Author Topic: Why people hunt with in-lines. (Read 2145 times)

Mike in Virginia · « **on:** December 26, 2012, 03:56:42 PM »

I have my own opinions, but I'm wondering what yours are. I think folks have no sense of history, no sense of hunting like the old ones did, and no sense challenge. I think the majority of muzzleloading hunters want in-lins with 209 primers, removable breech plugs, and short barrels. I think the majority of hunters that shoot scoped muzzleloaders are in it for the extra season and that's all.
That said, I see nothing wrong with that. It just is not for me, and maybe not for a few others who come here. I love the challenge of backing up 200 years in time and losing myself in the troubles our forefarthers took for granted. I like the fact that I might not harvest an animal becasuse I failed to position my flint correctly in the jaws of the lock. I like making sure my flash hole is clear. I like to cover my lock during bad weather. I like to know that I've adjused my sights just so, that the silver blade at the front of my barrel is perfectly mated with the rear notch. I like to know that if I drop my rifle, the scope won't become misaligned (because there ain't no scope), and that the animal I kill was not so easy to take. I like to know that I've mastered the longrifle. I like the smell and mess and smoke of real blackpowder. I like to fiddle with my lock in the woods, making sure it's right. I like to lean my longrifle against a tree and step back and look at it. I like to lay it across a dead deer and remember all the challenges I mastered to make the harvest happen, just as real woodsmen did in times past. I like messing with patch thickness, patch materials, ball size, powder charges, and all the stuff that woodsmen of long ago had to get exactly right. I like blanket coats and powder horns and powder measurers made out of antler. I like starting a fire with flint and steel and tinder I gatherd myself. To me, convenience in the wilderness is a dreadful loss and a sadness to the man who thinks he needs it. He does not and probably never will know or understand the joy of what muzzleloading and hunting really was to the people that gave him the liberty to hunt with an in-line.

tacklebury · « **Reply #1 on:** December 26, 2012, 04:12:12 PM »

Some are not historians or interested in re-enactment. Why do some hunt with an Atl-atl or sling instead and think you're too new fangled with your smoke and fire stick. Why do some choose archery. Me I like them all. Modern guns, inlines, traditionals, bows etc. I'd use a sling or atl-atl myself to try once, except it's illegal here...

Ranger99 · « **Reply #2 on:** December 26, 2012, 04:25:52 PM »

i couldn't say, because i don't have any,
but as long as the user puts in the time
to be a proficient and accurate hunter i
don't mind if they use 'em.
i'm sure somewhere on here there is a
similar thread about longbows and
recurves and compounds and crossbows.
i use sidelock percussion only because i
don't have any flinters, and use a
crossbow now and again sometimes.

i will say this.
this time in our beleaguered nations shakey
existence is definitely not the time
to be divisive about the personal choice
of an individual's firearm or archery tackle.
there are more than enough nay-sayers
to have the big l.e. van sitting at gun
shows or hunting areas or shooting
ranges in the not-too-distant future
waiting for you to come out so they
can "inspect" your firearms.
every shooter and hunter needs to
stick together like nasa-grade velcro
right now, our we'll all be crying
big crocodile tears together.
no joke.

hillbill · « **Reply #3 on:** December 27, 2012, 12:46:16 AM »

in lines are just another type of firearm to me. since i like firearms of all types i enjoy them also.i also have traditional black powder guns that i enjoy shooting. i would enjoy hunting more with traditional gear but at the moment i find im more comfortable with a scoped rifle because of my eyesight issues.i owe it to whatever im hunting to be able to make a clean quick kill.

not everybody has a deep sense of history that drives them to use traditional gear.that really doesnt make them bad just different.

mechanic · « **Reply #4 on:** December 27, 2012, 12:58:15 AM »

Many use the in lines to take advantage of added days to the hunting calendar, and these are the easiest to learn, shoot, clean, etc. If they added in some type of modern cartridge gun, they wouldn't use the in line.

In some areas, it's muzzies only...same scenario.

I've used both, and currently only own a Hawken, but the inline gave me modern ballistics in a muzzie.

Ben

Empty Quiver · « **Reply #5 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:32:42 AM »

I have still one more take on this. I can't say when or where was the last time I saw a side lock for sale ...

I haven't really been looking, either. I can tell you what brands of ML are on the shelves of most of the sporting goods retailers in this area though.

