Post by: lamrith on February 23, 2021, 06:07:37 PM
I am curious what you pros take to range as well as (maybe more importantly?) what you use out in the field while hunting to load shoot and reload during a hunt. supplies of many things are low/backorder but it would be great to hear from all of you what works, vs what is just not worth spending $0.01 on.
Thus my question. Hopefully many of you answer so new ML owners have a place to read thru and avoid wasting money on junk and build themselves a good kit from the start.
If you were to put together YOUR perfect kit of essentials for a muzzle loader shooter to have what would it be?
speed loaders, bullet starters, funnels, cleaning supplies, etc etc. I thought I saw a speedloader a few years back that had a funnel build into it for loose powder but now....?
Post by: usmc74 on February 23, 2021, 06:30:27 PM
What Muzzy did you order?
For my use I prefer Powder rather than pellets (I use triple 7 3F loose powder)
My son and I hunted together for a week. Same rifle/bullet and musket cap. Mine fired at the end of the week, his pellets did not.
I carry 3 speed loaders with measured powder and bullet.
I REALLY like the Barnze TMZ 290. The TEZ is almost the same but easier to load. I have 2 one shot kills on elk.
Post by: raydog on February 23, 2021, 07:17:49 PM
Post by: lamrith on February 23, 2021, 07:51:19 PM
I stopped at sportco sat and picked up some 777 50/50 pellets as well as some firestar pellets, some 300grb SST sabots and 209inline primers. I want to go powder long term, but grabbed what was available for short term. How is the 777 3F for fouling the bore? can you get many shots before having to clean?
What do you guys use for carrying your pre measured loads and anything special for loading into the gun in the field? I could see trying to pour a powder charge in the field making a mess, especially in wet weather. I have some pellets for now, as nobody seems to have powder anywhere.
What about bullet starting, carrying charges/speedloaders, etc etc..
Post by: raydog on February 23, 2021, 08:04:35 PM
I haven’t had many issues pouring powder from my speed loader. Even after taking a shot at an elk. No funnel needed.
I also want to add that my issues with pellets were pre 209 legalization.
Post by: callturner on February 23, 2021, 08:31:45 PM
Mike
Post by: Bob33 on February 23, 2021, 08:45:17 PM
Post by: actionshooter on February 23, 2021, 08:48:53 PM
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 23, 2021, 08:49:10 PM
Post by: Dan-o on February 23, 2021, 09:07:31 PM
I use the ribbed sabots and they are easier to load. I can get 2-3 more shots before having to clean. Saw one bull take 6 rounds a couple seasons ago.
6 rounds?!?!?!?
One in each leg and one in the paunch before hitting the vitals?
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 23, 2021, 09:12:44 PM
Post by: Dan-o on February 23, 2021, 09:58:32 PM
I've killed a lot of elk with muzzy, and my experience is that they don't go far with a hole in their heart or both lungs.
They are tough creatures with a strong will to live, but without a heart or both lungs, they simply don't last long.
Post by: Dan-o on February 23, 2021, 11:50:09 PM
* I tape a few 2" pieces of electrical tape to the stock of my rifle. They are completely out of the way, but in the event of bad weather, you can put a piece over your muzzle. I have personally conducted accuracy tests with electrical tape over the muzzle,and get no difference in point of impact or accuracy of groups.
* I also stole a bottle of my wife's clear nail polish years ago. In really bad weather I will "paint" my musket cap on. Dried acrylic nail polish makes a nice waterproof seal.
* I keep a nipple pick handy . They are small,and when you need one you really need one.
* I believe a small brass front bead is good for accuracy. Many come standard with a huge front bead. Something like this: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1184127653?pid=319797
* And I am a fan of a ghost ring rear sight with removable aperture with a brass ring. Seems to provide best contrast/clarity for me. Something like this,but the removable aperture has a brass ring.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1006000848?pid=661938
* IDK what kind of ignition system you're getting,but if your choice is between number 11 caps and musket caps, look up the temperature and spark size of both and I bet you will switch to musket caps.
* Someone already mentioned speedloaders. They are a must. A few come with waterproof spaces for caps. If not, be sure to keep your caps waterproof somehow.
Post by: GWP on February 23, 2021, 11:55:29 PM
I use the ribbed sabots and they are easier to load. I can get 2-3 more shots before having to clean. Saw one bull take 6 rounds a couple seasons ago.
There is a serious issue somewhere. Too far, poor accuracy, buck fever. Something.
