Post by: theoutdoorlife on December 30, 2010, 08:36:12 PM
P.S. Any advise to a Blackpowder Beginner is welcomed!
Post by: Skyvalhunter on December 30, 2010, 08:48:21 PM
Post by: Dan-o on December 30, 2010, 09:15:18 PM
As for newbie advice, the best thing you could do would be to find some one to take you to the range the first time. I learned it the hard way, and there are so many stupid things I did that could have been avoided if I'd only gone with someone who knew the basics. It will save you a bunch of time if someone shows you the ropes.
My other piece of advice: It seems that individual muzzleloader rifles like individual loads. I wouldn't scrimp on trying several different bullet types/weights. If you know someone who shoots, ask them if you can purchase 4 each of what they have so you don't have to buy all the different types yourself. For that matter, I live in Auburn, if you're down here, I'd give you 4 each of the 10 different kind I have (since I only hunt with 2 of them, the rest are just taking up space.). PM me if you want some.
Range sessions also seem to take longer for me, so you better budget the time.
Best of luck,
Dan
Post by: Whitelightning on December 30, 2010, 09:42:03 PM
There is a Super 91 in the classifieds here.
I agree every Muzzle loader likes a little differant load whether that is a bullet type or weight or a specific powder, that is what makes Muzzle loading fun IMO.
Post by: CAMPMEAT on December 30, 2010, 09:47:51 PM
short barrel like a brush gun.
Post by: carpsniperg2 on December 30, 2010, 10:15:48 PM
If you have any questions feel free to pm me i would be happy to help you out. Lots of great muzzleloader hunters and shooters here with a ton of experience. Welcome to the site.
Post by: bobcat on December 30, 2010, 10:28:47 PM
Post by: gotshot on December 30, 2010, 10:46:02 PM
Post by: Hangfire on December 30, 2010, 10:47:29 PM
Post by: BlackRidge on December 30, 2010, 10:49:49 PM
T/C has a sale going on the NW Explorer ($329 (https://secure.tcarms.com/store/8795-nw-explorer-blued-black-50-cal.html)). You can usually find Hawken kits online for about the same price too
I wish the Encore had an adapter that made it WA compliant
Post by: rock on December 31, 2010, 04:19:20 AM
Post by: rasbo on December 31, 2010, 04:57:30 AM
Post by: KLRKeith on January 02, 2011, 09:26:30 AM
Post by: luv2hunt on January 02, 2011, 09:51:50 AM
Post by: kerrdog on January 02, 2011, 06:16:36 PM
Post by: deerslyr on January 02, 2011, 06:22:26 PM
Post by: Armadillo on January 04, 2011, 06:55:00 PM
T/C Grey Hawk 50 Cal I loveee shooting this thing!!
Post by: Lowedog on January 04, 2011, 06:59:15 PM
Post by: Hank on January 06, 2011, 06:17:25 AM
my go to gun is a cva elkhorn.
If you don't mind another ML newbie question. What bullet powder combo are you shooting from your Elkhorn? I picked up two of these guns from the Taxidermy/Muzzle loader shop in Puyallup. The shop keeper set me up with 777 pellets and 348 grain power belts. This combination got me about 5 inch groups at 100 yards using a bench and rest. In your expierance with the Elkhorn is that the limitation of the gun or is there a better combination?
Post by: teanawayslayer on January 06, 2011, 07:05:13 AM
Post by: bobcat on January 06, 2011, 07:19:13 AM
Post by: Hank on January 06, 2011, 07:20:23 AM
Post by: teanawayslayer on January 06, 2011, 07:23:05 AM
Post by: Skillet on January 06, 2011, 07:30:38 AM
Post by: bobcat on January 06, 2011, 07:34:25 AM
bobcat, I agree with some of what you said but it also all depends on the shots you take. those 290's I have shot 2 elk with and they do not move after you hit them. Same with deer. They are soft but do a great job in my opinion. Not saying they are the best but are really effective.
Yes it does depend on where you hit them, but I don't want to have to worry about that. With a powerbelt on elk I suppose you'd just have to pick your shots just as if you were shooting a bow and arrow- broadside shot behindi the shoulder through both lungs. But why not use a bullet like the Barnes where you could shoot through a shoulder if you had to?