Hunting is an expensive hobby, most hunters are scrambling to keep up. I work way too many hours a week. It leaves precious little time to get into reenacting, fishing, bowhunting, the kids wrestling, dance, church, Rotary Club, the list is seemingly endless. I have one of each, the inline being a raffle win. I leant the inline to a buddy two years ago, I can't say as I miss it, though it is wonderfuly accurate and pleasant to shoot.

Swampman · « **Reply #6 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:46:07 AM »

I love history and have likely been involved in more living history than most who post here. I hunted with high end flintlocks only for more than 10 years. I hunt with an inline because I'm serious. I want meat in the freezer and deer hunting in this area is as hard as it gets. Daniel Boone himself was lost for 3 days in the areas that I hunt, and commented it was the only place he'd ever been where he thought a man could starve to death in the woods. I don't know why people care what others hunt with. It's none of my business and I don't. I wish FL would allow crossbows and cartridge guns on public lands during the primitive weapons seasons as Mississippi has. I'd be using them.

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #7 on:** December 27, 2012, 04:46:43 AM »

Yeah, I reckon it's like the difference in people who chose a longbow or a crossbow. Nothing wrong with either. When I walk in the big box sporting stores here, the archery dept. has NO lonbows and no sidelock rifles. That proves what the vast majority want. That's okay. I was just wondering how many are weird like me.

RevGeo · « **Reply #8 on:** December 27, 2012, 05:55:04 AM »

Well Mike,
I'm weird like you. Here in Idaho during the muzzleloader-only seasons a person must have a license with a muzzleloader permit validation.
The muzzleloading rifle or musket must be:

Capable of being loaded only from the muzzle. Equipped with open or peep sights only. Scopes and electronics are prohibited.
Loaded only with loose black powder or loose synthetic black powder.
Equipped with a single or double barrel.
Loaded with a projectile that is within .010 of an inch of the bore diameter. Sabots are prohibited.
Loaded with a patched round ball or conical non-jacketed projectile comprised wholly of lead or lead alloy.
Equipped only with a flint, percussion cap or musket cap. 209 primers are prohibited.
Equipped with an ignition system in which any portion of the cap is exposed or visible when the weapon is cocked and ready to fire.

With the possible exception of the license validation, I'm in total agreement with these rules for muzzleloading only seasons. I'm a history freak too and I like the idea of hunting the old way. I have no problem with people using in-line muzzleloaders, but in the muzzleloader only season I think that the limitations of traditional muzzleoaders add to the richness of the sport. I'm glad that Idaho has set aside a season just for the traditional muzzleloaders.
Here in the northern panhandle the main muzzleloader only season is for elk during December in Unit 4, which is mainly the northern Bitterroot mountain area along the Montana line and the adjacent Coeur D'Alene River drainage. Believe me, hunting in the Bitterroots in December is a challenge, to say the least. For a young, strong hunter (not me anymore) it's the real thing, in my opinion.

DDZ · « **Reply #9 on:** December 27, 2012, 02:38:21 PM »

Pa. is one of the few states also that have a flintlock only season that begins the day after Christmas and lasts for three weeks. It used to be round ball only, but a number of years ago they allowed conicals if you want to use them. I always stuck to round balls, because they are accurate in my rifle. I hope the game commission keeps this season flintlock only, and doesn't give in to those that want to use a modern muzzle loader. Pa. does have an early season for use of in lines.
Anyway I like this season more than rifle season. I'm usually off work over Christmas, and there is usually snow on the ground. Its just a great time to be out with a flintlock. Ive hunted with a TC hawkins for many years, but have been longing for a custom rifle. Kind of have my eye on a Chambers, Isaac Haines kit/parts set. They cost a good bit of money, but I'm saving for it.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #10 on:** December 27, 2012, 02:55:21 PM »

Got me a .50 flinter that I made from scratch years ago, I hunt with it. Also got my Frankenstien cap lock .54 that I built from spare parts, I hunt with it too. And I've got an inline, I hunt with it..........it's all good!

Swampman · « **Reply #11 on:** December 27, 2012, 03:08:36 PM »

I wish they would do away with all the special seasons and just have a hunting season. People can use whatever they wish to use.

Ranger99 · « **Reply #12 on:** December 27, 2012, 03:33:50 PM »

second the motion on that!

DDZ · « **Reply #13 on:** December 28, 2012, 05:58:30 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 27, 2012, 03:08:36 PM

I wish they would do away with all the special seasons and just have a hunting season. People can use whatever they wish to use.

