muzzleloader

[bigv]

I am thinking about getting into muzzle loaders for hunting. Don't know a lot about them. Anyone give tips on what gun to look at or recommendations, leads, lightly used ones etc??

 

[SDMF]

I am thinking about getting into muzzle loaders for hunting. Don't know a lot about them. Anyone give tips on what gun to look at or recommendations, leads, lightly used ones etc??

They're all lightly used, takes about a decade to get a tag in ND.

On a more serious note and to answer your question. I've shot the Encore, Omega, and Triumph from TC they've all been very accurate and reliable.

 

[bigv]

I think it takes 5 years or so to get a buck tag here in SD but can get a doe tag every year.

 

[Achucker]

Hey there's always turkey and squirrels and such

 

[Shockwave]

Bought a TC about 10 years ago and shot it about 5 times. I bought it and started putting in for a muzzy tag. I went 7 years without drawing, and a buddy was on his 10th year, so I gave up. It's a good gun and always think I should try to shoot a deer with it during rifle season so I can at least get some use out of it.

 

[Big Iron]

I had great accuracy with a 50 cal CVA ACCURA V2 with .45 cal Hornady sabot loads. 150 grains powder.

If I cleaned the breach plug every shot, thing shot MOA.

 

[Allen]

Before any actual advice is given, we should probably know what your expectations are for the ML. Do you want to shoot deer at 300 yds, or are you in this for the challenge of shooting a deer with a primitive weapon? By primitive I am talking about round ball, cotton patch, blackpowder. I personally use primitive with a percussion cap ignition, but do know some who go even further by using flintlock.

And, the other posters aren't wrong. You should expect to wait about 10 yrs to draw a ML buck tag. Maybe you could get a doe tag every couple of years if you were to specifically put in for it. Of course, you can also use it to fill your regular rifle tag during the gun season, or if you get extra doe tags...you can use them in the ML season.

 

[Kurtr]

I think it takes 5 years or so to get a buck tag here in SD but can get a doe tag every year.

I used my father in laws tc last year pretty simple with a 1x scope I was good to 120 yards max. 2 pellets of powder and I can’t remember the bullets he uses but he kills a doe every year and it took me 3 years to draw the any deer tag. The snow last year killed me as I was chasing mule deer and could never get close enough to the one I was after. With the new draw system it might not take quite as long to get a tag. Those poor guys in nd waiting for tags.

- - - Updated - - -

Before any actual advice is given, we should probably know what your expectations are for the ML. Do you want to shoot deer at 300 yds, or are you in this for the challenge of shooting a deer with a primitive weapon? By primitive I am talking about round ball, cotton patch, blackpowder. I personally use primitive with a percussion cap ignition, but do know some who go even further by using flintlock.

And, the other posters aren't wrong. You should expect to wait about 10 yrs to draw a ML buck tag. Maybe you could get a doe tag every couple of years if you were to specifically put in for it. Of course, you can also use it to fill your regular rifle tag during the gun season, or if you get extra doe tags...you can use them in the ML season.

in sd you get a tag every year for doe and once every 3-5 for state wide any deer tag

 

[riverview]

i bought a Thompson encore 50 cal, and i bought a 22/250 barrel also so i the gun gets a lot of use.

 

[Allen]

Kurtr,

Yeah, no shooting mule deer bucks up here with a ML, unless you are willing to use it as your weapon of choice during rifle season.

I still really like the primitive stuff, especially using black powder. I get a kick out of the sparks, flame, and smoke.

 

[muzzyhunter]

The type of propellant you use will depend on the type of gun you buy.Caplocks and flintlocks will probly be Goex blackpowder or pyrodex,Pyrodex would be my choice of the two,easier ignition and way cleaner.I use 777 in my Hawken,but have changed the nipple to a magspark,which allows for 209 ignition.#11 precussion caps wont make 777 go boom all the time.777 is cleaner burning yet and easier to clean.All of these are cleaned with water base solvents or hot soapy water.I use the 777 cleaner and windex and qtip for the hard to reach spots cleans great.
For inlines 777 or Blackhorn 209 would be good choices.Blackhorn is the cleanest burning substitute,but also the hardest to ignite,and not all inlines are designed to shoot it.Nice thing about BH209 is it cleans with regular gun cleaners and you can put alot more shots through it before cleaning.
I use loose powder only,i have never seen an increase in accuracy with pellets,sticks or any of that other crap.Pre measuring powder into speed loaders is probly way quicker anyway.

 

[Allen]

in sd you get a tag every year for doe and once every 3-5 for state wide any deer tag

Hah, just noted where BigV is located. I tend to forget that you aren't our only SD representative on here.

 

[LBrandt]

I got 13 pf. points for wtail buck. My Knight magnum is about wore-out cleaning it. Shot 1/2 dozen deer with it before the license thing went to hell. She is good to 200 yards with a one power scope. LB

 

[wslayer]

10 yrs between muzzle draws. A year ago yesterday I took this one with Optima Pro
.

 

[5575]

Congrats wslayer, nice buck and snow to boot!
I have a 50 cal tc encore shooting two 777 and a 200 gr tc Shockwave works well. I'm sitting on 13 pref points, but I borrow out the tc almost yearly.
Borrowed my brothers tc the first time and made the most of it rattling this guy in to 40 yards. With 27.5 in main beams and longest tine going 13 he's one of my best ND bucks to date.

 

[deleted member]

beauty clark!

 

[Captain Ahab]

Anybody try the Federal Firestick setup?

 

[5575]

I'd never even heard of those firesticks until now, interesting stuff!

 

[muzzyhunter]

I could see a couple positives with the firesticks 1st being able to pull your charge without removing bullet,so you dont have to touch it off for storing 2nd primer sitting right on top of the charge should give great ignition.
Interesting,but they havent reinvented the wheel,predict a big flop and deeply discounted rifles in 3 years,definetly unique!!