I guess I am confused! Are all 50 cal. Thor bullets made of the same material? If so, I don't understand how bullets of the same diameter and weight could be several "sizes" unless some were extraordinary odd-ball shapes - long needle noses, figure 8s with multiple rifling contact surfaces etc. In that case, would 250gr or 300gr bullets be best and, and if there is a choice, what shape is best? Also, should I start with 100 gns Blackhorn and work up in 1 gr increments?
muzzleloader - 2015 Colorado elk
- Thread starter ted368
- Start date
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
First of all you need to contact Thor and request a "Try Kit". It will contain 4 bullets, each will be a different diameter. They will be color coded and will be .500 (no color), .501(red), .502(black) and .503(blue) diameters. Instructions will be included on how to use them to determine the best fit for your particular rifle. You order bullets (both 250 & 300 gr) by diameter. All barrels, even those from the same manufacturer do not have the same internal diameter. They will vary by trying the different diameter bullets, you will find the one that fits best and should enable the gun to shoot better groups.
Thor Bullets, OPG Gun Ventures, 15994 Hwy 5, Purdin, Mo. 64674 (660) 244-5251
Thor Bullets, OPG Gun Ventures, 15994 Hwy 5, Purdin, Mo. 64674 (660) 244-5251
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CoHiCntry
Veteran member
Sorry if all our jabbering was confusing! Yes all Thor's are made from the same material. They have two weights, 250 & 300 grain. They have several diameters to choose from in those weights as CC stated above. This way you can find the perfect fit for your gun's barrel. I would look at the 300 grain if your after Elk although I'm sure the 250 would do the job.
Dakota Drifter
Member
Thanks to all!
I have asked Thor for a "try Kit." Thor is sending it to me. Thanks again for an informative thread.
I'll hope I score an opportunity for a shot. I believe I can hit him in the chest at 100 Yds or less. Certainly wouldn't try beyond that without a scope, which I cannot legally use anyway. Short of breath and physically stressed doesn't help accuracy. Ted
I have asked Thor for a "try Kit." Thor is sending it to me. Thanks again for an informative thread.
I'll hope I score an opportunity for a shot. I believe I can hit him in the chest at 100 Yds or less. Certainly wouldn't try beyond that without a scope, which I cannot legally use anyway. Short of breath and physically stressed doesn't help accuracy. Ted
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Slugz
Veteran member
Powerbelts have lots of documented fragmentation upon hitting a bone vice maintaining the percentage weight they were supposed to.. I weigh everyone we find. Usually in the off side skin.
MWScott72
Active Member
Someone correct me here if needed, but I believe a 125-grain load of BH209 might knock his shoulder off. Isn't BH209 a hotter powder than 777 or Pyrodex? If I remember correctly 125 grains (by weight) was the hottest recommended load in my .52 last year. I was shooting a 375 grain bullet and ended up shooting 100 grains by weight. MUCH EASIER on the shoulder! Again someone correct me or pipe in as needed.
MWScott72
Active Member
For the record, i'm not a big muzzy guy (but am becoming one). Using the muzzy route knocked about 6 years wait time off my UT permit last year. What a magical time to be in the mountains!!
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
Yeah, 125 grains by weight would probably knock his shoulder off, LOL! Even 120 grains by volume is a pretty stout load of BH209. I think 120 grains is the max recommended load for BH209 if I remember correctly?
SHHHH.....
Nebraska Outlander
Active Member
- Sep 6, 2011
- 160
- 0
I'd stay away from power belt for sure. I haven't elk hunted yet but I've done allot of muzzleloader. I would use the Thor or the Hornady that is similar to the Thor. I have heard more horror stories from the power belt then any other bullets.
The other thing I'd really check into is all the rules on muzzleloader for Colorado cause I'm not sure you can use blackhorn209 but I might be wrong. Just know Colorado had allot of rules for ml.
The other thing I'd really check into is all the rules on muzzleloader for Colorado cause I'm not sure you can use blackhorn209 but I might be wrong. Just know Colorado had allot of rules for ml.
CoHiCntry
Veteran member
I watched a 340 bull get tipped over this year using a 295 grain powerbelt. But I agree with you that I've heard to many horror stories that I would look else where unless Powerbelts were the only good option. I've killed elk and mule deer with them and have been on other successful elk hunts where a powerbelt was used. Like Hilltop stated earlier, I think ensuring you have a good broadside shot at a reasonable distance goes a long ways to making sure your shot counts..
You can use BH209 in Colorado, so no problem there...
Dark Mavis
Active Member
Dang, everybody keeps hatin on my Walmart red tag clearance powerbelts. Guess I'm gonna have to spend a few extra dollars and buy some different bullets before I head back to CO.
PlainsHunter
Active Member
I've never shot an elk. I've shot many deer with muzzleloaders and I've had powerbelt bullets come apart on deer shot at close range. Really come apart. I was using standard powerbelt bullets (back in 2007?) and had mixed success. Never lost a deer but the bullets did fragment, a lot. The Hornady FPB's I used did not come apart. Just my experience with deer.
njackson99
New Member
I am currently training for Muzzleloader season and I am going on 3 mile walks with a 30 pound pack. I am also wearing an Elevation Training Mask set to 9000 feet they sell them online or at Dicks Sporting Goods for about $80. I may look like Bane from Batman but I am building up my lungs.
Mustang06
New Member
In 2014 we hunted Unit 54 with Muzzleloaders. .50 cal TC omega, Blackhorn 209 (110 grns), and the Hornady FPB bullets(350 grain).
4 of us in the group and we were all shooting the exact same gun/loads/bullets. Grouped pretty well out to 100 yds. (didn't see the point in practicing much beyond that, as we all pretty much agreed that with open sights that would be our limit.)
My buddy shot a big cow at about 60 yards broadside. She went only about 50 yards, double lung shot, great blood trail.
The bullet penetrated to the off side shoulder and I recovered it from just under the hide. I didn't scale it, but I would guess about 80+% weight retention and a perfect mushroom to about 1.5 times original diameter. I would definitely recommend these bullets.
4 of us in the group and we were all shooting the exact same gun/loads/bullets. Grouped pretty well out to 100 yds. (didn't see the point in practicing much beyond that, as we all pretty much agreed that with open sights that would be our limit.)
My buddy shot a big cow at about 60 yards broadside. She went only about 50 yards, double lung shot, great blood trail.
The bullet penetrated to the off side shoulder and I recovered it from just under the hide. I didn't scale it, but I would guess about 80+% weight retention and a perfect mushroom to about 1.5 times original diameter. I would definitely recommend these bullets.
Kentucky hunter
Active Member
Just got my new cabela's book an found that Federal is making a new muzzleloader bullet Trophy Copper Bullet in 50 cal 270 gr looks like they might have something there full bore 50 cal no sabots
MountainHigh
Active Member
cmbbulldog
Active Member
- Jul 18, 2011
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mallardsx2
Veteran member
- Jul 8, 2015
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Just shot the Thor .502 300GR out of my Knight LRH.
Pretty good groups with 120Gr BH209, CCI M 209 primer
2" Groups at 100 yards. I find that to be acceptable.
Muzzle-loaders arnt meant to shoot over 200 yards anyhow.
Im only using a 9 power scope to getting very precise at 100 yards is kind of difficult anyhow.
Pretty good groups with 120Gr BH209, CCI M 209 primer
2" Groups at 100 yards. I find that to be acceptable.
Muzzle-loaders arnt meant to shoot over 200 yards anyhow.
Im only using a 9 power scope to getting very precise at 100 yards is kind of difficult anyhow.