new to muzzleloading

[tony04]

my wife bought me a Traditions Tracker for christmas. i know i have to experiment with differant loads and such to see what the gun likes best for accuracy. how far could i expect to shoot? im assuming 100yrds max? i'm planning on shooting it alot this summer to see what its capable of. im debating about hunting elk and deer this year with it. anyway, if you guys could give me some pointers and tips i would appreciate it. thanks

[bobcat]

Yes, 100 yards is a good max range, mostly due to the open sights, at least for me. If you have better eyes and/or a better sight you could possibly extend that to 120 yards or so. For powder you might start out with Triple 7 as it is easier to clean up and less corrosive. Just remember it's "hotter" than other powders and you don't need to use as much. For me I will never use more than 100 grains of 2F Triple 7. What kind of caps is it set up for?

[tony04]

it came with 2 breach plugs, one for 209 and the other for #11? caps. thanks for the heads up on the triple 7. i wouldnt have known that. what might seem like common sense to you, is new to me..

[ElkTipper]

209 is not legal in Washington to hunt with. I would go with the #11, that is what I use. Welcome to the world of Muzzleloading. Many fun times ahead of you.

[tony04]

209 is not legal in Washington to hunt with. I would go with the #11, that is what I use. Welcome to the world of Muzzleloading. Many fun times ahead of you.

thats how i have it. i was told the 209s arent legal here

[tony04]

so what works best to seal off the end of the barrel? tape? also, what are some other tricks you all have with muzzleloaders? for rainy weather, speed loading, etc.

[fair-chase]

If I am going to leave my muzzy loaded for an extended period of time (more than 24hrs) or traveling and not wanting to unload the round that is in there. I put a vacuum plug over the nipple to keep the moisture out. The vacuum plug is the kind typically found on carburetors, can be had at any auto parts store for about 10 cents.

[DeerThug]

Depends  on a lot.  Elk i wont take a shot much over 75.  Last year I made a one shot kill on a deer at 166 yards and this year my son made a one shot kill at 147 with the same gun. 

Once you get it honed in load/lead.  Shoot at 25 yard incements to 200 to see what the gun and you can do.  Then stay under that limit.  The modern loads and guns are capable of a lot.  You would not question a 175 yard shot with a 30-30 and many muzzy loads exceed that balistics when you compare the energy of a heavy bullet.

[adamR]

It's unfortunate that you only have a 24" barrel... with 28" barreled muzzleloaders in 2009 I watched someone take a 350 class bull at 241 yards through the spine and then in 2010 from the same blind I watched someone else take a 300 class bull at 212 yards straight through the heart... there is no general distance for a muzzleloader... PRACTICE!!! you'd be amazed what you can do

[Whitelightning]

It's unfortunate that you only have a 24" barrel... with 28" barreled muzzleloaders in 2009 I watched someone take a 350 class bull at 241 yards through the spine and then in 2010 from the same blind I watched someone else take a 300 class bull at 212 yards straight through the heart... there is no general distance for a muzzleloader... PRACTICE!!! you'd be amazed what you can do

24" barrel is ok IMO, I took a Whitetail 4 years ago with my .451 White G series Whitetail 22" barrel at 200 yards, complete pass through in the boiler room went about 6 steps and fell over. Practice with the rifle and you will find a load that will be accurate and give down range performance you are looking for.

[Dirty Mike]

Short barrel ok i have both and can shoot same distance