Author Topic: Secrets of Modern Muzzleloading (review) (Read 875 times)

Wolfhound · « **on:** August 08, 2003, 04:09:17 PM »

Secrets of Modern Muzzleloading Review

I just finished watching the latest muzzleloading video by Randy Wakeman. As always, I'm impressed with his gun reviews. His testing methods use good common sense. The blowback tests once again are enlightening, as are the trigger pull tests. One small issue that wasn't covered that I would have liked to see was the actual lock up differences between the Optima and Encore. As I haven't actually seen an Encore disassembled close up, it would have been nice. Some may say that it's unfair to compare a $500 gun to a $200 gun, however CVA's ads do just that. I did get a peek later in the video at the .45 caliber barrel so that satisfied my personal curiosity. Overall, the gun reviews alone were worth the price of the video. I personally was amazed at the blowback on the Remington 700. And to think when I purchased my Extreme that I almost bought a Remington 700. It gives me the willies now how close I came to buying one.

The products reviews were very enlightening as well. The Black Ice coatings were well covered and possibly something I may do later on with my Extreme. I also enjoyed the piece on XS Sights Power Rod. I have one myself and feel it's the best ramrod for field use (I even use mine at the range for loading) bar none. It's really a quality product and is virtually unknown by many muzzleloading enthusiasts. The brief chronograph section where he discusses the merits of a chrono is good for those without a chrono. I purchased an F1 Shooting Chrony after viewing his last video. Well worth having for determining performance for specific loads in your gun. I liked his optics section with the scopes and rangefinders. Although I'm currently not in the market for a scope, his scope reviews are good information for those who are. I am however interested in a rangefinder. I found the information provided there invaluable. I'll keep it in mind when I decide to purchase one.

His section on bullets was informative. I'm pretty much settled in what I shoot, but for those who aren't it's definitely valuable. I'm certainly glad I'm not a deer after seeing the expanded bullets. He also made some good points on bullet weight and the differences in weight between different bullets. Weighing the bullets was good in illustrating that even with the same bullet, you will get variance in weights. That's certainly a factor in accuracy. The closer the bullets are to each other in weight, the less other factors there are to worry about.

Overall, I was impressed with the video. What I really enjoyed was his pouring water on the capped White 98 and firing the gun. I also was pleased to see him discussing working up loads. It wasn't the full coverage I would have liked, but I understand there were some time restraints there. I enjoyed his product reviews both guns and accessories and was glad to see him do chrono work again. I always enjoy his comparisons of guns regardless of brand. His videos are the only ones that do that. If youre in the market for a new muzzleloader, muzzleloader/scope combo, or just want to see what's new this video's for you. It's a muzzleloading gun show in a box.

The price is $19.95. For dealer/purchasing info contact Randy Wakeman at randymagic@aol.com.

Patrick White
Perry, Illinois

Bob_K · « **Reply #1 on:** August 10, 2003, 03:54:28 AM »

Shouldn't this be under the Product Reviews forum?

J.Solo · « **Reply #2 on:** August 10, 2003, 04:46:54 AM »

Wolfhound:
Please see my new post to you above.
Thanks - J.Solo

Bob K:
I think this post is proper here do to the inclusion of all the models mentioned in the post. I never would have read a Product Review about a Muzzle Loading Tape but I did pick up needed information that I need to explore further about the Rem. 700 ML.
J.Solo

Wolfhound · « **Reply #3 on:** August 10, 2003, 01:48:49 PM »

Bob,
How many muzzleloader hunters go to the product review forum on a regular basis? I put it where the people who it affected (and hopefully interested) would be most likely to see it. If I was wrong, I apologize.

johnt · « **Reply #4 on:** August 10, 2003, 04:03:00 PM »

:twisted: ya 19.95 now we'er all Pro's............
:twisted: :twisted: :twisted: :twisted:

1860 · « **Reply #5 on:** August 11, 2003, 06:53:45 AM »

Funny thing, this exact post is on every ML'g forum I've been to, complete with ordering info.

1860

Wolfhound · « **Reply #6 on:** August 11, 2003, 08:31:33 AM »

Quote

Funny thing, this exact post is on every ML'g forum I've been to, complete with ordering info.

It's only on the ones that I'm on. I may not post there frequently, but I do read almost everything that's written there.

Rustyinfla · « **Reply #7 on:** August 18, 2003, 11:20:59 AM »

My experience has not been very good with CVA. The traditional ML's seem to have soft barrels which wear out rather quick. I also had a .45/.32 hunter combo once upon a time. I bought it because I was looking for a .32, I didn't care much about the .45. Every time I shot the .32 barrel I got gas leakage around the drum. there was a piece of the thread broken off of the barrel where the drum screwed in and the drum couldn't seat properly. This could easily be seen with out too much trouble. I sent the barrel back to CVA twice to have the problem fixed and they refused to do anything saying that everything was OK but they also wouldn't shoot the barrel. I ended up selling the whole shebang to a fellow who was looking for a .45 for his wife to shoot. He knew the .32 barrel was no good. after they refused to deal with what I consider a safety issue I pretty much wrote them off.
RustyinFla.

simonkenton · « **Reply #8 on:** August 18, 2003, 11:40:57 AM »

I like it for Wolfhound to post this review here. Who goes to the Product Review Forum? I have never heard of it.
I have not seen the video but Randy Wakeman, who did the video, is knowledgable and fair minded. If he finds bs he wont tell you it is a pile of rose petals.
If you don't want to buy the video, then don't buy it. Of course you can learn quite a bit about rifles from just reading these forums.
If you were looking for an inline, especially if you were a muzzleloading rookie, it would be money well spent.

docux · « **Reply #9 on:** August 19, 2003, 04:08:18 PM »

Hi wolfhound ; Can you give us a little more info on the blowback tests you talked about? I have not heard of these before. Thanks :grin:

Wolfhound · « **Reply #10 on:** August 20, 2003, 09:40:39 AM »

It's a pretty simple procedure. You place a patched jag down the barrel and snap a cap/primer. It just shows cap/primer blowback, but it gives you a pretty good idea what it will do with powder. Basically it just tells you what it will do to your scope (if any). If you don't use a scope, it's not really important unless it directs sparks towards your face or arms (in the case of the Remington tested).

My Disc Extreme ,for example, shows a little smoke when this test is done and when actually shooting I get a little soot on the scope and no damage. I used to own a CVA Hunterbolt that would direct flame at the scope. I got rid of the gun but I still have the scope. That gun baked off a big portion of the underside and the bottom of the turret cap.