Head-to-Head Setup
| Spec | Texan .308 (Airgun) | CVA Paramount Pro .45 Cal (BP) |
|---|
| Projectile | 150gr SFBT (pure lead) | 280gr PowerBelt ELR |
| Muzzle Velocity | ~1042 fps | ~2320 fps |
| Ballistic Coefficient | ~0.200 | ~0.333–0.452 |
| Muzzle Energy | ~361 ft-lbs | ~1600–1700 ft-lbs |
The Paramount Pro is arguably the most advanced production BP rifle today2—a true long-range beast with high-BC bullets and super-magnum charges.
Energy Retention @ 700–800 Yards
| Range (yds) | Texan .308 Energy | Paramount Pro Energy |
|---|
| 700 | ~95 ft-lbs | ~400–450 ft-lbs |
| 800 | ~70–75 ft-lbs | ~300–350 ft-lbs |
- Black powder wins on raw energy, no question.
- But your .308 still holds ethical precision for small-to-medium game at 800 yards.
Drop & Wind Drift (Zero @100 yds, 10mph crosswind)
| Range (yds) | Texan Drop | BP Drop | Texan Drift | BP Drift |
|---|
| 700 | ~250 in | ~300–320 in | ~55 in | ~65–70 in |
| 800 | ~340 in | ~400–450 in | ~70 in | ~85–90 in |
- Your Texan’s flatter trajectory and tighter wind profile give it a serious edge in precision.
- BP’s heavier slug fights wind better than lighter BP loads, but still drifts more than your .308.
Time of Flight
| Range (yds) | Texan TOF | BP TOF |
|---|
| 800 | ~1.6 sec | ~1.3–1.4 sec |
BP gets there faster, but the Texan’s
predictable flight path and ZULUS integration make it easier to correct mid-flight.
Tactical Takeaway
- Paramount Pro dominates in energy, making it ideal for elk or large game at distance.
- Your Texan .308 wins on stealth, control, and precision—especially for coyotes, hogs, or pest control.
- At 700–800 yards, the Texan isn’t just holding its own—it’s outperforming BP in ethical hit probability.
First you have to know the restraints of a BP rifle even though they produce a great deal of fpe:
1. Inconsistent Burn Characteristics - Black powder has a non-progressive burn—it ignites fast and dumps energy early.
- This leads to pressure spikes that vary with humidity, grain size, and even how tightly the projectile is seated.
2. Fouling and Residue - Every shot leaves corrosive residue in the bore, which affects velocity and accuracy unless cleaned between shots.
- Fouling buildup changes barrel harmonics and projectile seating depth—bad news for consistency.
3. Ignition Variability - Percussion caps and flintlocks introduce delay and variability in ignition timing.
- Even modern inline BP rifles can suffer from hang fires or misfires, especially with loose powder.
4. Barrel Pressure Drop - Black powder pressure drops rapidly down the bore, especially in longer barrels.
- This limits velocity and makes it harder to maintain a flat trajectory past 600–700 yards.
5. Projectile Design Limitations - Most BP rifles use heavier, round-nosed bullets with lower ballistic coefficients.
- Even advanced BP rifles like the CVA Paramount Pro use high-BC bullets, but they still fight gravity and wind drift harder than your airgun’s boat tail slugs.
Tactical Summary
Even the best BP rifles—like the .45 cal Paramount Pro—can reach 800+ yards, but they struggle with:
- Trajectory arc (think rainbow vs laser beam)
- Wind drift (especially with lighter sabots)
- Shot-to-shot consistency (due to fouling, ignition, and powder variability)
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