muzzle loader beginner questions

[RonZych]

I'm going to start muzzle loading this winter so I thought I better get going now. Cabelas has a sale on. This is the one I'm thinking of buying.

Winchester APEX Magnum 209 Rifle with Starter Kit - Blue/Black

Additional Info

• Read Review

• Read Buyer's Guide

Winchester combined their new quick-loading easy-cleaning Swing-Action design with a hot 209 ignition system for the utmost in convenience and reliability. And this rifle comes with a starter kit so you can get started shooting immediately. Swing down the trigger assembly and breech block using a forward motion on the trigger-guard lever - this exposes the primer port for convenient loading and eliminates the need for disassembly of the action when cleaning. When the lever is closed, your breech and primer are completely sealed from moisture and debris. The 28" MonoBlock fluted barrel ensures complete powder burn for maximum velocity, and has a 1-in-28" twist for consistency with modern projectiles. It has DuraBright fiber-optic sights, along with a bullet-guiding muzzle for ease of loading. This rifle has a black composite stock and a blued barrel, along with a ventilated recoil pad and aluminum ramrod.

The starter kit includes a 20-pack of Cabela's sabots, powder flask, bullet starter, powder measure, straight-line capper, 8-ounce solvent, and a parts cleaning basket.

Overall Length: 44".

Weight: 8.25 pounds.

I'ts selling fo $209.00 with the starter kit and 179.00 without.

Anyone have any knowledge about this gun?

Any other information about buying a gun,using a muzzle loader or hunting information would be appreciated. A seminar about it would be even better.

Thanks

Ron

[randallt]

I shoot occasionally but am not familiar with that gun. I did send you an e-mail with another site for you to check out. I am not sure if I can/should post another site on here so I sent it to your e-mail.

[RonZych]

Ok,thanks.

Ron

[Ufatz]

Ya know what I think would be neat Ron?...get a true old fashioned muzzle loader and learn to load and shoot it. No litium powered sights, no dropping breech blocks, no lazer firing pins.....just an old fashioned REAL percussion lock rifle, just like your great granpa used. Wouldn't that be MORE interesting and more fun? Or even better....a true flint lock. How about that for authentic and fun!

Think about it.

[PerchJerker]

Assuming you're shooting pellets vs. loose powder, skip the starting kit and just buy the pieces that you need.

I have (or had) a great book for beginning muzzleloading, written by Bryce Towsley for the North American Hunting Club. If I can round it up I'll let you know, it's really a good book and will give you all the info you need to get started, and more.

Personally I like Knight rifles. I shoot pyrodex pellets, sabots, and 209 primers in discs and I think it's plenty interesting and fun - that's more important to me than being a tradional ML shooter.

[jerkin'm]

I bought that same gun from Cabela's...looks like a good gun for the money. Haven't shot it yet though...Maybe I should have fashioned a bow from a willow and made the string from some hemp, chiseled the broadhead from a rock, carved the arrow from some hickory...Or just chased the deer over a big steep cliff...Any weapon can be a challenge and fun..I don't think we need an excuse to use any weapon that we choose as long as it's within the law. Plenty of preaching out there already, I think that's kind of a cheap shot UFatz....especially to someone new to a sport..

[Ufatz]

Cheap shot my frosty powderhorn!!! I was simply saying if you really want to get into muzzle loading why not do it the authentic way rather than using all sorts of modern short cuts. There is not much rustic charm involved in most of the muzzle loading devices on the market today...they are one step away from a breech block cartridge firearm. I truly don't care what you use but this young fella was starting out on something new and I thought he might enjoy the historical aspects of real muzzle loading firearms. Ain't nuttin like a sweet little .32 cal squirrel rifle thats 150 years old and all original. So put THAT in your corncob pipe and smoke it. HA!

[jerkin'm]

Good stuff Fatz...as usual...I too am just starting out and am familiar with the old style guns...I Prefer the new more modern style. I would be willing to meet you at the range for some practice with your 150 year old squirrel shooter though...as long as you ride your horse....

[RonZych]

Great Grandpa? I think more like great,great,grandpa. Young feller? I'm 45! Which to some might be considered a young feller I guess. Some funny posts!! Anyhow the main reason for going into muzzle loading is the amount of people in the woods during regular centerfire season. Traditional might be fun, maybe dressing up in the traditional garb, but for now I want to start out with an inline with a 209 ignition. I have a bow but it isn't the same hunting with short sleeve shirts ( too warm). Thanks for some of the helpful inputs. Still haven't quite decided if thats a good gun to get or not. I keep finding mixed reviews.

PerchJerker

I won't get the starter kit(Ty). Which Knight do you shoot?

Ron

[PerchJerker]

I have an MK-85, also called a Predator. It's a model that I think they discontinued a few years ago, about the time the bolt action disc rifle got popular. MK-85 is an in-line but you pull the bolt back, there's no firing pin and no bolt action.