looking forward to muzzleloader deer 2017

[elkboy]

Just got my 2017 order of muzzy bullets (Knight Bloodlines) in the mail today, along with some odds and ends like breechplug grease.  Already dreaming of fat wheatfield bucks (or does!) cautiously poking their noses out of the pines and hawthorns as the afternoon turns to evening...

Any of you already thinking about Sept 30?  Cheers, EB.

[kellama2001]

  I'm super excited too! Just got a new peep sight for my muzzy I need to get installed and start sighting in. Only 74 days to go!

[JL]

Heck yeah Elkboy and Kellama. I've spent every free minute possible in my target area this year since April. Endlessly scouting, sighting in, and dialing in that new peep too while comparing sabots and loads. Snow covered peaks, working on my calling, dropped some cams, dealing w/ vehicle break downs in no man's land and being able to get out somehow, drinking that non-bottled water source stuff, hiking until my legs are cramped up completely but I'm surrounded by peaks I need to traverse, watches getting thrown off by magnetic forces, sunburns, no sign at all etc... Love it all. The best thing for me is having no service, introducing people to my favorite part of this amazing state, the rare but very similarly minded people you meet up there, self-induced relative self-sufficiency, and the self-reflection gained or maybe even earned.

[kellama2001]

Very cool JL! That sounds like heaven on earth that only a small handful of people truly enjoy. Hope all that hard work pays off for you this fall!

[elkboy]

Awesome, JL and Kellama! That's the spirit of year-round hunting!

I have been working on right-handed shots (I am a lefty). When I am in the tree stand, I want to be able to capitalize on the shots when the deer come in at close range to my left. I am confident out to fifty yards at this point shooting my muzzy righty (as opposed to 130-140 yards lefty).

And then there's the endless scouting!

Good luck to all of you! It will be here before we know it...

[carpsniperg2]

  Sadly I am stuck waiting for nov. Since they robbed us of our early muzzle hunt a couple years back.

[elkboy]

Bummer, Carpsniper! What unit were you hunting?  I have to modify my early season plans a bit this year, also. The landowner where I normally hunt early season wants to rest the herd a little after two years of bluetongue and a hard winter.

[carpsniperg2]

Here it's 382. Use to have the early season before modern and they hacked that and added more to the archery season if I remember right. Sucks! We use to have a lot of fun during that hunt, not many deer around and the nov hunt is better. However we did kill a couple bucks from time to time.

[Sabotloader]

Just got my 2017 order of muzzy bullets (Knight Bloodlines) in the mail today, along with some odds and ends like breechplug grease.  Already dreaming of fat wheatfield bucks (or does!) cautiously poking their noses out of the pines and hawthorns as the afternoon turns to evening...

Any of you already thinking about Sept 30?  Cheers, EB.

Even though right now the dang weather is so darn hot and I am unable to shoot because of work - I am ready!!!!

I got good news from the State last week I got both controlled hunts (deer) that I applied for.  I could actually start Aug 10 - can not even imagine that... I like the other end of the time period better 12/14!!!

Which Bloodline did you get?

Have you seen the new 'all copper' bullets that Lehigh Dave is making?  He is now making a .451x230 grain bullet that is a real thing. I shot it from an old 1-48 twist sidelock a while back - awesome!!!





You need to stop by sometime take a look and try a few!!!

[elkboy]

Those look great, Sabotloader!  I really do need to come out and visit with you and shoot some smokepole.  Last year's tune-up session was really valuable, not to mention really fun.

I got the same Bloodlines (.458 x 300 grain in a .50 cal red sabot) that I normally shoot.  I am always willing to try something different, though!


 

[Sabotloader]

Those look great, Sabotloader!  I really do need to come out and visit with you and shoot some smokepole.  Last year's tune-up session was really valuable, not to mention really fun.

I got the same Bloodlines (.458 x 300 grain in a .50 cal red sabot) that I normally shoot.  I am always willing to try something different, though!

Look at this ballistic sheet I ran through the computer... but also note this was with 120 grains of BH so the velocity is going to be 50-75 fps per second faster than we would shoot with a grain for grain load of T7-3f.

These are excellent venison bullets but I would certainly stick with the 458x300 for elk!

[elkboy]

Well, since I am chasing elk with a bow this year, I might be willing to switch to more of a deer-sized bullet for 2017 muzzy. We might have to see how the Lehigh 230s do out of the Mountaineer!  Seems like a very nice trajectory- easily a center hold beyond my maximum distance on deer.

[elkboy]

And congratulations on the controlled hunt news... You should have a very nice autumn!