Author Topic: Muzzleloader newbie questions. (Read 765 times)

tominboise · « **on:** November 04, 2003, 10:08:55 AM »

I am contemplating getting into muzzleloading, due to better seasons here in Idaho. The rules limit me to .45 caliber minimum for deer, .50 caliber min. for elk. I am planning on hunting deer only. They also have to use a percussion cap, and open or peep sights. (Idaho also has a traditional muzzleloader season, with exposed hammer, loose powder, etc). Given that, I see that Cabelas offers, among others, a T/C wildcat, in .50 caliber, that uses No. 11 caps. Can one install peep sights on a rifle like this? And can I expect reasonable results using a cap and three pyrodex pellets (150 gr total)?

Any hints or advice would be appreciated. I have a year to prepare, for the 2004 season.

THanks, Tom

SingleShotShorty · « **Reply #1 on:** November 04, 2003, 10:27:55 AM »

I'm not familiar with the T/C Wildcat but if it is an inline then the Pellets should work alright. I would suggets using loose Pyrodex when using the number 11 cap. I have an Encore 209X50 inline that I use now but still have my old T/C Hawken 50 caliber that I have taken several deer with. I shoot 90 grains of loose Pyrodex a 240 grain XTP in a hornady green sabot with very good accuracy. In fact I had to loan it to a buddy of mine this last weekend as his ML was stolen out of his truck and he killed a nice 8 pointer with it. What ever kind of muzzleloader you buy I would strongly advise you to go with a 50 Cal. I would also add fiber optic sight to it, I added them to my Hawken and love them but then again I have old eyes which is the main reason I bought the Encore and put a 3X9 Leupold on it.
You might even want to look at a Ruger inline as they use number 11 caps and are very accurate. Good luck and welome to the world of Ml hunting, I think that you will really enjoy the challenge.

HWooldridge · « **Reply #2 on:** November 04, 2003, 12:04:35 PM »

I prefer the 54 caliber since it will kill anything I'll ever come across and can be loaded down for small game. Since black powder is also something of an experience, I shoot a traditional Hawken style rifle with Goex FFFg and a patched, round ball. You can put a peep or scope on most anything so sight selection is your choice. Welcome to the fold!

Flatland Hunter · « **Reply #3 on:** November 04, 2003, 12:59:27 PM »

Read this: Bluelk's ML 101 Chapters it will help http://www.realtree.com/bluelk/index.tpl

And I would strongly suggest a White M98 Elite Hunter in .451 cal, I can consistently shoot under 1" at 100 yards with a 460 grain conical and 80 gr of 777 2f loose powder (that is scoped). Designed to use #11 caps, open ignition, peep easily installed. The #11 ignition is also waterproof when capped. Check out this site for reviews of various ML's: http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2d.rifles.htm

Hope this helps.

mamaflinter · « **Reply #4 on:** November 04, 2003, 05:22:12 PM »

Tom Personally since you live in elk country and sometime might want to hunt elk, I would opt for the .54 caliber in whatever you choose to buy. That way you have enough gun for elk but can load it down somewhat for deer. I don't live in elk country but just for those reasons chose my .54s when I purchased mine just in case I ever get the chance to go to elk country.

Pyrodex pellets..........You might find you will have better results with loose pyrodex as you can tweak the loads easier with loose powder (you have more flexibility) not to mention the cost isn't nearly as high for loose powder as it is for pelletized. Just remember that if you do choose to use pyrodex, you must be meticulous with your cleaning methods as pyrodex is much more corrosive than real blackpowder is.

Since you are limited to open sights or peeps, I don't think that you would be at any more of an advantage to get an inline UNLESS you purchased a Savage. The Savage is the only muzzleloader that you can use smokeless in. It utilizes primers for ignition which might not be legal for Idaho (I'm not sure).

WD45 · « **Reply #5 on:** November 05, 2003, 02:41:54 AM »

Very good advise given above......
We can all tell you what we would do but you have to answer some of your own questions to boot...
If your state only allows patched RB then its 54 cal no question even if it is the traditional only season that requires RB.
If you are going to hunt Elk you have to go with at least the 50 due to state regs.
If you are going to shoot sabots go with the 50 as there are more available and you can get them at about any big discount store.. walmart
If you are going to shoot heavy lead conicals then either cal is fine and you are only limited to the heaviest bullet that your rifle will stabilize.
Also , you do not need 150 grains of powder to kill a deer or even elk for that matter. Even noteing charges given in the other replies, None are over 100 grains and as they said also loose powder is the better option than the pellets.
I hope I have helped answer some of your questions. This stuff can be on the confusing side for some one just starting.

Winter Hawk · « **Reply #6 on:** November 05, 2003, 06:43:38 AM »

Since you say Idaho also has a traditional BP season, I suggest a sidelock. You can use it in the regular muzzleloading season, and you have the option of using it in the traditional season. Also I suggest that you go minimum .50 caliber. I had a T-C Pennsylvania Hunter in that caliber, 1 in 66" twist (round ball) and it shot both the round ball and Lee REAL bullets into 4" at 100 yards with 80 gr. of fffg. Plenty of oomph for anything, though a little light for the big bears...

-Kees-

KING · « **Reply #7 on:** November 07, 2003, 04:54:38 PM »

AS YOU ALREADY HAVE BEEN ADVISED,THE .54 IS PROBABLY THE BEST TO GO. tHE .45( IN RB) IS NOT THE BEST CHOICE,THE .50 IS CNSIDERED GOOD FOR WHITE TAIL,AND THE .54 YOU CAN DO JUST ABOUT ANYTHING WITH IT FOR HUNTING. pLENTY FOR ELK AND JUST ABOUT ANYTHING ELSE sTAY sAFE........kING

crow_feather · « **Reply #8 on:** November 08, 2003, 08:01:38 AM »

Tominboise,

You have received some good information. There are as many rifles and powders and bullets as there are opinions. While I am dedicated to the preservation of the more historical rifles, I would suggest that you go to the range and speak with some of the various owners of both in-line and side lock rifles. See if you can get a few shots with the respective weapons. Nothing is worse than to find out that you made a mistake after you purchased the rifle.

C F

Mama, whats this Savage stuff your puttin out? Sam Hawkin just rolled in his grave.

Naphtali · « **Reply #9 on:** November 14, 2003, 08:11:18 AM »

Tom:

I'm confused -- this is a permanent thing, sometimes it's just more noticeable -- what are requirements for the muzzleloading-only season?

What are muzzleloader requirements for cartridge gun hunting season, if different from muzzleloading-only season?

I ask because several years ago, Idaho permitted such things as double-barreled rifles.

Mamaflinter is, as usual, correct. But, having only one shot available, make it the biggest, most refrigerator-like projectile you can stand. Notice, I did not write "handle." For one shot, you can stand fearsome loads.

And when you practice, just put a sandbag between you and the rifle's butt. I got my elk in Washington using a .50-caliber RB. Next year, g-d willing, I'll use a .62- or .68-caliber rifle. Most of the pieces are in a box in my garage now.
********
Where are you going to hunt? Around Grangeville, or perhaps Lemhi county? Walking in, driving in, or horse packing?