Virgin Front Stuffer

[ctwiggs1]

Wow, that sounds dirty.

Just pulled the trigger on a Knight Bighorn.  I'm pretty excited to get out this year, especially since the area I hunt is now any deer/any elk!

Can't wait to see everyone's pictures this year!

any tips for the newb?

[Chinook73]

Get to know your weapon, lots of range time.  Keep your powder dry.

[Angus]

1st muzzy??? and just over a month till the muzzy season opens, your either a fast learner and/or have a good teacher. I got my 1st muzzeloader (Bighorn ) this past Xmas and have done alot of reading and shooting and I THINK I'm ready for the upcoming deer season (multi-season deer tag, archery is my 1st love), doing this 100% self-taught, same as I did with archery. With a teacher/mentor I might be able to be ready in 6 weeks but no way without, especially working 40-50 hours a week. Good luck.

[Duffer]

Do lots of research & reading!

You may hafta spend quite some time coming up with a bullet/load/lube combo that your particular ML likes.

Shoot, shoot, shoot!

Comfort, accuracy and ethics will dictate your max range. Don't push it. Think archery plus, not modern firearms.

Check your rules. Be legal. States vary widely in legality of: gun design, bullet design, primer and optics!

Understand the Bighorns' safeties. (and any ML in general)

Just cuz the Bighorn is 'good' to 150 grains does not mean that you should go there. Seems that most accuracy lays somewhere between 80 - 120 grains of powder, where less is more.

Most important: Have fun! (safely) 

[ctwiggs1]

I'll be spending quite a bit of time at the range - I appreciate that tip on the powder.  I'll try out different loads!

One thing I noticed in the manual was that they suggested you ram the barrel once between every shot to ensure that any hot powder is brought out.  Scary!

Anyone else going to be checking out 454?  I can't wait - I've successfully hunted archery, modern, and now I'm on to muzzie.

Thanks all!

Curtis

[Angus]

I've successfully hunted archery, modern, and now I'm on to muzzie.

Same here, as well as a couple deer with a .44 mag Super Blackhawk, would really like to add the muzzleloader to the list. 

[snowshoes22]

have speed loaders where you can get to them quickly in case of a needed follow up shot.

[ctwiggs1]

Took it out to the range yesterday and kept a 3" group at 50 yards.  I am going to clean it up real good and take it out again next week.  If I maintain that group I'm going to stretch it out to 100 yards.

So far so good - this is fun!

ctwiggs1

[jackmaster]

i wouldnt worry to much, first time shootn 3 in groups at 50 you will do just fine, your in the army so you know the right techniques for breathing and trigger squezze, well now you can use saboted slugs so your groups will get even better, some of the powder pellets are good as well, i use them and have zero complaints, i keep them in a litlle protector tube and they are right as the mail, after this weekend i should be home alot, i have a rifle range in the back yard from 100 to 175 yrds... if you need help or whatever let me know... i damn sure dont mind hangn out with soldiers being ex military myself... damn sure miss it..... the offer is open to ya thouigh 

[Kowsrule30]

Now we know you're not a virgin rear stuffer!!!!!       

[ctwiggs1]

 

[billythekidrock]

Took it out to the range yesterday and kept a 3" group at 50 yards.  I am going to clean it up real good and take it out again next week.  If I maintain that group I'm going to stretch it out to 100 yards.

So far so good - this is fun!

ctwiggs1

Are you using a rest? If so, try some different bullet/powder combinations. You shouild be able to knock that down to 1 inch groups or less at 50 yards.

[ctwiggs1]

LOL, I don't think it's the powder.  I think it's me.  I'm not using a rest, just my arms.

When I go back tomorrow I'll put it on some sandbags and see where we can get it.  I'd like to focus on dialing it in at 50 and then start stretching a few 100 yard shots out.