Hank- if a bullet is "losing velocity at 100 yards" it shouldn't matter, as that should be almost your maximum range with a muzzleloader anyway. :twocents:
Post by: kerrdog on January 06, 2011, 08:06:52 AM
I've been using pyrodex, but I've heard that the Winchester triple 7 burns hotter and faster with better ignition, which is a concern for me with those little #11 caps that my NW Explorer requires. I've had plenty of no-fires after the cap pops.
Post by: teanawayslayer on January 06, 2011, 08:14:03 AM
All I am saying about the velocity is with the 348 I would take no longer of a shot. with the 295's or the 245's I am very comfortable out to 120-150 yards. I have had several time where I could not closed that extra distance. Major factor to me. If I need that option then I have it.bobcat, I agree with some of what you said but it also all depends on the shots you take. those 290's I have shot 2 elk with and they do not move after you hit them. Same with deer. They are soft but do a great job in my opinion. Not saying they are the best but are really effective.
Hank- if a bullet is "losing velocity at 100 yards" it shouldn't matter, as that should be almost your maximum range with a muzzleloader anyway. :twocents:
Post by: Blsum on January 06, 2011, 09:10:23 AM
I know guys that use the barnes tmz with the loose powder and love it. I am going to try the change this summer and see what happens.
Dude your going to love this load. You won't go back to shooting those crap powerbelts. :twocents:
Post by: Ghost Hunter on January 08, 2011, 09:09:58 AM
My Lyman Great plains rifle has been great! Easy to clean and with a .54 cal it can take anything in the state. 1" groups at 50 yards all day long. 100 yards groups are around 3-4" for me but my son can keep it to 2"...I have a T/C New Englander in .54 cal thats very nice too. I also have a Lyman .50 cal flintlock that I've been trying to wack a coyote with. It's very accurate as well but alot to think about. I dont have any modern inlines so no idea.
:tup:
Post by: Whitelightning on January 10, 2011, 07:38:07 AM
I have a T/C Hawken with a Green Mountain LRH barrel. Great gun for shooting heavy maxi-balls. Best groups with the 370 grain T/C Maxi's, but I got my hands on some bullets made by No Excuses in Utah that go 460 grains that I will play with this year. That's a big chunk of lead, right there. I've shot a few for fun and with a heavy powder charge recoil starts to become "noticeable"... You're welcome to pick up a few to try if you go with a fast-twist .50 cal and you're in my neighborhood at some point.
skillet, I agree No Excuse makes some nice bullets. I have shot them for years in the 495gr very accurate and will knock a critter arse over tea kettle in a hurry. Doc White had a lot to do with the Green River barrel in the early years that why they shoot heavy lead like they do IMO.
Post by: Skillet on January 10, 2011, 08:01:38 AM
I am 100% sold on the Green Mountain LRH (Long Range Hunter) barrel. It turned my average 1:48" twist Hawken into a 1:28" heavy bullet tack driver - it is now much more accurate than I am. Whatever Doc did, he did it right.
Post by: llamabob on January 10, 2011, 10:43:18 AM
Post by: KimberRich on January 12, 2011, 12:15:48 PM
Post by: BlackRidge on January 12, 2011, 12:25:43 PM
Was looking at the T/C Renegade and it seems to pretty much be the same as the hawken, but without that nasty buttstock end. Same with the T/C Grey Hawk, almost the same as the Renegade, but in an all-weather type setup
Post by: KimberRich on January 12, 2011, 04:04:17 PM
I love the traditional look/function of the T/C Hawken, but maaaan that buttstock end just looks deadly. Shoulder it wrong, and I'm sure you'd be feeling that for weeks to come
Was looking at the T/C Renegade and it seems to pretty much be the same as the hawken, but without that nasty buttstock end. Same with the T/C Grey Hawk, almost the same as the Renegade, but in an all-weather type setup
I have a limbsaver slip on pad that fits nice on my Hawken and I use it at the range but I actually like the shape of the butt stock as it contours to the shoulder well and feels stable to me. :twocents:
Post by: lonedave on January 12, 2011, 09:55:50 PM