HOW TO SWITCH - MUZZLELOADER

 

Muzzleloading bullet options for lead-free use are increasing every year! Always check your local laws to make sure a lead-free projectile is legal to use. Many muzzleloader seasons have projectile specifications. Roundball lead does not fragment as much as conical lead bullets. Consider this as a backup if lead-free projectiles are not legal during your muzzleloader season. NOTE: Sabots use bullets smaller than bore size.

Check local laws for any projectile size restrictions.

 

Benefits to Lead-Free Muzzleloader:

  1. Lighter Bullet

  2. Flatter trajectory

  3. Not as much Energy

  4. More Aerodynamic

HOW TO SWITCH

Know your twist rate to switch! Different rifle twists stabilize different types of bullets. Check manufacturer's recommended load data in your particular firearm for examples. For most .50 caliber muzzleloaders, 1:66" is designed to stabilize round ball bullets, 1:48" is designed to stabilize round ball and conical bullets, and 1:28" is designed to stabilize more modern conical and sabot bullets. Twist rates will vary depending on manufacturer and caliber.

All projectiles may not work for your firearm. For example, if you have a traditional style 1:66” rifle that is designed to fire lead round balls, you most likely will NOT be able to stabilize conical and/or sabot projectiles in your firearm. Consider other alternatives such as tungsten roundballs or home-cast bismuth/tin projectiles.

LEAD-FREE PROJECTILE OPTIONS:

Plain Projectile

    • Thor: Hammer and Lightning

    • Tombob ITX roundball (Available in .32, .45, .50, .54 and .62)

    • Home-cast tin/bismuth (follow all recommended safety protocols when home-casting)

    • Home-cast tungsten (extremely high melting point, follow all recommended safety protocols when home-casting)

    Thor sells a sizing kit that can be used to make sure that you get a good seal from the base of the bullet when fired. Check it out here >>

Belted/Skirted Bullets

Sabot

For more on Muzzleloader data, check out Hodgdon Reference Data.


For a great online place to purchase lead-free muzzleloader options, check out muzzle-loaders.com and filter for “California Legal”.

Always check with your local laws for purchasing ammunition online