TC Northwest Explorer help...

[Odell]

I'm new to blackpowder, only tried it because i wanted to hunt late in 382 and maybe hunt snow for the first time. I'm usually hunting archery and swatting bees off me.

I got my wish, 20 degrees and 6 inches of fresh snow but i had a heck of a time getting consistent accuracy.

Finally was shooting ok at 50 yards and after two days at the range had enough and decided 50 yards was my limit, not much different than archery.  Well, I missed 3 does under 50 yards, then went to re-sight...

three feet to the right and two feet high on my first shot, 2 feet left and 2 feet high on my second at 50 yards???

Switched to a heavier bullet and got to 8 inches right. Decided to try one more time at filling my doe tag. Compensated for aim and killed a decent doe. As I was dragging her out, a pig of a buck came in on a rope...hang fire at 35 yards.

I had multiple hang fires while sighting as well. There is just no point to hunting with a weapon that can't hit where you aim so I went home.  I need some advice on the best load for this gun.

I was shooting TC maxi-balls, 370 grain with 100 grains of 777 in the preformed pellets.

I got better accuracy with the power belt but still not enough.

I am going to head back to the range and ditch the pellets and try 90 grains of FF.

I would love any advice on how to make it go boom every time and how to get it accurate to 100 yards.  Thanks!

[kerrdog]

I know your post is kinda old, but I figured I'd respond anyway, since I have a NW explorer and love it!    I see that you already decided to try powder instead of pellets; it's not designed for pellets since it only fires #11 caps.

My accuracy at 50 yards with mine is good; 2-3 inch groups.  Yes, I know it's not a "tack driver."  At 100 yards it's way more "hit and miss."  Sometimes I hit the bullseye, and sometimes I miss the target completely!  I think that has more to do with the open sights, and my shooting, than the rifle itself.  I'm going to add a scope to see cut down on user error and see how the rifle shoots at distance. But I'm confident that I'll get 4-6 inch groups with a scope; all within the color of the target at 100 yards.

I'm shooting 290 grain Maxi-Balls with 100 grains of Pyrodex.  I've had OK luck with power belts, but decided to use the ammo that the gun was designed for.  They fit a little more snug when loading and the rifling has very shallow lands and grooves.

You have to swab the bore between shots!  I don't care what anyone says, you have to do it or the thing will shoot like crap! You'll feel it grind as you force the bullet down the filthy barrel.   Since your first shot on a hunt is likely your only one you'll get, it will be with a clean barrel!  So when I'm at the range I clean the barrel between shots.  Usually I'll run three patches - the last one with bore butter.

It's reliability is excellent, if you've figured out all the things that make it mis-fire, and there's a few things that will.  A sticky firing pin will really screw you up!  After a couple shots you have to put a drop of oil on the pin assembly and plunge it back and forth to make sure it's sliding smooth.  It's "inline" with the powder blast, and get's gummed up after 2-3 shots; not a problem when hunting.  Also, the firing pin assembly tends to get loose, not letting the pin go all the way in.  When that happens, the cap will dent and not explode, so you really have to watch that pin and makes sure the assembly is tightened all the way, and it's sliding smooth.  And make sure the cap is set tight onto the nipple.

If you pull the trigger and the cap does not go off, pull the hammer back and fire again!!  It will almost always go off the second time.

Any water going down the barrel while hunting will result in a mis-fire.  You have to put one of those little "barrel condoms" on the end.  Even if walking through wet brush on a dry day will wet that powder.

Even with these problems, I prefer my NW explorer to other designs, because the layout give you control over the reliability.  You can look through the breech plug to make sure there's a clear path from the cap to the powder before loading. You can't do that with a side-lock.  You have access to the pin to make sure it's sliding free.  If you do this, it's guaranteed to fire on your first and second shot.

[bare.hunter]

I would look at the box of powder if it is 777 then it is for
209 primers so if you are using #11 or musket caps you will
have some hangfires loose 777 is good but not pellet that is a start.
The uneven burn might cause you accuracy problems.

[bobcat]

You have to swab the bore between shots!  I don't care what anyone says, you have to do it or the thing will shoot like crap! You'll feel it grind as you force the bullet down the filthy barrel.   Since your first shot on a hunt is likely your only one you'll get, it will be with a clean barrel!  So when I'm at the range I clean the barrel between shots.  Usually I'll run three patches - the last one with bore butter.

Next time you might try not using the bore butter. All that's going to do is cause the bore to get dirtier sooner, and it won't help your accuracy any.

[whitetailslyr]

Hey fellas, I also have the NW Explorer and love it. People say you cant shoot a sabot out of it, not true. I found that a 250 grain hornady sst with 100 gr pyrodex rs will shoot 1.5 inch at 100 yards. I haven't tried it past 100 yet. I shot some 320 maxi-balls also, couldn't get those to group real well. I would say try the hornady for sure, i was surprised how well they shot. Has anyone switched out the sights on their NW Explorer? The stock ones are kinda bulky for my taste.

[jackelope]

I shot groups like this with 100 grains of loose 777 and the 295 grain(I think) green aerotip powerbelts out of my NW Explorer. 100 yards. I could probably have tightened this up some by shooting off of a bench too but I was pretty solid.

[D-Rock425]

Good topic for me I just won one of these at thr RMEF banquet last night.  I have no muzzleloader experience guess ill be doing some research. If anyone has some good load ino for me shoot me a pm.

[400out]

did you put in for a multi season permit this year 

[D-Rock425]

yes i did first year I I've ever put in and then i win a muzzleloader i think its a clear sign of things to come in the future.

[Chinook73]

I switched the sights on mine, Truglo.  Hornady sst 300gn. sabots, 100gns. Pyrodex pellets, #11 CCI mag. primer.  Less than a 2" at 50 and less than 4" at 100.  Keep the firing pin clean, it will go bang every time.  Very happy with this rifle's performance and price.

[whitetailslyr]

Hey Chinook, do you remember where you got the new sights? I cant find any for the NW Explorer. Do you know if they are compatible with the the omega?

[Chinook73]

I picked up a set at Sunbirds in Chehalis.  I think that they were around 30 bucks or so.  I do remember that the Truglo package only said that they fit T/C inlines, Traditions, and Knight.  No mention at all about the NW Explorer on the Truglo package.  They screwed on just fine and improved my accuracy.  A lot easier for me to acquire the target with the fiber optic sights.

[Gus]

I know this is a very old thread, but just in case you, or someone else, is trying to find a good load for this gun. Went and shot the NW Explorer this weekend one last time before season.

100 grains of loose FFG 777
295 gr. Powerbelt Aero Tips

Here's my 3 shot group at 110 yards. License case is 4" x 2.5" for scale.  Pretty happy with it.