Inline Muzzleloader opinions?

[Whitelightning]

Bearhunter,
In my opinion the best muzzle loaders made came from White rifles, especially if you like shooting Heavy conicals. They are the easiest loading hands down and IMO the most accurate. I would reccommend the Super 91 or Model 98 as they are sleek well balanced and easy to clean. Doc the inventor of the White has a couple NEW OLD Stock Super 91's on his site. You can look at the rifles there and you can also give him a call and talk to him about Muzzle loading in general. You wont find anyone with more insight into Black Powder.      www.whitemuzzleloading.com  His Phone number is there also.

If you want to hold one in person let me know.

[lokidog]

Check out underhammer muzzleloaders search blue grouse and underhammer.  The guy builds them in the Bremerton area.  Weathergirl and I each have one and they are nice guns and legal here in WA and in states where in-lines are not, like CO is or was, haven't checked it lately.  I think he uses white mountain barrels.

[Bearhunter]

So I ended up buying a Thompson/Center Northwest Explorer last night.  Its Camo on Stainless with a 28" barrell 1in48twist, will shoot up to 120grains of powder.  Does anybody have experience with this gun, were should I start with a load.  Was thinking the new Hornady bullets which are half the price of the Barnes but I was told the Barnes are really accurate bullets.  Do you guys think 250grain bullets are heavy enough for a thick hided bull elk, or would I be better off with the 300grain's? 

[bobcat]

250's are really light. I prefer at least 350 grains. In a Barnes you can afford to go a little lighter since they are 100% copper and won't come apart.

[whacker1]

With a 1 in 48 twist these guns are designed for conicals - heavy ones.  I would try the heaviest saboted bullet out there and some heavy conicals to see which shoots best.

Many of the knights, T/C, and Remington inlines were either 1 in 24, 1 in 28 or something similar for twist, so it was much tighter and would spin the lighter projectiles.

I am not knocking your new one, just suggesting you look to the heavy conicals as an outlet.  My client had good luck with the maxi-balls at 400+grains. (can't remember the exact number)  He is still testing it though.  It has only been shot a few times.

[bobcat]

Actually, with the slow 1 in 48 twist, I believe it will work better with relatively light conical bullets. Lighter means shorter and that's what should work best with a slow twist. The faster twist barrels like 1 in 28 should shoot the longer bullets better. So if you have a choice between two bullets that are the same except one is 350 grains and one is 300, try the 300 grain bullet first.

I like the Hornady FPB bullet. I haven't tried it but I will when I get a chance.

http://www.hornady.com/store/50-Cal

[Curly]

I'd try TC Maxi-Ball in 370 gr if I had that rifle.  Maxi-Balls always shot well in my 1:48 twist 54 cal renegade, so I bet the 50 cal Maxi-ball would shoot well in that rifle.

The maxi-ball doesn't have a lot of bearing surface because of the grooves, thus the long bullet probably acts more like a shorter bullet bearing surface wise.........if that makes any sense.

[Whitelightning]

The 1:48 twist will accommodate the the lighter bullet. I would definitely use the heaviest bullet that groups well for Elk. I personally love heavy conicals, they have never let me down and produce DRT on the critters.

Good luck and have fun, most of all be safe!!

[carpsniperg2]

yep good luck get a few types of bullets and see what shoots best.

[Moose Eyes]

T/C used to include suggested loads in their manuals so be sure to read through it before you shoot it.

[h2ofowlr]

Buy a pack of each and see which one your rifle likes best.  Besides, that thing doesn't have a scope, so you will have to revert back to your Red Ryder BB gun days to shoot it with those irons.