How to Pick Muzzle Loader Ammo

Determine what kind of muzzle loader you have. If it's the old, traditional type of muzzle loader, it will work best with loose black powder. But black powder is often hard to find nowadays. Most people use sulfurless muzzle loading propellants. These traditional guns are normally shot with a patch (a piece of cloth you put in after the powder) and a ball on top of the cloth patch. These muzzle loaders come in a variety of calibers. A 32-caliber gun is good for small game. A 45-caliber gun or a 50-caliber gun in a muzzle loader is best for large game.

Pick a different kind of muzzle loader ammo for an in-line muzzle loader. This propellant can be bought in pellets and powder. The pellets come in a variety of grain weights: 30 grain, 45 grain and 50 grain. These pellets are clean-burning and it's easy to clean your gun after use.

Know that there is a muzzle loader type of ammo called a "Sabot." A Sabot is a plastic jacket that surrounds the bullet. It is normally cupped on the bottom so that it will build pressure in the chamber of the muzzle loader. This makes the bullet more accurate. The Sabot breaks away from the bullet when it leaves the barrel. Sabot ammo is a good pick for large game hunting.

Consider picking another kind of muzzle loader ammo that is a belted bullet. These bullets have a plastic belt around the bottom which is attached to the bullet.

Experiment with different kinds of muzzle loader ammo to see which type your particular gun "likes." As with any gun, different weights of bullets and powder charge may operate better than another in your particular muzzle loader.