entry level muzzleloader

[JimmyHoffa]

What's everyone's preferred sight? Factory? Peep? I have a peep sight on my 30-30 that I really like, so leaning that way.

Sort of depends on range/set up.  The little thing I'm using right now is just the three fire dots, and that works well at 50 yds...but beyond that I lose a lot of target sight picture.  I've used trad muzzy with peeps, and those were much better for longer shots.  Am planning to peep my next muzzy, especially for late season.

[usmc74]

I use Sabotloader's set up.

Had it on both mine & my son's Knights.  Buddy also put it on his.

I take the rear insert out during dark/dim visibility in the woods.

Both my muzzy elk were shot without the rear insert.

68 yards and 100 yards

[reelamin]

I have been Modern for decades and Archery for about 18yrs.  I started my muzzle loader trip just last year and hunted (finally drew multi season) this year.  I learned a lot in the short time.   One of my hunting buddies did the same and we worked on our guns/loads at the same time.  Buddy is a great shooter but his knowledge of ignition and firearm mechanics is not super high.  He is better than the average but he is just not interested in the "GEEK' world of testing, trying, tweaking I am.  He usually waits for me to try it then follows suit.  I have what some would say is extensive experience (all ways not just hunting) with center fire rifle and handgun with just about every sighting system known up to what some call very long distances.   Shot my spike last week at 529yds at a 31 degree decline one and done, and that is not what I call long range. 

To know your shooting skills with open sights is impossible, but I will go with what "most" people I  have been around are capable of.  I would say you are capable of a 100yd shot and 150yd all things being ideal.  Solid rest, non moving animal, -3" accuracy, high quality bullet, and regular (3-4 days with 10-20 rounds) practice before you go.

I do not advocate anyone buy a cheap/inexpensive/beginner item of anything.  I would suggest you purchase a least a mid level rifle.  I started with a Big Horn, and ended up bedding the action, floating barrel etc. to get it to shoot better and more consistently.  With a scope it would hold 3 right at abou 1.5"/100yds with 150gr charge and right about 3" with open sights.  The major limiter was the fiber optic for precision shooting.   Buddy went with a inexpensive stainless Traditions.   His would not open with any charge over 100gr of powder.  It would lock up and be almost impossible to break open past 120gr.    Accuracy wise his was actually better at its max load, but not if I down loaded mine to 100gr charge. 

Put a rear peep sight on if at all possible.  I went with a Williams one size larger aperature and the factory front sight.   I IMMEDIATELY FOUND THE FACTORY FIBER OPTIC FRONT SIGHTS SUUUUUUUCK FOR ANYTHING PAST 175YDS when sighting on a actual animal!!!   Tighten them down....we both had the aperture loosen while shooting.   My base was solid but his loosened.  I will be replacing my front sight with a standard black post or Globe style sight.  I was fully confident in a 300yd perfect conditions shot before I put my sights on the first elk.   Immediately it was a 200yd maximum shot for no other reason than the crappy fiber optic front sight.   Buddy experienced the same thing.

I had no issues igniting the different Black Substitutes with either a mag cap or 209.  I did have issues with the BH209 with a cap, but no issue if I duplex loaded it with 5gr of T7.   I use BH209 for hunting because ease of loading and fractionally higher velocity...fractionally!!   I use T7 for my range and practice because I can swab the barrel between shots.  No issues with BH209 and 209 primers in my gun, but my buddy was having issues with his even with 209 primers.   It cost him his first muzzle spike this year at 95 yards.  He did not tell me but he was having misfires and hang fires fairly regular.   We had a few while testing together, but we just chalked it up to the "muzzle loader thing".  In reality...I believe they are totally avoidable with proper preparation and equipment.   He had a misfire and then a hang fire and that as all she wrote on his elk.  We test fired it later at camp and it did the same thing.  We drilled out the flash hole at camp....test fired some....problem solved!!!  Another example of rifle cost was we drilled with it by hand in a "stainless" breach plug....pretty low grade stainless to drill as easy as it did.   

We will both be upgrading rifles this year and my nephews say they want to try it.  Right now leaning very towards for a CVA Accura....would get the LR version if it had iron sights.   I am very anti Remington Company now...so that one is eliminated because others of equal quality are available.  Will also be putting a muzzle brake on it.  My gun guy thinks we can make it work....so my Bighorn will be the test bed.  I hate the plastic Knight cap...just inserting a primer seems super nice.

So I would go mid grade rifle, 209 primer, T7 Powder, quality Bullet in the 300gr or heavier range, peep sight, and practice as much as you can.   Hope you get one and good luck to you.  I'm sure I missed some stuff but I have enough coffee and elk camp is still in the PU and trailer I need to get taken care of. 

[Sabotloader]

Reelamin, really a very good read. I enjoyed it very much...

Wish it wasn't so far to your place - it would be fun to drive over and do some shooting with you or vice-versa...

Don't forget that sale on DISC Extremes and you can get the bare 209 primer option


mike

[cjhaan]

It is easy to learn how to shoot muzzleloader, just watch a youtube video. The most difficult part for me was finding a bullet powder combo that works well in your gun. I have a cva wolf and powerbelt bullets shoot terrible through it. I went from being happy to hit the target at 75yds with powerbelts(using multiple different kinds) to a 3 inch groups with sabboted T/c shockwaves at 100yds. Also clean the gun between shots for best accuracy.

[Angry Perch]

Thanks all for the input. I hope to be out shooting this weekend.

[Angry Perch]

Well, the decision to buy a muzzleloader paid off. 3 minutes left of legal shooting light on opening day.

[lamrith]

Congrats!!

Let us know what you went thru and prep you did to be hunt ready.  What powders/bullets you went with, etc.   You did not have much time between getting it and using it!

[Angry Perch]

Congrats!!

Let us know what you went thru and prep you did to be hunt ready.  What powders/bullets you went with, etc.   You did not have much time between getting it and using it!

I got a complete ready to shoot kit from muzzle-loaders.com. They recommended 270 grain Power Belt Platinum bullets, and 2 White Hot pellets. The learning curve is very short. Besides the loading and cleaning procedures, shooting a rifle is shooting a rifle. I had it sighted in with about 15 shots, so not much more than I would with a scoped rifle. I did miss twice, but that's due to my fat butt huffing and puffing after racing 60 yards up a really steep clear cut, laying on a side hill, and having a half ass rest. Having my buddy standing 75 yards away laughing out loud didn't help either! Note to self; Practice shooting all my rifles from odd positions. Anyhow, caught up to him again, and connected with a perfect double lung shot at about 25 yards. The exit hole was barely bigger than the entrance, so not too sure about bullet performance, but dead is dead I suppose. Marinated heart on the grill tonight!

I highly recommend Muzzle-loaders.com. They spent a ton of time with me on email and phone, and were more than happy to provide all the assistance I needed.

[JakeLand]

  good job !!!

[huntnfmly]

Congrats