Expanded your kill zone

[buckshooter]

I had multiple problems with my muzzeloader this past season and am looking at buying the cheapest T/C muzzeloader, which cost 330 dollars with a scope.  I am not to experienced in muzzeloading and because of it, I have a few questions 

What kind of groups can I expect from this gun at 50, 100 and 150 yards? 

What kind of bullets would you get for it? 

Is a heavier grain bullet better than a lighter one? 

Is the scope that comes with the muzzeloader any good or not? 

Any other opinion you have about muzzeloaders is greatly appreciated.

[MikeStaten]

Get the TC Impact ($230) and mount a Nikon ProStaff (on sale at Cabelas for $99) and you should be good.  85 - 100 Grains of Blackhorn 209 and 250 Grain TC Shockwaves shoud be a good starting point for loads.  You should be able to get better than 2.5" groups at 100 yards.

[bigbird09]

330?  you'll have more in your gun than I do a gun, a scope, a jug of pyrodex and some bullets.

Anyways, my CVA like the TC shockwaves pretty well when I can find them.  I shoot the cheaper TC sabots from wally,  like 30 for 15 bucks.  Powerbelts also do well, and I like them becuase they go down the bore alot easier than the sabots.  Best thing to do if you can afford it is get a couple different ones and try them out, figure out which shoot the best.  As for wieghts if your gun shoots them well its then up to you what you like best.  Some people like lighter bullets for greater velocity and less rainbow, then theres people like me that like to make sure that what they hit goes down, 250 grns for me is shooting .22lr.  I prefer to be 350-400 grn range on my bullets.  Usually backed with 90-100grns of pyrdex RS.

[1sourdough]

 I'd look for the gun of your choice & add a scope you like later. Most of those scopes that come with a 'package deal' are not great or worth a whole lot. Then you have to consider the bases & rings used. I'd rather do it myself.

[fliowa]

Walmart is discounting their muzzleloaders right now in my area (Central Florida). The tc omegas are 199.00 and the tc impacts are 177.00.

[swampgeek]

I can second the Blackhorn 209 recommendation, the stuff is expensive but it is worth every penny. As far as bullets you cant go wrong with Hornady, T/C or Traditions...honestly think most of them are re-branded hornady rounds anyway. Lots of people are recommending harvester sabots. I have never personally used powerbelts but have read lots of debate on them. On the other hand I have ate some pretty tasty venison dropped with .45 green skirted powerbelts that some in the family use.

I used a traditions package scope for quite a while. and was getting nice 2" groups at 100yds, after spending a decent amount of time and a little bit of money on trying out different powders and rounds. Every gun is different spend the money to find what yours likes. I cant say enough about the versatility of loose powder, not knocking anyone that shoots pellets but start at say 80 grains and work your way up in 5 grain increments till you find a sweet spot.

[buckshooter]

Okay great, but, does it matter if you use a rifle scope on a muzzeloader?  I have a rifle scope that I bought about 4 years ago and worked well on my other gun.  What do you think? 

[bigbird09]

As long as it will take the recoil.  I would say that my smokepole kicks harder than my 12 with 3in turkey loads,  Definetly know its more than 2 3/4 birdshot,  I can shoot my 12 all day with no problems, after about 6 shots or so with the M/L it starts to hurt.  I did like the powerbelts, they are some of the easiest to ram home, and shot pretty well.  but at 21bux for 20 they are kinda expensive for me,   I'd rather pick up the T/C sabots that are like 15 bux for 30,  even though there not quite as accurate.  I had a 3x9-30 on mine origanaly that was for M/L but I didn't like it that well, so I switch to a 4x30 shotgun scope and like it much better,  and I won't take a shot much further than 200 yrd on a deer so 4x is plenty.