Should I join the dark side???

[callonetta]

From state auction the wife got me an almost new Knight Bighorn stainless steel, thumbhole cammo stock in 50 cal. (the stock has a National Wild Turkey Federation brass stamp  ) came set up with a Williams peep sight, musket cap plug.
I have no idea how old the rifle is but I can tell it's barely used.
Came with loaders and other little nick-knacks and 2 packs (48) of Barnes 250gr. FB spit-fire T-EZ load.
If I ever decide to  use this thing it will be for Elk, I have been searching here for info and I can get my hands on T7 fffg powder, I would like to use at least 275gr. Bloodline bullets for elk.
Will I have a hard time loading those bullets??? should I stick to the Barnes???
Should I even try??? I love my rifles, this would be totally new for me.
If anyone wants to meet and show me the ropes either at Tacoma Sportsman's Club off Canyon Rd. or Evergreen Sportsman's Club off Littlerock Rd. lunch is on me.

[BOWHUNTER45]

I am sure the hardcore muzzy guys will help you 

[D-Rock425]

It is fun I've never shot an animal with one but they are a blast to shoot.

[kerrdog]

Those t-ez's load a little too easy in my Disk Extreme.  I save them for a second shot while hunting (but never used it yet).  There's tons of threads on here.  Look at the threads by Sabotloader.  He's the Knight Muzzleloader guru here.


Muzzleloading is addictive.  Maybe each shot is more of an event, since they must be loaded by hand each time.  But for me, it's just more fun. And while we always see other hunters on the roads where we go, I almost never see another hunter in the woods.

Sounds like you got a sweet rifle.  I'm a huge fan of peep sites, thumbhole stocks, and Knight rifles.  It'd lose the musket cap nipple and go for #11 mag caps.  (some will disagree) #11s are more waterproof and will set off the main charge just fine.

[Kuduman]

Callonetta:
Welcome to the dark side. I think you'll find that the deeper you get into muzzeloader hunting the more you'll like it. You have a great set up to start with. The key is finding the right bullet / load combination to get you consistent enough the have confidence in the field. I have several black powder rifles and each has its own load that they like to shoot. My disc extreme likes 100gr pyrodex select with the tmz bullets while my thompson center gives me tighter groups with 110gr. The key is to take some time and play around with different loads. I think the bullets that you have are fine and you'll be happy with the 777 powder that can be picked up at sportsmans warehouse. Once you find the perfect load you might be a perminate convert. The real benefit for me is the time that I spend in the field NOT competing with the masses of modern firearm hunters. I still rifle hunt but in other states where longer seasons don't crowd the woods with itchy fingered rifle hunters that only have a week to fill a tag.
Good luck

[D-Rock425]

I personal think rifles are the dark side.

[bobcat]

You might try to draw the multi-season elk permit. That way you could try the muzzleloader season without giving up your traditional rifle season. I have found that the muzzleloader elk season is just as crowded, if not more so, than the rifle season, depending of course on which unit you choose to hunt. The muzzleloader seasons biggest drawback is the lack of units open to hunt. Also you get less time to hunt, if you only hunt the early season- 9 days versus 12 days for modern rifle. Yes there is the late muzzleloader season but it's almost not worth hunting, in my opinion, unless you have access to some private property that holds elk.

[Jonathan_S]

I personal think rifles are the dark side.

  I think muzzleloading is the funnest season to hunt as far as lack of crowds, weather/time of year, and did I mention lack of crowds ?

[RG]

There are no elk during muzzleloader season. They don't come out of their tunnels till rifle season. 

[Heredoggydoggy]

I personal think rifles are the dark side.

  I think muzzleloading is the funnest season to hunt as far as lack of crowds, weather/time of year, and did I mention lack of crowds ?

   the dark side of Muzzle Loading is most seductive.  Once you go over to the Dark Side, dominate your life it will! 

[usmc74]

Mine likes 110gr T7, FFg, 300gr SST.  Group is way less than 3" at 200 yds.  I have the Williams peep sight and green fiber optic front

[Sabotloader]

callonetta

The Big Horn is an excellent place to start... I would switch out the musket nipple for a #11 nipple and use #11 Mag caps or RWS Dynimit Noble 1075+ if you can find them.  110 grain of T7-3f and 275 Bloodline with supplied sabot and you should be off to the races.... Pick up a box of Sierra .458-300 grain bullets and some Orange MMP 458x50 cal sabots - use them to sight in with and to shoot for fun.  They are a lot less money than shooting the Bloodlines for fun.