Post by: optic2 on February 24, 2021, 05:05:49 AM
Post by: lamrith on February 24, 2021, 12:11:24 PM
Yeah I bought a peeprib after hearing some people had issues with the wilson not adjusting high enough.
back on topic.Good info!
* I tape a few 2" pieces of electrical tape to the stock of my rifle. They are completely out of the way, but in the event of bad weather, you can put a piece over your muzzle. I have personally conducted accuracy tests with electrical tape over the muzzle,and get no difference in point of impact or accuracy of groups.
* I also stole a bottle of my wife's clear nail polish years ago. In really bad weather I will "paint" my musket cap on. Dried acrylic nail polish makes a nice waterproof seal.
* I keep a nipple pick handy . They are small,and when you need one you really need one.
* I believe a small brass front bead is good for accuracy. Many come standard with a huge front bead. Something like this: https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1184127653?pid=319797
* And I am a fan of a ghost ring rear sight with removable aperture with a brass ring. Seems to provide best contrast/clarity for me. Something like this,but the removable aperture has a brass ring.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1006000848?pid=661938
* IDK what kind of ignition system you're getting,but if your choice is between number 11 caps and musket caps, look up the temperature and spark size of both and I bet you will switch to musket caps.
* Someone already mentioned speedloaders. They are a must. A few come with waterproof spaces for caps. If not, be sure to keep your caps waterproof somehow.
As an answer to your question. "yes" is the ignition system I bought, the gun is 209 from the factory. I also bought the BH209 breechplug as well as the old school NW legal ignition kit. So bases are covered for ignition options. The guy at Muzzleloader Supply on River Rd in Puyallup clued me in to getting NW type ignition as those primers are more available than 209's have been.
Post by: Damnimissed on February 24, 2021, 04:00:57 PM
I use the ribbed sabots and they are easier to load. I can get 2-3 more shots before having to clean. Saw one bull take 6 rounds a couple seasons ago.
There is a serious issue somewhere. Too far, poor accuracy, buck fever. Something.
I shot a cow 4 times in the lungs with 300gr Knight Bloodlines and she didn’t really flinch when I’d shoot. Thought I was missing for a minute, then she tipped over dead as a door nail.
Post by: haftard on February 24, 2021, 04:44:10 PM
At 13 yards the bullet preformed well and he was dead within the time it took me to reload.
At 140 yards the bullet preformed ... Ehh ... The peddles didnt get any penetration. But regardless he was dead within the time it took ,e to reload.
At 30 yards we didnt find any of the peddles they where all in his heart and lungs.
I use the williams peep sight and just a fiberoptic front sight that came with the gun.
My wife shoots the hornady sst... I can never remeber the grain but i always buy the right one. Im pretty sure its the 300g. They preform well. Onlu reason she dosnt shoot the blood lines is they dont load in her gun worth a damn. She has a cva wolf.
Put some blue locktight on your front sight cuz they do rattle loose. Personaly i dont use a bullet starter i just use my ram rod.
I run with 4 of the basic speed loaders for pellets. They are just a tube with caps on either end. I keep a hadfull of primers (between 10 and 20. In a baggie in my pack and like 5 in my pocket. I tend to lose more primers on the 209 primwe holder bs they sell at the store. And the baggies keep them dry. Even tho i havent had any issue with the floor bord primers just target shooting.
Lasty get a range finer, shoot often, be confident, know your range, know your limits, and have fun. When the smoke clears hopfuly you have alot more work to do.
Post by: GWP on February 24, 2021, 04:50:39 PM
I use the ribbed sabots and they are easier to load. I can get 2-3 more shots before having to clean. Saw one bull take 6 rounds a couple seasons ago.
There is a serious issue somewhere. Too far, poor accuracy, buck fever. Something.
I shot a cow 4 times in the lungs with 300gr Knight Bloodlines and she didn’t really flinch when I’d shoot. Thought I was missing for a minute, then she tipped over dead as a door nail.
Verified into or through the lungs? Enough time to reload 4 times? Wow!
Post by: M_ray on February 24, 2021, 05:58:35 PM
In one pocket some extra caps and the other 2 speed loaders , in the pack a zip with some pre soaked cleaning pads a zip with some pre soaked bore butter pads a cleaning jag and a bullet puller. Never really needed them but a buddy has and after a 7 mile round trip back to the rig to get him stuff to clean with so he could keep his eye on a buck I decided to start carrying these things with me.
