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Top 5 Conical Lead Bullets for Muzzleloader Hunting in Canada 2025 — Best 50 Caliber Options Reviewed

Published on Monday, August 25, 2025

Conical lead bullets provide a higher ballistic coefficient than round balls, delivering better accuracy and penetration for muzzleloader hunters at extended ranges. They are available in plain, gas-checked, and lubricated designs, and remain popular for shooters seeking a balance of traditional lead performance and improved trajectory. In the Canadian market, hunters choose conical lead bullets for improved downrange energy, reduced wind drift, and more consistent shot placement on deer, moose, and other big game. Regional preferences favor gas-checked and lubricated designs where colder temperatures and heavy fouling can affect accuracy, while plain conicals remain popular among purists who reload frequently. Product choice is influenced by caliber, grain weight, bore condition, and local regulations in provinces and territories, making 50 caliber conicals a versatile and widely recommended option for muzzleloader hunting across Canada.

Quick Menu

1. Best All-Round Hunter

2. Best Heavyweight Penetration

3. Best Lightweight Aerodynamics

4. Best Midweight Expansion

5. Best High-Velocity Tip

1
BEST ALL-ROUND HUNTER

Thompson Center Maxi-Ball 50 Caliber 370 Grain

Thompson/Center

The Thompson/Center Maxi-Ball 50 Caliber 370 Grain is a best-in-class heavy conical lead chosen for deep penetration and reliable energy transfer on large game; its weight and traditional Maxi-Ball profile make it a go-to for hunters who prioritize knockdown power. Compared with the heavier Hornady 385 gr it trades a small amount of momentum for broader compatibility and generally lower cost, and it offers more blunt-force performance than lighter offerings from CVA and Knight while being more versatile than Traditions' specialized carnivore option.

4.6
★★★★☆

  • Matched-fit accuracy

  • 370gr punch

  • Matched-fit accuracy

  • 370gr punch

Review Summary

90%

"Users praise the Thompson Center Maxi-Ball 50 cal 370 gr for excellent accuracy, reliable expansion and deep penetration on large game, with consistent performance over multiple hunts."

  • Classic patch-love

  • 370-grain conical hollowpoint tuned for consistent expansion in saboted muzzleloaders

  • Classic patch-love

  • 370-grain conical hollowpoint tuned for consistent expansion in saboted muzzleloaders

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Thompson/Center Maxi-Ball 50 Caliber 370 Grain is a best-in-class heavy conical lead chosen for deep penetration and reliable energy transfer on large game; its weight and traditional Maxi-Ball profile make it a go-to for hunters who prioritize knockdown power. Compared with the heavier Hornady 385 gr it trades a small amount of momentum for broader compatibility and generally lower cost, and it offers more blunt-force performance than lighter offerings from CVA and Knight while being more versatile than Traditions' specialized carnivore option.

  • Matched-fit accuracy

  • 370gr punch

  • Classic patch-love

  • 370-grain conical hollowpoint tuned for consistent expansion in saboted muzzleloaders

  • Thompson/Center profile known for dependable accuracy at typical hunting ranges

  • Matched-fit accuracy

  • 370gr punch

  • Classic patch-love

  • 370-grain conical hollowpoint tuned for consistent expansion in saboted muzzleloaders

  • Thompson/Center profile known for dependable accuracy at typical hunting ranges

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$25-40 CAD

2
BEST HEAVYWEIGHT PENETRATION

Hornady Great Plains 50 Caliber 385 Grain

Hornady

The Hornady Great Plains 50 Caliber 385 Grain sits at the top for premium manufacturing and maximum retained momentum, giving outstanding terminal performance on the largest game when paired with appropriate loads. It is typically pricier than the Thompson/Center and CVA options but justifies the premium with tighter tolerances and consistency; compared to the lighter CVA and Knight bullets it delivers superior penetration, while Traditions' Carnivore model targets a different niche with faster hydrostatic shock rather than pure mass.

4.5
★★★★☆

  • Penetration powerhouse

  • 385gr authority

  • Penetration powerhouse

  • 385gr authority

Review Summary

88%

"Buyers report the Hornady Great Plains 50 cal 385 gr delivers very consistent accuracy and controlled expansion; considered a premium, dependable choice though a bit pricier than alternatives."

  • Plains-conqueror

  • 385-grain heavy conical designed to maximize penetration and deep wound channels

  • Plains-conqueror

  • 385-grain heavy conical designed to maximize penetration and deep wound channels

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The Hornady Great Plains 50 Caliber 385 Grain sits at the top for premium manufacturing and maximum retained momentum, giving outstanding terminal performance on the largest game when paired with appropriate loads. It is typically pricier than the Thompson/Center and CVA options but justifies the premium with tighter tolerances and consistency; compared to the lighter CVA and Knight bullets it delivers superior penetration, while Traditions' Carnivore model targets a different niche with faster hydrostatic shock rather than pure mass.

