Legal muzzleloader for WA

[PNWCOONASS]

Guys,
I have been thinking about buying a muzzle loader for a couple of years now.  but this year I'm seriously considering it.  I will not get any chance to scout prior to opening of rifle season.  However, I would have plenty of time to scout before the late season of muzzle loader. 

For those of you who don't know I'm deployed right now, so I'm unable to run down to cabela's or the local sportsman warehouse to check out the guns...

I was hoping you guys could suggest a couple of guns and models to look at, that I could read about.  I would use this for deer and elk. 

Thanks Pete

[Stape]

Lots of choices out there, I am by no means a muzzleloader expert, but your title says "legal muzzle loader for wa"  It has to have an exposed nipple, and can't use a 209 primer.  You can use an in-line, but can't be one on the ones that lock up and close over the nipple.  No optics either for muzzle loading season.  Of, no jacketed projectiles either, just solid lead, not sure about lead sabots but I think they are OK.  Someone will chime in that knows allot more than me I am sure.  As for the rifles themselves, I have a Winchester X 150 and really like it, shoots just a hair outside of 1in with 80gr triple seven and a 250gr Lee REAL bullet.  My buddy hunts with a CVA and it's nice and shoots well also, but not as good as the x 150 when I shot them side by side, but it wasn't a huge difference, but further load deveopment could be usefull.

[Sagedawg]

Just my .02, but I would pick a Knight Bighorn, come with all 3 ingnition options, green mountain barrel, and snythetic stock, which is available in camo. I shoot this same gun and its very accurate.In the past I had CVA, Traditions and TC. Out of them all I like the Knight above all else. Hope this helps you out...and Thank you for your service! Stay Safe!


Sage

[Curly]

Thanks for your service.

When you get back and go to Sportsmans or Cabelas, you will see a ton of rifles that will not be legal in WA.

Stape got it right and Sagedawg mentioned one rifle that I see people brag about all the time.......it must be a good one; I've never heard a bad thing about the Bighorn.

You can use sabots in this state.  My brother and I both killed Cow Elk last year with 50 cal ML's and saboted (all lead) bullets. My brother shoots a TC Black Diamond (I don't think they make them anymore) and I shoot an Austin & Halleck (they aren't made anymore).....There seems to be a common theme: Inlines that are legal in WA don't stay on the market for long.  I'd get the Knight Bighorn if I were to get a new one.

If you stick with 50 cal and 1:28 twist barrels you will have a better selection of bullets than if you go with a 54 cal or a different twist barrel.

[DBake]

I was sitting in on a Hunt Education class this pass weekend and listen to a volunteer/teacher talk about muzzleloaders and "HE" said that the copper bullets are legal if they are completely copper. I know the law is very confusing, I was just shocked to hear that when I interpet the law as lead only for muzzles.

[Sagedawg]

Dbake, Im not saying the guy dont know what he talking about, but I will say copper is not lead. Just think these guys are the ones passing information on to our kids.....I like the idea of them helping, but if the have the wrong info, keep it to theirselves.Maybe he should re read the regs.


Sage

[DBake]

I agree, it was not the time or the place to argue about the regs especially since he is supported my the WDFW.

[boneaddict]

I am just weird I guess.  I thought alot of the fun of muzzeloading was the challenge, so the old Hawken rifle out of Cabelas is just fine for me. Pretty darn cheap too. Course I am the freak hunting with a longbow during modern too, so I can understand if you guys think I am nuts.  Whats the big push for all the technology?  scopes, sabots, in-line, synthetic stocks, 209 primers, pellets.    I'm not anti any of that stuff if it toots your horn, but why call it traditional or primitive.

[KillBilly]

Bone you are right on... It is how and with you want to do it that matters as long as it is within the guidelines set forth. I can't imagine anyone thinking you are crazy for enjoying the sport the way you chose. keep right on and lots of luck to ya.

[KillBilly]

You can contact Mik Mikitik at WDFW 360-902-8408 and he will clarify for you. In the meantime, here is the WAC
WAC 232-12-051 Washington State Register filings since 2003
Muzzleloading firearms.
 
  (1) It is unlawful to carry or possess any firearm during muzzleloading seasons which does not meet the following specification for a muzzleloader. A muzzleloading firearm is loaded from the muzzle and uses black powder or a black powder substitute as recommended by the manufacturer for use in muzzleloading firearms. A muzzleloading firearm has a single or double barrel of at least 20 inches, rifled or smooth-bored. Ignition is to be wheel lock, matchlock, flintlock, or percussion using original style percussion caps that fit on the nipple and are exposed to the elements. Shot shell and 209 primers are not legal.

     (2) Sights must be open, peep or of other open sight design. Fiber optic sights are legal. Telescopic sights or sights containing glass are prohibited. It is unlawful to have any electrical device or equipment attached to a muzzleloading firearm while hunting. Except hunters with disabilities who meet the definition of being visually impaired in WAC 232-12-828 may receive a special use permit that would allow the use of scopes or other visual aids. A disabled hunter permit holder in possession of a special use permit that allows the use of a scope or visual aid may hunt game birds or game animals during muzzleloader seasons.

     (3) A muzzleloading firearm used for deer must fire a single, nonjacketed lead projectile of nominal 40 caliber or larger, except that buckshot size #1 or larger may be used in a smoothbore of 60 caliber or larger.

     (4) A muzzleloading firearm used for all other big game must fire a single, nonjacketed lead projectile of nominal 50 caliber or larger, or fire a single, nonjacketed lead projectile of at least 170 grains.

     (5) This section shall not apply to the carrying of a handgun designed to be charged with black powder only.

     (6) This section shall not apply to persons lawfully hunting game birds with a shotgun.

     (7) Only one barrel of a double barrel muzzleloader may be loaded with powder or bullet or capped at any one time while hunting in a muzzleloading season except in specified firearm restricted areas.

[Curly]

I am just weird I guess.  I thought alot of the fun of muzzeloading was the challenge, so the old Hawken rifle out of Cabelas is just fine for me. Pretty darn cheap too. Course I am the freak hunting with a longbow during modern too, so I can understand if you guys think I am nuts.  Whats the big push for all the technology?  scopes, sabots, in-line, synthetic stocks, 209 primers, pellets.   I'm not anti any of that stuff if it toots your horn, but why call it traditional or primitive.

I agree.  I think our ML requirements should be closer to what Oregon's laws re: ML are.  That said, I finally broke down last year and got an inline that is legal in WA instead of using my sidelock that I have for years.  Almost everyone else is using inlines and I figured I might as well if the law allows and most everyone else is too.

The inline has a better chance of igniting the powder.  I had a misfire with my old TC Renegade (sidelock) years ago on a cow elk broadside at 10 yards.  So, I figure I might as well use what most other guys are using out there.  I wouldn't mind if the law changed to only allow sidelocks though.

[jdb]

I have the knight bighorn and its an amazeingly accurate rifle I also have a t/c hawkin thats not even half as accurate but I have to agree with bone there is just something about the old side locks that trips my trigger JB

[boneaddict]

Slenk gets the award in this category.  He still has a flintlock I believe.  I've never even fired one before.  I think that is incredible.