How accurate are Hornady PA Conicals In the wrong barrel? | Hawken Muzzleloader Accuracy Test
The Hornady PA Concial is designed to give muzzleloaders with slow, 1:66 twist barrels a heavier projectile, but how does it do in a faster twist barrel? Today on I Love Muzzleloading, we find out.
The Hornady PA Conical is available for .50 caliber rifles. The box highlights the conical’s .512” size—the projectile weights 240 grains, over 50 grains heavier than a .50 caliber roundball.
For both the 50 and 100 yard targets we used a standard 80 grains of Swiss 3F black powder measured by volume, the same charge we’ve used to test other projectiles. This powder charge isn’t necessarily the best charge in terms of accuracy for this specific projectile, but it gives us a charge similar to those used when hunting game as well as a starting point for these tests.
Chronograph Readings for the PA Conical
1515 FPS
1768 FPS
1731 FPS
1744 FPS
1749 FPS
On our 50 Yard target, our 5-shot group clocked in at 3.25”, not bad, but I’d like to tighten this group up before taking it hunting at this distance. Similarly, our 100-yard group opened up quite a bit as well with a 6.25” group at 100 yards.
Remember, this is all being done in the “Wrong” barrel for this projectile, but even though it’s designed for a slower twist, we are able to get shots on paper at both 50 and 100 yards. As with anything muzzle-loading related, the key is practice.
These videos are not an excuse for you to not go out and test your own muzzle-loading supplies, I'm offering all of this up as data points for you to reference to get started to get out on the Range and begin preparing for your hunting seasons.