  • Penetration powerhouse

  • 385gr authority

  • Plains-conqueror

  • 385-grain heavy conical designed to maximize penetration and deep wound channels

  • Intended for use in modern inline muzzleloaders with common sabots

  • Penetration powerhouse

  • 385gr authority

  • Plains-conqueror

  • 385-grain heavy conical designed to maximize penetration and deep wound channels

  • Intended for use in modern inline muzzleloaders with common sabots

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$30-50 CAD

3
BEST LIGHTWEIGHT AERODYNAMICS

CVA PowerBelt AeroLite 50 Caliber 300 Grain

CVA

The CVA PowerBelt AeroLite 50 Caliber 300 Grain is valued as a technically clever, lighter conical lead that enables higher muzzle velocity, flatter trajectory, and reduced fouling for hunters who favor quicker follow-up shots and mid-range accuracy. Financially it tends to be more economical than Hornady's premium line and mechanically friendlier in shorter-barreled rifles compared with the heavy Thompson/Center and Hornady rounds, making it a practical choice for hunters seeking a balance of speed, accuracy, and value.

4.2
★★★★☆

  • Belted stability

  • Lightweight speed

  • Belted stability

  • Lightweight speed

Review Summary

82%

"Shooters like the CVA PowerBelt AeroLite 50 cal 300 gr for its flatter trajectory, reduced recoil and good accuracy on repeated use, but many note it's underpowered for larger game compared with heavier bullets."

  • AeroLite zip

  • 300-grain PowerBelt profile offering a flatter trajectory and reduced felt recoil

  • AeroLite zip

  • 300-grain PowerBelt profile offering a flatter trajectory and reduced felt recoil

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The CVA PowerBelt AeroLite 50 Caliber 300 Grain is valued as a technically clever, lighter conical lead that enables higher muzzle velocity, flatter trajectory, and reduced fouling for hunters who favor quicker follow-up shots and mid-range accuracy. Financially it tends to be more economical than Hornady's premium line and mechanically friendlier in shorter-barreled rifles compared with the heavy Thompson/Center and Hornady rounds, making it a practical choice for hunters seeking a balance of speed, accuracy, and value.

  • Belted stability

  • Lightweight speed

  • AeroLite zip

  • 300-grain PowerBelt profile offering a flatter trajectory and reduced felt recoil

  • AeroLite tuning improves downrange velocity in saboted setups

  • Belted stability

  • Lightweight speed

  • AeroLite zip

  • 300-grain PowerBelt profile offering a flatter trajectory and reduced felt recoil

  • AeroLite tuning improves downrange velocity in saboted setups

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$20-35 CAD

4
BEST MIDWEIGHT EXPANSION

Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 50 Caliber 305 Grain

Traditions

The Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 50 Caliber 305 Grain is positioned as a niche, hunting-focused conical lead designed for rapid energy transfer on predators and medium game, delivering a good compromise between expansion and penetration at typical engagement ranges. It is competitively priced relative to Hornady and offers more terminal disruption than the lighter Knight Red Hot, while not matching the deep-penetration profile of the heavier Thompson/Center and Hornady options.

4.4
★★★★☆

  • Carnivore bite

  • 305gr punch

  • Carnivore bite

  • 305gr punch

Review Summary

86%

"Reviewers appreciate the Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 50 cal 305 gr for fast, reliable expansion and strong energy transfer on medium-to-large game, with occasional reports of feeding or sabot-separation issues."

  • Quick-kill profile

  • 305-grain conical engineered for rapid, reliable expansion on medium-to-large game

  • Quick-kill profile

  • 305-grain conical engineered for rapid, reliable expansion on medium-to-large game

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

The Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 50 Caliber 305 Grain is positioned as a niche, hunting-focused conical lead designed for rapid energy transfer on predators and medium game, delivering a good compromise between expansion and penetration at typical engagement ranges. It is competitively priced relative to Hornady and offers more terminal disruption than the lighter Knight Red Hot, while not matching the deep-penetration profile of the heavier Thompson/Center and Hornady options.

