, they had .005, .010, .015 and .020 in plain cotton patches and .017 and .022(?) in ticking.  They came in various lube choices as well, dry, oiled, Wonder Lube and at one time, silicon.  Then we had product from a fellow in Colorado and he had several other thicknesses to choose from in diameters for each caliber: .45, .50, .54 etc.  Our patching area took up two full set of inventory shelving.  Good grief, it were something.
John

[Fletcher]

Bigsmoke

The Renegade is .50

I agree that the thin patch is more accurate in the T/C

I use .495 ball and .010 patch in my .50 T/C (3 of them)
that's why I will sell the Renegade!
and .535 ball with .010 patch in my .54 T/C Hawken

Definitely can tell the difference in shot group size

My son has 2 Lymans one a .50 and the other a .54
The jury is still out on ball vs. patch size on that brand
{added - .490 with .015 patch or .495 ball with .015 patch
or .535 with .010 vs .530 with .015}
Both seem to shoot well with either combo and ....
'on any given Sunday' - one seems better than the other

go figure

[sse]

Thanks for the comments you guys, makes a lot of sense.

[sse]

My bud procrastinated and now tomorrow he's coming over for me to look at this thing and somehow un-charge it.

Anyway, my other bud who gave it to him says there's a conical in it and a probable charge of pyrodex.  My thinking is it might be awful hard to pull a conical...  Best thing to do is maybe shoot it out, after making sure the nipple, threads, etc...are sound.

Before attempting to pull it, I could dump some water down to ease the friction, etc, but then if I can't pull it, the charge will be useless in shooting out the lead.

Thoughts from anybody would be appreciated...

[Riley/MN]

So this has been sitting for over a year with an unknown charge in it? I think I would be inclined not to try to shoot it out. How about an air compressor or one 'a them CO2 gizmos...

[sse]

don't have one...

[sse]

If the nipple is OK, or I swap it out with a new one...and I check the bore to make sure there isn't a mouse down there, what is a concern...?

[Riley/MN]

If the nipple is OK, or I swap it out with a new one...and I check the bore to make sure there isn't a mouse down there, what is a concern...?

My concern would be

Anyway, my other bud who gave it to him says there's a conical in it and a probable charge of pyrodex.

I would wanna be REALLY sure what is in there before pullin the trigger....