Getting started w/ a smokepole

[fishuhalik]

What's some good books I can pick up on getting started with a muzzleloader? I'm tired of all the pressure on opener and I think I need to start getting in on the later season!

[96trigger]

Last year was the first year that I hunted with a ML. If you are familiar with guns, they are a quick learn. The book I got with the gun was great. Told me how to trouble shoot things etc....

I don't know of any books that will go over the ML but if you ask on here and wait, you will get a wealth of info.

For example. I bought a remington Genesis. I use 2 triply seven pellets and the hornaday SST sabots. It is basically the same thing I'm shooting out of my shot gun. As for primers, I spend the money and bought 100 federal ML 209 primers, even though I have numerous shotgun 209 primers, the ML primers supposedly burn hotter and cleaner.

Keep the gun clean, one mistake I made was shooting ten rounds through the gun without cleaning it. The breech plug got so tight I had to get a wrench from my shot on it, I couldn't use the supplied wrench as I was afraid of stripping it. Also, mark your ramrod so you know how far down you have to push it to get it seated right on top of the powder. In my case, the geneisis doesn't give me a lot of room, I need to use the bullet starter to get the sabot pressed solidly against the powder. The ramrod is the exact length of the barrel when seated.

You will need to buy a whole assortment of stuff to get started, expect to throw another $100 bill just for the bullets, primers, powder, bullet starter, and all the cleaning supplies and lube materials. I would go inline to start. They are simple and pretty much fool proof. The guns will get cheaper after the season, and asking for all the supplies would make great Xmas gifts from somebody.

I am not going to lie, I am definitely not the most experienced ML hunter on this forum. I'm sure others will chime in.

[fishuhalik]

So I've been doing some research, and I'm lost. I've always known that TC makes a great gun but I really don't know the difference between that and some of the cheaper guns (CVA, Traditions, etc.). One thing I really like about the TC Encore is that I can buy a centerfire barrel for it, I've always wanted a 22-250 for varmints, yotes, and just plinking.

TC's HSOforum says that they're accurate to 200 yards. I was always under the impression that a ML is no good past about 100 yards? If I can reach 200 there isn't many areas that I can't cover.

Also, do muzzleloaders need specific scopes like shotguns do because of the extra recoil? I have an extra Leupold that I put on my .22 that I could swamp to my ML

[96trigger]

Your inlines are alot like single shot rifles, 200 yards is doable if you have the right scope and are using the right charge and bullets. If you have the ching, I would go with the T/C, but you are paying a little bit for the name. The Remington Genesis was basically a Traditions. I like the feel of that gun. I don't hink you can go wrong with a CVA, Traditions, or Thompson, however, I would make sure that everything on the inline is enclosed, primer included. I see some of the cheaper ones have firing parts that are open to the elements. You want everything to stay dry. I think a good muzzy is probably going to start at around $200 and go up from there. You might find some nice ones after the season for less, but know what you are buying.

I don't know much about the barrel exchange on the T/C. If it were me, I'd buy a rifle for hunting coyotes, and ML for Ml hunting, you may regret buying a two in one. Also, the ML will be a single shot, not sure you want that for yotes.

As for scopes, there is some recoil with the ML, but not as much as a 12 gauge shotgun. I would think the leopold would be fine, but you didn't give me whole lot of details on the scope. Worst case scenario, the Leupold breaks and you send it in, should be lifetime warrenty on those I believe. However, using a scope during the ML season is illegal unless you have a permit for it.

[fishuhalik]

However, using a scope during the ML season is illegal unless you have a permit for it.

Really? I had no idea!! What do you recommend for sights then? Are the open sights that come with the gun good enough or should I upgrade to something? I'd like to keep everything under about $400, equipment included if possible.

I don't remember the model of the scope, I just remember I paid $500 for it about 8 years ago, it was on a 30-30 that I sold when I got my 25-06. It's a 4-10x. Figured I'd put it on a varmint gun when I finally have the cash to put towards a gun that I won't use too often. That day still hasn't come....

[96trigger]

The gun usually comes with fiber optic sights, they are pretty good. Thats why 100 yards is about my max. I feel that after that, my front sight covers up too much of the deer to make an ethical shot, but others will definitely disagree. My shots around here are all less than 100 yards. The scope should work good, you can qet quick detach scope mounts, then you can pop it on if you want to use it during firearm, and take it off for ML season. Lots of people do that.

[fishuhalik]

I'll probably stick w/ the 06 for rifle season, it's nice to have a back-up shot or two sometimes!

It's gonna take some practice getting use to open sights. I don't think I've ever shot a gun with open sights farther than maybe 50 yards, and that was just a .22. Awe darn, looks like I'll have to go to the range and do a bunch of shooting.

[bassNspear]

Fish,

I have a TC, CVA and a Tradition! I bought the CVA first to make sure that i wanted to get into and like it. Shot that fora year, and then got the Tradition. LOVED IT, but ran into a deal on a TC that i couldnt let go. So i bought that and shoot that now, and let my buddy shoot my Tradition!

If you dont want to spend big bucks, get a CVA or tradtion!

[flipper]

As far as sights go, A good peep sight can add 20 to 30 yards to your effective range. Most muzzleloaders are much more accurate than I can shoot them with open sights. Practice as much as you can before season and get a load worked up that is accurate in your gun. I think some of the online forums are better than any books I know of.

[nate larson]

Hey fishuhalik,

I am in the same boat as you. I wanna get started but don't know a darn thing about it! I probably won't have enough time to make a go of it this year but want to for next year. Maybe I can find a deal on a gun after the season is done. I will be following this thread, thanks for posting it! I figure it would be a great hobby to bridge the gap between duck hunting and ice fishing.

[lakevet]

Pressure is less but growing. Best spots are where deer concentrate on food sources, which also concentrates the 70,000 some and growing muzzy hunters. Give any muzzy hunter you find in the woods much more space than usual as deer are very sensitive to hunting pressure at that time of year. Also, just like you, they are out there to enjoy a hunt without running into other hunters/competing for spots. If you hunt public land, there may already be someone muzzy hunting those areas. Hopefully you will be the only one, but be prepared and be nice if you are not. Lots of good info out there with a little research. Above all be safe as muzzy hunting does require a little more attention to detail with your weapon. We found that we learned the most by getting out there and scouting in season. Be adaptable, and persistent. First few seasons will be learning seasons. Have fun!

lakevet

[TrophyEyes]

Remember to ask farmers if you can hunt their land. Many have already shot their deer and consider them pests. Many don't mind some additional deer removed from their property. If you don't have a problem shooting does, then offer to shoot does only. If you get those private food sources during ML, you can hit the jackpot.

[Pooh]

i bought a CVA wolf (break action) kit and really like it. it comes with everything (including cleanging supplies) but the powder and primers. Fleet farm has them on sale right now for $180 The original sights on them are plasitic, and i switched them almost immediatly. I also have a CVA hunterbolt (bolt action) that i got used, another good gun. I would buy another CVA anyday. personally i like the ease of cleaning and loading the break action type gun, but i like the way the hunterbolt shoot over the wolf.

ive only been doing this a few years and really like it. I shoot 100 grains of triple 7 and a 245 grain powerbelt out of the wolf, and 100 grain pyrodex and the 245 powerbelt out of the hunterbolt. I did have some problems with triple 7 primers when is was really cold. I have went to federal ML primers and havent had any problems with them yet.

whatever you do keep it clean!! try to clean it soon after shooting. black powder and black powder substitutes like triple 7 and pyrodex are very corosive. try not to let the gun get warm-cold-warm-cold. the gun inside and out will get condensation on it, and it can make a delay in the charge going off.