For a muzzleloader hunting, the firearms are generally not designed for use with smokeless powder. The higher pressures generated could cause fatal failures. Generally, “real” black powder or a black powder substitute like pyrodex is used. These both burn more slowly and generate less pressure than modern smokeless powder, resulting in lower muzzle velocities.
In order to hunt ethically (not to mention legally), this necessitates taking the “classic” approach of throwing a bigger bullet to make up for the impact of velocity on the muzzle energy. Hornady’s data shows that it takes a .50 caliber, 250gr bullet to reach the muzzle energy of a .308 caliber, 175gr load.
For a muzzleloader hunting, the firearms are generally not designed for use with smokeless powder. The higher pressures generated could cause fatal failures. Generally, “real” black powder or a black powder substitute like pyrodex is used. These both burn more slowly and generate less pressure than modern smokeless powder, resulting in lower muzzle velocities.
In order to hunt ethically (not to mention legally), this necessitates taking the “classic” approach of throwing a bigger bullet to make up for the impact of velocity on the muzzle energy. Hornady’s data shows that it takes a .50 caliber, 250gr bullet to reach the muzzle energy of a .308 caliber, 175gr load.