Muzzleloaders

[actionshooter]

 I have really seen this issue make some guys get really bent out of shape.
 I know a lot of guys who feel if it isn't traditional it doesn't belong in the field. At my local gun club there is a lot of prejudice on the muzzleloader range.

 I personally shoot muzzleloaders for the hunting and I'm most comfortable with a modern smokepole. I have been shooting a Knight Predator since they came out.
 What do you guys shoot?

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

Knight Big horn...
Selfishness, is what drives the arguments. I really have no advantage over the older smoke pole shooting wise. I use a peep sight that thay can put on there poles. I shoot the same powder, they can use the same primer. Flint lock is really the only one i think has a disadvantage when it is raining. I have shot all of them and i think that i shoot all equally as well. I like the ease of cleaning.

[Slenk]

Well some of you know my oppinion on muzzleloaders . From other posts.
I started hunting and shooting them in the 60s that 1960 . Before there was a special season .
I  build ( not from kits) and shoot Flintlock only . With open sights .  Real Blackpowder and  a .58 or .62 Roundball gets it done .
I tried an Inline one year and did kill a spike bull with it . Sold it and never went back to them . I just didn't like them . They have no advantage that I can see. Besides they are Uglier than s**t .
Slenk

[Shank]

I have 2 side locks and one in-line.  I mainly use the in-line for hunting, one of the side locks is too small for me, Santa got it for me when I was about 10, the other side lock is just a spare for friends to use.  I really can't say whats better I guess it's all opinion.  I've killed deer with both styles.  Both side locks are CVA the in-line is a Winchester (CVA)

[boneaddict]

I'm a front stuffer.  Mostly what perturbs me are these idiots on TV, so proud that they got their animal with a muzzeloader, and its a synthetic stock, shotgun primer, pyrodex powder, loaded with a sabot, and topped with the new Burris 3x9 scope with increments out to 400 yards.  I wouldn't dare put anyone down in the hunting field, but definatley don't think those should qualify for any sort of traditional hunt.  Thank God Washingotn does have some limits for it.  If you want to shoot that that is just fine, use it during the modern season.   I be tthey are fun to shoot, heck any gun is. 

[WDFW Hates ME!!!]

I hope they always keep it open sights. I do not care what else they do with the season. But i feel the open sights rule is what keeps it interesting. Put scopes on even the most traditional ML and you can pattern them.

[Sabotloader]

I'm a front stuffer.  Mostly what perturbs me are these idiots on TV, so proud that they got their animal with a muzzeloader, and its a synthetic stock, shotgun primer, pyrodex powder, loaded with a sabot, and topped with the new Burris 3x9 scope with increments out to 400 yards.  I wouldn't dare put anyone down in the hunting field, but definatley don't think those should qualify for any sort of traditional hunt.  Thank God Washingotn does have some limits for it.  If you want to shoot that that is just fine, use it during the modern season.   I be tthey are fun to shoot, heck any gun is.

Most ML hunts offered today are not listed or intended to be Traditional hunts. They are Management Hunts. Heck today it very difficult to find traditional rifles - they just not being made. At some point you might not even be able to shoot lead. Washington was very close to the lead ban 2 years ago.

[HUNTINCOUPLE]

I have 2 side locks and one in-line.  I mainly use the in-line for hunting, one of the side locks is too small for me, Santa got it for me when I was about 10, the other side lock is just a spare for friends to use.  I really can't say whats better I guess it's all opinion.  I've killed deer with both styles.  Both side locks are CVA the in-line is a Winchester (CVA)

You sure you have smoke poles? I think your talking like you know but you use high power .338 magnums and other center fire rifles during muzzleloader season.....

[kellama2001]

I shoot a modern inline CVA Optima V2 50 cal.  This is only my second year muzzle-loading, but I love it! I think the modern muzzy is a great gateway from modern rifle to muzzle-loading and I plan to work my way into the more traditional guns.  How cool would it be to have a successful hunt using a flintlock and round ball?  It's a goal I'm working towards...

[ghosthunter]

I have both In Line and side lock.
I pre fer the In Line. I like the side lock except for the Hawken butt plate.

[storyteller]

I shoot traditional only.  I have a TC hawken 50,  TC renegade 54, I think a TC new englander (no name on barrel except TC) , picked up a TC 54 new englander?? in Ellensberg , and I have one coming (checks in the mail) That is how I started, used to be more people involved in mountain man clubs, people too busy now.  There is a pretty good read on Everett Herald, http://www.heraldnet.com/article/20090109/NEWS03/701099861, from Jan 2009 over split between inline and traditional, and WDFW said at that time, the agency would be duty-bound to look at whether the seasons should be adjusted accordingly. And adjusted means shortened. And that's not what people are looking for," says Mik Mikitik, the state Wildlife Department's head of hunter education."Be careful what you wish for."

[storyteller]

It seems like so many people have problems with inlines, powder did not burn, primer did not go off, gun not compliant.    BP is real black powder, not a substitute, if you are having problems try the real thing.  Close to 30 years of shooting my TC's traditional, real bang, CCI , Remington, what ever cap, I have never had a misfire yet.     

[actionshooter]

wow, I started this thread in 2007, not much has changed

[huntnnw]

Ive never had a misfire in 10 years with pyrodex,triple 7 or BH209

[PyroBlack]

Misfires stopped the day I quit hunting with my sidelocks. All inlines now.

Posters WDFW Hates Me and Slenk,
Yes, sealed ignitions are an advantage to exposed hammers and nipples.
Yes, 209 primers are an advantage to #11 caps and musket caps.
Yes, breechplugs that can be removed, are an advantage to permanent ones in sidelocks.