Flintlock Question

Been lurking on the fishing boards for a couple of years, thought I would throw this out since I generally see good advice on these boards.
I have a Traditions .50 cal deer hunter with a 1:48 twist barrel.
For the past many years I have used both patch and ball and Maxi balls. 
My question is, is there a preferred ammo for a flinter?  Do sabots or powerbelts have a place in them?
I know you have to try each one and find the right load/powder charge, but I am just looking for the best starting point, i.e. the projectile itself?  I'm sure there are going to be differences of opinion, just looking for a consensus. 
By the way, I did contact Traditions, and they informed me that they "all would work well"
Not exactly the answer I was looking for.  Thanks in advance for any suggestions.

Having used the same T/C Renegade with a 1/48 twist  for 35 yrs now. I'll also say you'd be best in using a patched round ball. Although all of the fore mentioned will shoot with relative accuracy they will occasionally throw a flyer or not hold a tight pattern at least in my gun.
What are you trying to accomplish?
My gun likes 80 grains of 2F and a .490 ball with a .015 patch. 
Good luck Try lots of combos till you find what your gun likes.
Mike

BTDT, that looks like the gun.  When I purchased mine, it came in a similar packaging, but that was about ten or fifteen years ago.  Easy to take care of and break down and clean.  No problems with it at all.
Just posted on here trying to find out if I'm using the best possible ammo for deer hunting.   Like any other thing in today's world, a lot of improvements are made on products over a fifteen year period.  Wanted to be sure I wasn't missing the boat on some of these new loads that were coming out compared to the old patch and ball.

The 1/48 is a compromise twist. It is not ideal for either PRB, Sabots or Conicals. It will shoot PRB and lightweight Conicals decently.  Longer projectiles need faster twist to stabilize. Most saboted bullets, when combined with the sabot itself are long. Heavy conicals are long. 
 
I have found short, lightweight conicals such as the 275 grain TC Maxi Hunter and the 245 grain Powerbelts to shoot great out my 1/48. PRB also shoot well. If you want to use something other than PRB, stick to the light, and therefore shorter length conicals. 250 grain projectile is still a big projectile. It will do its job if you put it where it belongs. 

Thanks for all the input so far.  Kinda had a feeling that there would be several different views.   I was  leaning towards that TC 275 but I read more than one article that said you need to shoot a Longer bullet in a 1:48!!!
**** I'm confused.  And at my age if I test every bullet out there with different powder loads I'll be dead before the deer!  lol

I probably read it wrong.  I see what you are saying.

opsman
Never used the Power belts before.  Noticed you chose aerotip over HP.  
I'm assuming these don't need lubed when loading?

No lube needed. The slide right on in nice. The bullet itself is slightly undersized. The plastic base is what grabs the barrel. I shot both the HP and Aerotip and I got the best groups with the Aerotips. I am shooting a 1/48 TC Firestorm. Different rifles will shoot differently. 
 
Good place for you to start would be 90 grains of BP, 275 grain TC Maxi Hunters, 245 PBs, Hornady Pa Conicals. I would be willing to bet one of those will shot great for you. 

From my understanding flintlocks are engineered to shoot a specific projectile. However they will and can shoot other types of projectiles. EX. T/C told me my PA Hunter was designed to shoot round balls and 90 grains of 3F black powder. She told me that would be the most accurate. She was right as I've tried several different combinations. Now my inline was designed to shoot 100 grs. of pyrodex pellets and power belts. My buddys lymann flintlock shoots chonicles the best as per the manufacturers recommendation. I'd get the manufacturers specs to give you a starting point.
 
BH

opsman
dpms, bought a pack of .245 pg and must say I am pretty happy with them!  One question though.  Read on other forums of ppl experiencing problems such as plastic separating from them bullet in the barrel, and instances of bullet falling out!  Have you heard of or experienced any of these problems?

Have not heard or experienced that issue.

SWEET!!! that's great!
Good to see a useful post with good results reported in the end.
Buck-Doe its about the hunt not what others think of your results RIGHT???
If you were out TODAY 1/7/15 you earned that doe!
 
WCW
 

Old Rene spit out her favorite load(a PRB powered by 80g's of 2f) today and notched the 20th whitetail in her illustrious 35 year career.  

Iron,
1A Pymy goose management hunt.
Mike