New guy with a bunch of questions!

[MadMooner]

Decided to try ML this year for elk and been reading until I'm about crosseyed. Lol.

I plan on picking up a CVA Optima NW.  I like the Williams peep mounted on the rail, Ace in the Hole I believe they call it. Stock front site.

Was going to get some RWS musket caps and a pound of loose Triple Seven to start.

Bullets........Not sure here. Sounds like the Barnes and Bloodlines get a lot of good press, but damn, they're proud of them. Are they available in bulk and purchase sabots separately? Do some sabots work better with certain bullets and bores than others?

My other thought was to buy a box of 300gr .452 WFN bullets from Beartooth -

https://www.beartoothbullets.com/bulletselect/details.php?id=98

and some sabots. Anyone use sabot'd hardcast WFN out of their ML? 


Any thoughts? Am I on the right track?

[TriggerMike]

Yup. CVA optima nw, Williams peep sight, rws musket caps, loose triple seven, bloodlines with sabots. Perfect set up IMO, it's exactly what I use.

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[MadMooner]

Thanks for the feedback Mike!

Which Bloodline do you use? They load and shoot well? You buy them in the 20 packs with sabot? I  haven't seen 50 or 100ct bulk packs anywhere?

[TheHunt]

I own a muzzleloader which is a Remington 54 call inline stainless Steal.  The rifle has been loaned out multiple times and has killed elk.  My son tried elk hunting with it last season.  Here is one lesson learn which was a hard lesson. 

Put black electrical tap on the end of the barrel to keep the water out. 

[TriggerMike]

300 gr, 20 packs with the red sabots. Use JB bore paste on your barrel when you first get the optima and smooth it out, it will make loading the bloodlines much easier and it'll also make cleanup more efficient as well.

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[MadMooner]

TH - always tape on the muzzle! I tape my center fires just to keep FOD out of there.

Mike - Thanks for the tip!

[Mfowl]

Barnes and Bloodlines are great hunting bullets, killed elk with both. But for bench purposes and sighting in consider Hornady Xtp's in 45 Cal 300gr matched up with the proper MMP sabot (I forget the size off hand.) You can buy these bullets in a 50pk for about $20. This will save you some $ getting started shooting. As you get dialed in and the season approaches switch to your hunting bullet and get dialed in on that. I have killed elk with the Xtp's just fine and that is actually what I shoot on the regular now. Also as your shooting progresses pay close attention to your cold bore shots. This is the shot you will be taking while hunting. You need that one to be accurate. Have fun and enjoy your smokepole! It's a fun way to hunt.

[TriggerMike]

Whatever you do, stay away from powerbelt bullets.

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[mp.hunter]

I use bloodlines as well, they are lethal. 250 gr for deer and 300 for elk. I like to use 100 gr powder behind the 250 and 110 for the 300.


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[MadMooner]

Do I want T7 FFG or FFFG?

[Mfowl]

Do I want T7 FFG or FFFG?

I use T7 ffg but that is also what is available where I buy my ML supplies outside of pellets or pyrodex. No complaints about it. Has always burned when I pull the trigger.

[Sabotloader]

Shooting caps I use T7-3f - easier to ignite and you get a really clean burn. Well cleaner than 2f anything

[bearpaw]

I've got a 50 Hawken that I have used sabots and .44 cal pistol bullets. It's been a few years since I muzzy hunted so maybe the rules don't allow those bullets anymore, but they are very cheap and they shoot well in my gun. I get a little over 1800 fps using FFF blackpowder. Maybe that's something you could try if they are still legal to use. If you need to know which bullets and sabots send me a pm and I'll dig them up when I get a chance.

[cougforester]

Whatever you do, stay away from powerbelt bullets.

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Just a question, what issues do you have with Powerbelts? I've killed a cow and bull the last two years that have run a combined 45-50 yards before expiring. My gun loves them and I've had pretty good terminal results.

[Sabotloader]

Whatever you do, stay away from powerbelt bullets.

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Just a question, what issues do you have with Powerbelts? I've killed a cow and bull the last two years that have run a combined 45-50 yards before expiring. My gun loves them and I've had pretty good terminal results.

This from my stand point only... PBelts are accurate no getting around that one.  Really all they are is an elongated round ball made from very soft lead. 

If you want to shoot a PBelt and you are in Washington - check out the Platinum edition they are a little stronger...

As long as you shoot them with moderate velocities they seem to function - it is when you elevate their velocity that the problems occur.  At the higher velocities they tend to blow up on solid target such as a bone or even the thicker skin of an elk - especially if it happens to wet or wet and muddy.

I would suggest if you must use PBelts on elk you need to shoot a 348 grain bullet or better yet even heavier.