Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: hornhunter1987 on April 25, 2015, 05:34:37 PM

Title: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: hornhunter1987 on April 25, 2015, 05:34:37 PM: Ive never messed around with a muzzle loader but I'm wanting to have my daughter muzzle load for elk. I was wondering if anyone could give me some insight on a good gun for a 10yr old. Also some recommendations on loads that wouldn't kick to hard but be enough to ethically kill a elk. thanks for any input.
Title: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: bobcat on April 25, 2015, 05:44:47 PM: The CVA Wolf Northwest might be a good choice. Only $210, short, and lightweight (6.25 lbs.)

It is a break action with a breech plug that is removable without the use of any tools- just unscrew it with your fingers.

This makes these muzzleloaders simpler to clean than any other muzzleloader that I know of.

http://www.muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/cva/wolf/pr2113s.php
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 25, 2015, 06:25:31 PM: bobcat can probably answer this, my CVA Optima V2 uses musket caps only and are VERY HARD to find. I live on the eastside and where I live, they are nonexistent.....
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: HntnFsh on April 25, 2015, 06:58:51 PM: At 6.25 pound I wonder if that Wolf might pack a bit of a thump for a 10 year old?
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: bobcat on April 25, 2015, 07:07:53 PM: Quote from: HntnFsh on April 25, 2015, 06:58:51 PM
At 6.25 pound I wonder if that Wolf might pack a bit of a thump for a 10 year old?

It's easy enough to load a muzzleloader down. 80 grains of powder and a 250 grain bullet shouldn't be too bad.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: HntnFsh on April 25, 2015, 07:08:59 PM: Ya, your probably right. Would be a good deer load.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: bobcat on April 25, 2015, 07:16:02 PM: I would think it'd be plenty for elk, with the right bullet. Now whether a 10 year old can handle the recoil, that depends on the kid. I know my daughter couldn't, and she's 9 1/2, but she's also really small for her age.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: MarkyMark on April 25, 2015, 08:32:38 PM: Campmeat I don't know where on the east side you live but Lo-Lo Sports in Lewiston almost always has them in stock. Those fancy German musket caps.

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Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: CAMPMEAT on April 25, 2015, 08:38:56 PM: Quote from: MarkyMark on April 25, 2015, 08:32:38 PM
Campmeat I don't know where on the east side you live but Lo-Lo Sports in Lewiston almost always has them in stock. Those fancy German musket caps.

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I'm way up by the Canadian Border. I did find some about 100 miles from here. Thanks for the heads though..... :tup:
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: hornhunter1987 on April 25, 2015, 08:42:44 PM: cool thanks for the replies. she shoots a 243 just fine, I don't know how comparable the recoil would be. she shoots really good with a scope but is a lot more inconsistent with open sights. Any suggestions on a cheapish peep sight. I think she would shoot better with one of those.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: hornhunter1987 on April 25, 2015, 09:00:39 PM: is it possible to load up a really light charge for target practicing and then load up a hunting charge for when shes going to be hunting. I could sight it in with the hunting charge. If she's shooting at a elk I don't think she'll care how hard it kicks.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: bobcat on April 25, 2015, 09:12:09 PM: Yes you could use around 60 grains of powder with a relatively lightweight and inexpensive .44 pistol bullet with sabots for all the target shooting she wants to do.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: hornhunter1987 on April 25, 2015, 09:16:50 PM: thanks bobcat :tup:
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: Dan-o on April 25, 2015, 09:23:55 PM: The nice part about getting her a muzzleloader is that you can have practice with super light loads and then load up for an elk.

I started my sons with 50 grain loads at the range and practice. They could shoot that all day.

Load them up for 120 grains for an actual elk load.

I promise: My sons NEVER knew the difference when they shot a 120 grain load at an elk...... They were far too excited.

Someone will flame me for this, but ........ the elk died and the boys never developed a flinch.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: Jburke on April 26, 2015, 01:35:20 AM: Quote from: hornhunter1987 on April 25, 2015, 08:42:44 PM
cool thanks for the replies. she shoots a 243 just fine, I don't know how comparable the recoil would be. she shoots really good with a scope but is a lot more inconsistent with open sights. Any suggestions on a cheapish peep sight. I think she would shoot better with one of those.
I have a Williams peep for a Knight that I wasn't a big fan of. It's nothing super fancy but if you end up buying a Knight for her then you can have it. :tup:
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: HntnFsh on April 26, 2015, 08:00:31 AM: Quote from: bobcat on April 25, 2015, 07:16:02 PM
I would think it'd be plenty for elk, with the right bullet. Now whether a 10 year old can handle the recoil, that depends on the kid. I know my daughter couldn't, and she's 9 1/2, but she's also really small for her age.