  • Carnivore bite

  • 305gr punch

  • Quick-kill profile

  • 305-grain conical engineered for rapid, reliable expansion on medium-to-large game

  • Optimized for modern inline muzzleloaders and standard sabots

  • Carnivore bite

  • 305gr punch

  • Quick-kill profile

  • 305-grain conical engineered for rapid, reliable expansion on medium-to-large game

  • Optimized for modern inline muzzleloaders and standard sabots

Order Now

$18-30 CAD

5
BEST HIGH-VELOCITY TIP

Knight Red Hot 50 Caliber 250 Grain

Knight

The Knight Red Hot 50 Caliber 250 Grain is the market leader for hunters seeking a lightweight, high-velocity conical lead that produces a flatter trajectory and reduced recoil ideal for small to medium game and quick shots. Its lower mass usually makes it the most affordable and easiest to shoot among these options, though it sacrifices the heavy-penetration characteristics of the Thompson/Center and Hornady bullets and focuses instead on speed and shootability compared with Traditions' carnivore-tuned design.

4
★★★★☆

  • Speedster 250gr

  • High-velocity zing

  • Speedster 250gr

  • High-velocity zing

Review Summary

80%

"Users find the Knight Red Hot 50 cal 250 gr effective and easy to shoot for small-to-medium game and turkey work, though several note it can be light for big game and may leave more bore leading."

  • Red-Hot flair

  • 250-grain lighter conical often fitted with a polymer tip for improved ballistic coefficient

  • Red-Hot flair

  • 250-grain lighter conical often fitted with a polymer tip for improved ballistic coefficient

Recreational Enjoyment

Skill Development & Mastery

Time-Saving Convenience

The Knight Red Hot 50 Caliber 250 Grain is the market leader for hunters seeking a lightweight, high-velocity conical lead that produces a flatter trajectory and reduced recoil ideal for small to medium game and quick shots. Its lower mass usually makes it the most affordable and easiest to shoot among these options, though it sacrifices the heavy-penetration characteristics of the Thompson/Center and Hornady bullets and focuses instead on speed and shootability compared with Traditions' carnivore-tuned design.

  • Speedster 250gr

  • High-velocity zing

  • Red-Hot flair

  • 250-grain lighter conical often fitted with a polymer tip for improved ballistic coefficient

  • Suited to hunters seeking flatter trajectories and quick expansion at typical muzzleloader speeds

  • Speedster 250gr

  • High-velocity zing

  • Red-Hot flair

  • 250-grain lighter conical often fitted with a polymer tip for improved ballistic coefficient

  • Suited to hunters seeking flatter trajectories and quick expansion at typical muzzleloader speeds

Order Now

$22-35 CAD

How conical lead bullets work and the science behind their advantages

Beginners and experienced hunters alike benefit from understanding the core ballistic reasons conical lead bullets outperform round balls in many muzzleloader applications. The improvements come from better aerodynamics, higher sectional density, and consistent engagement with rifling. That translates to flatter trajectories, less wind drift, and more reliable penetration on medium and large game. Evidence comes from external ballistics principles, manufacturer ballistic tables, and comparative field tests used by shooting sports researchers and hunting organizations.

Higher ballistic coefficient (BC): Conical shapes reduce drag, which slows velocity loss and reduces wind drift compared with spherical projectiles.

Sectional density and penetration: Heavier conicals with concentrated mass deliver greater sectional density, improving retained energy and penetration at hunting ranges.

Gas-check and lubrication benefits: Gas-checked bullets minimize leading and maintain velocity consistency; lubricated bullets reduce bore fouling and preserve accuracy over multiple shots.

Stability and rifling fit: Properly sized conicals that engage rifling cleanly exhibit more stable flight, translating to improved shot-to-shot consistency.

Empirical testing: Field tests and ballistic chronographing used by hunters and independent testers show measurable downrange energy retention and tighter group sizes for modern conicals versus round balls at comparable muzzle velocities.

In Canada for 2025, conical lead bullets remain a top choice for muzzleloader hunters who want extended-range performance without sacrificing traditional lead characteristics. The five featured options on this page — Thompson Center Maxi-Ball 50 Caliber 370 Grain, Hornady Great Plains 50 Caliber 385 Grain, CVA PowerBelt AeroLite 50 Caliber 300 Grain, Traditions Smackdown Carnivore 50 Caliber 305 Grain, and Knight Red Hot 50 Caliber 250 Grain — each serve different needs: from heavy-penetration matchups to lightweight, fast-flattening profiles. For most Canadian big-game hunters seeking an all-around balance of accuracy, energy, and versatility, the Hornady Great Plains 50 Caliber 385 Grain stands out as the best overall choice. We hope you found what you were looking for; use the site search to refine by grain weight, design type (plain, gas-checked, lubricated), or expand your search to include sabots, sizing dies, and provincial legal guidance.

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