Okay... I drew a muzzleloader tag for New Mexico elk. I know absolutely nothing about muzzleloaders. I shot my muzzleloader 3 years ago when I was given it as a present. I shot it about 9 times, got the scope sighted in and then put it in the gun safe. It hasn't been shot since. I pulled out the same pellets and tried shooting it again. The powder acted "old" and a couple of times the bullet and unburnt pelletized powder went about 30 yards and hit the ground. Can the powder get old and not work? Someone told me it only had a shelf life of one year. Is this true? The pellet container I was using this time had never even been opened.

I'm thinking about shooting Barnes Sabots with 150 grains of Triple Seven powder.

Okay,,, suggestions wanted badly!!!

What size bullet and what powder do you use for elk?

I have a .50 caliber Traditions bolt action muzzleloader.

The cannister or what ever you had the powder stored in may have allowed moisture inside, cause that is what it sounds like to me, the powder has been exposed to moisture.

Never shot an in-line, but the load you listed sounds good.

Good Luck on your hunt.

Thanks CHC

I read on the internet that when using Triple Seven powder, you are supposed to drop the load of powder by 15%. So, that would make the powder load 130 grains. I will also be switching to triple seven primers. Supposed to be hotter primers too and insure a good fire.

Sounds like you have it figgered out. Hope it all comes together.

Hope it all comes out great!

FYI No scopes, no sabots, and no modern in lines in New Mexico.

FYI...I read the regs...... sabots OK, scopes OK. Never looked at modern in lines regs. I had always heard that same thing. But, even my outfitter said to use sabots and to get a scope put on it in case we got a long shot.

Page 32 directly from the regulation booklet:
Muzzleloader: Any muzzleloading rifle no smaller than .45 caliber. Scopes and sabots are legal for all elk hunts.

I stand corrected, the restricted deer hunts don't allow scopes, sabots, and in lines. Sorry about the confusion. I only hunt the muzzeloader deer season and wasn't aware that the elk season was unrestricted.

I knew that there was some kind of restriction of muzzleloaders because everyone had always talked about them. So, it's deer that have the restrictions? That would be strange to allow one speices to be shot with sabots and not the other. Oh well, that's New Mexico for you.

Hey Hag, Not all guns shoot the same with Triple Seven Powder, I found that my TC Encore will group under a 1 1/2" with 110 grains of Pyrodex @ 100yards, using 240 grain sabot jacketed hollow point, but the group opened to over 2" with Triple Seven using the same bullet. Triple Seven hasn't shoot very good in any of the four guns I have. Also had some trouble with pyrodex pellets, not burning as good as just using the powder. Good luck on your hunt, but think long and hard before you try a long (Over 150 yard) shot , with a muzzle loader................

Hey my friend. Long time between phone calls. Thought some jealous husband found you. Haven't gotten to try the Triple Seven yet. Waiting on a breech removal tool. The one that came with the gun won't work with a scope on the gun. Made a road trip to Cabela's Saturday and picked up way too much stuff. I still have my powder measurer and a full can of pure powder. I might just be going back to the real stuff if this Triple Seven pyrodex doesn't group good at 150. Not wanting to take any chances on wounding a trophy bull. 150 yards is going to be my max I'll take a shot with the smoke pole. Taking my range finder for sure so I can range for my buddy and he can range for me.

By the way, I don't think Barbie is going to go to the WBT on the Red River in Sept. She's pretty down on it right now. I can't come there with her either. Our OTM trail championship is that same weekend and I'm a director, so I have to be there.

Well, Barbie could be saving herself some trouble, The Red was running "Brown" a few days ago. Lots of water due to the rains this year. You guys going to make it out this way to Rayburn this year??

Btw your welcome to use my TC if you want to ???