Seems like a pretty light load to me. Any idea what kind of velocities a Barnes needs to open up. That would probably do it. But I don't think there would be any room for error on shot placement.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: bobcat on April 26, 2015, 09:29:16 AM: That's a good point. I wouldn't use a Barnes bullet at a reduced velocity. (or a Bloodline)

But I bet a bullet such as the Hornady SST would open up fine at lower velocities.

https://m.hornady.com/store/50-Cal-Sabot-Low-Drag-with-45-Cal-250-SST-Bullet/

I would also expect that with a 10 year old, shots would be kept to a relatively short distance (about 75 yards).
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: barracuda163 on April 26, 2015, 10:08:54 AM: Not too sure about the CVA, but my knights love a 240 gr. Hornady xtp with 100 grains of pyrodex pellets. In my neck of the woods I can buy Thompson cheap shots at my local hardware store. Cheap shots are an all lead reproduction of the hornady xtp. Packs of 20 bullets with sabots run me 7 bucks. Here is a link from midway
http://www.midwayusa.com/product/269796/thompson-center-cheap-shot-sabot-50-caliber-with-240-grain-lead-hollow-point-bullet-pack-of-20
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: hornhunter1987 on April 26, 2015, 10:39:26 AM: Thanks for the offer jburke that's awesome.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: CoyoteChuck52 on May 02, 2015, 10:48:46 PM: http://muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/knight/littlehorn/knight-littlehorn-freedom-series-muzzleloader-western-MLHW702C.php#

you'll find these two somewhere on the internet..Bullets might be tough to find...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/719430/speer-deepcurl-bullets-454-casull-452-diameter-300-grain-bonded-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-50?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/448726/harvester-muzzleloading-50-caliber-crushed-rib-sabot-for-45-caliber-bullets-pack-of-50?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Sub: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/788140/hornady-xtp-mag-bullets-45-caliber-452-diameter-300-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-magnum-box-of-50?cm_vc=subv788140
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: Rooster1981 on May 02, 2015, 11:19:51 PM: Quote from: CoyoteChuck52 on May 02, 2015, 10:48:46 PM
http://muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/knight/littlehorn/knight-littlehorn-freedom-series-muzzleloader-western-MLHW702C.php#

:tup: :tup:
My daughter hunts with one of these and she loves it. she is 11 years old. She shoots 80 grains of AP with a 300 grain power belt arolight. Very accurate gun and great to shoot.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: HntnFsh on May 03, 2015, 06:28:30 PM: Quote from: CoyoteChuck52 on May 02, 2015, 10:48:46 PM
http://muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/knight/littlehorn/knight-littlehorn-freedom-series-muzzleloader-western-MLHW702C.php#

you'll find these two somewhere on the internet..Bullets might be tough to find...

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/719430/speer-deepcurl-bullets-454-casull-452-diameter-300-grain-bonded-jacketed-hollow-point-box-of-50?cm_vc=ProductFinding

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/448726/harvester-muzzleloading-50-caliber-crushed-rib-sabot-for-45-caliber-bullets-pack-of-50?cm_vc=ProductFinding

Sub: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/788140/hornady-xtp-mag-bullets-45-caliber-452-diameter-300-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-magnum-box-of-50?cm_vc=subv788140

The Deep curls are out of stock. No backorder. Been that way for about a year.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: CoyoteChuck52 on May 03, 2015, 07:10:55 PM: Sub: http://www.midwayusa.com/product/788140/hornady-xtp-mag-bullets-45-caliber-452-diameter-300-grain-jacketed-hollow-point-magnum-box-of-50?cm_vc=subv788140

This bullet will be a fine substitute
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: Ridgeratt on May 03, 2015, 07:18:57 PM: prowl around and find her a TC Seneca!! 45 cal easy to pack sidelock!!
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: Dan-o on May 03, 2015, 07:27:45 PM: Quote from: hornhunter1987 on April 25, 2015, 09:00:39 PM
is it possible to load up a really light charge for target practicing and then load up a hunting charge for when shes going to be hunting. I could sight it in with the hunting charge. If she's shooting at a elk I don't think she'll care how hard it kicks.

This is exactly what I did with my sons. 1 50 grain pellet for all practice. Sight in with hunting load and they will not notice when shooting at a deer or elk.
Title: Re: muzzle loader for my daughter
Post by: usmc74 on May 04, 2015, 08:27:36 AM: First year my brother hunting, he had never fired anything bigger than a 22. We were never able to get together to shoot a centerfire, so I sighted in in (peep sight rifle, 303 British) for him. He shot a buck his second day out at about 50 yards.
Told me later he knew it kicked more than the 22, but he didn't really notice it.