I never have to shoot more than once but I can load 6-8 times at the range without cleaning. If you are not able to get more than one or two bullets down the pipe then you are likely not burning all your powder. This is a downfall of pellets if your barrel would be the most accurate at 90 and your shooting 2 pellets then you may possibly be just throwing 10 grns of powder down the barrel on the ground unnecessarily fouling your barrel, You're also loosing money. You can test this by placing a tarp in front of your shooting bench and check it after the shot, some find unspent powder on the tarp. If so powder gives you the ability to work your load down pellets do not.
If two pellets work accurately and you're able to load several then your on track and don't change a thing, good luck. :tup:
Post by: BigTines on February 25, 2021, 11:24:00 AM
What do you guys do at the end of a hunting day? Reuse the load for the next day? Shoot out the bullet? Push it out(is the bullet reusable?)? If you reuse it for next day at what point do you get a fresh new load? End of the week?
Also does what you do depend on the weather? Ie if it’s raining all day do you shoot it out and not if it’s sunny?
Also do you put electrical tape over the end? Can you do that with a muzzleloader?
Not sure if it makes a difference but I’m shooting an Accura v2 with BH209 and 209m primer and saboted Barnes Tez.
Post by: JimmyHoffa on February 25, 2021, 11:34:47 AM
Question from a newb to all the experts....I leave it in for the entire season now. I'm currently using an inline with the closed breech--bh209--209 primer, but I cover the end of the barrel with some plastic. I just take the primer out at the end of the day.
What do you guys do at the end of a hunting day? Reuse the load for the next day? Shoot out the bullet? Push it out(is the bullet reusable?)? If you reuse it for next day at what point do you get a fresh new load? End of the week?
Also does what you do depend on the weather? Ie if it’s raining all day do you shoot it out and not if it’s sunny?
Also do you put electrical tape over the end? Can you do that with a muzzleloader?
Not sure if it makes a difference but I’m shooting an Accura v2 with BH209 and 209m primer and saboted Barnes Tez.
When I used a sidelock with pyrodex powder, I'd have to shoot every day or every other day or it was a real gamble on it working.
Post by: trophyhunt on February 25, 2021, 12:22:59 PM
Post by: haftard on February 25, 2021, 01:31:34 PM
When i do unload the gun to clean it i dont reuse anything but the bullet(new sabot)
Post by: M_ray on February 25, 2021, 01:46:33 PM
Question from a newb to all the experts....
What do you guys do at the end of a hunting day? Reuse the load for the next day? Shoot out the bullet? Push it out(is the bullet reusable?)? If you reuse it for next day at what point do you get a fresh new load? End of the week?
Also does what you do depend on the weather? Ie if it’s raining all day do you shoot it out and not if it’s sunny?
Also do you put electrical tape over the end? Can you do that with a muzzleloader?
Not sure if it makes a difference but I’m shooting an Accura v2 with BH209 and 209m primer and saboted Barnes Tez.
I leave mine loaded the entire season at the end if I havent shot it I push it out dump powder and use those bullets at the range. I always start a hunt with a fresh bullet. For got to mention in my post above yes I keep a couple pieces of electrical tape on my stock for heavy rain to cover my tip. if its light rain I'm usually keeping my muzzle down and covering my breech under my jacket anyway. when muzzy hunting I rarely shoulder my rifle but def not in the rain.
Post by: Fl0und3rz on February 25, 2021, 01:50:05 PM
Post by: Guardhair on February 25, 2021, 02:02:24 PM
Post by: pd on February 25, 2021, 02:13:16 PM
A "friend" told me about this. Makes it darn hard to finish your hunt successfully if you ignore this advice. :bash:
Post by: Encore 280 on February 25, 2021, 02:29:07 PM
Post by: Damnimissed on February 27, 2021, 12:55:43 AM
I use the ribbed sabots and they are easier to load. I can get 2-3 more shots before having to clean. Saw one bull take 6 rounds a couple seasons ago.
There is a serious issue somewhere. Too far, poor accuracy, buck fever. Something.
I shot a cow 4 times in the lungs with 300gr Knight Bloodlines and she didn’t really flinch when I’d shoot. Thought I was missing for a minute, then she tipped over dead as a door nail.
Verified into or through the lungs? Enough time to reload 4 times? Wow!
I just looked at the photo. It was 3 in the back of the lungs with it slightly quartered away and one in the front of the shoulder. Dead on her feet, really strange though.
Post by: Wetwoodshunter on March 03, 2021, 06:44:49 AM