That would be ok with me, but I bet the archery hunters would have a hissy.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #14 on:** December 28, 2012, 06:15:18 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on December 27, 2012, 03:08:36 PM

I wish they would do away with all the special seasons and just have a hunting season. People can use whatever they wish to use.

Not me! I have no desire to be out there when the "Shotgun Army"is doing it's thing here. During last Mloader season I'm usually the only one hunting for miles.......suits me jist fine.

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #15 on:** December 28, 2012, 07:06:14 AM »

Mike I love history and hunted for years with a side lock because better was not aval. Today I hunt with a in line because it is the best rifle I can hunt with during the ML season. I am hunting not reinacting history. I would also suggest you trace history back and note that the in line was one of the first systems tried but due to the materials aval. it was not as easy to use and maintain back in the day. So in reality us in line shooters may in fact be reliving history .........as much as anyone not using a match lock

Mike in Virginia · « **Reply #16 on:** December 28, 2012, 09:41:48 AM »

SHOOTALL, I agree. The in-line is a better weapon than the traditional muzzleloader. History and romance do not have to go hand-in-hand with hunting. It's just me. I like the looks of maple and browned muzzleloader with the artistic lines found in such guns. For you, and I suppose for most, it's about the hunting. For me, it's about the hunting and the imagery by brain finds in history. Thank goodness we ain't all the same.

highwayman · « **Reply #17 on:** December 28, 2012, 11:37:04 AM »

i am with mike. they made it legal to hunt with 45-70 during primative season in louisiana and i bought one. shot two deer with it and now a friend of mine use it while i went back to my renegage. i also have a hawkin i am about put a 54cal rb barrel on it. my dad went to a in-line because of his eye sight. i just like the true blackpowder more.

woodchuckssuck · « **Reply #18 on:** December 29, 2012, 04:23:51 PM »

In my area, cartridge rifles are not allowed for deer season. Only shotguns (slug, not buckshot) and blackpowder/muzzle loading rifles. The In-Line muzzle loader allows a hunter near rifle accuracy and a stable platform to mount optics (scope, red dot) as well as the power needed to take a deer. Can this be accomplished with traditional black powder arms? Of course! But I feel most guys prefer shooting scope (even 4x) than open sights, and they like that it looks like a "modern" gun. For most modern hunters, the inline is a better idea. Faster lock time, ability to handle heavy powder charges, sabot bullets, 209 primers for reliable ignition, etc. Also the new age of "black powder substitute" powder allows for easier cleaning, and is almost non-corrosive.

If I was a hunter, I would use traditional. Patched round ball over Goex

I have my first black powder rifle on order...a Traditions Kentucky Rifle KIT! I have some pyrodex left that will be used up in it, then I hope I can find black powder in my area.

Not everyone wants the same thing, and its true we all need to be accepting of ALL legally owned guns. Us gun owners have to come together, because the 2nd amendment is NOT about hunting or target shooting...Let us all band together as shooters, hunters and most of all, GUN OWNERS and stop criticizing others choices in firearms

IronBrigade · « **Reply #19 on:** December 30, 2012, 02:38:24 AM »

I would like to see a special season here in NY for a Traditional muzzleloading season. As nice as it would be not to have any special season the Bow Hunters ASSOC. here would have nothing to to do with it. They pretty much own the hunting season here.
Bow hunt season was from Oct 1 to Nov 17th and from Dec 10th to Dec 18th - 48 days
Firearm season Nov 17th to Dec 9th - 23 days
Muzzleloading season was Dec 10th to Dec 18th - 9 days
I used to own an inline muzzleloader with a scope, I could reach out to over 200 yds just like a rifle. I felt right at home during firearm season.
I figure since they give the Bowhunters a special privileged season so their not interfered with firearm hunters, I would like to see a traditional muzzleloader season so were not interfered with modern firearms or bowhunters.

Cheesehead · « **Reply #20 on:** December 30, 2012, 03:30:55 AM »

I enjoy the quiet, peaceful, separate muzzle loader season in Wisconsin. I just wish it would come with a separate buck tag. We are required to use a "left over" buck tag from center fire season. It is not easy to bag a deer in Northern Wisconsin and I believe in putting all advantage in my court. I started my muzzle loader hobby with a cheap Navy Arms percussion rifle in 50 cal. Then upgraded to a TC Big Boar in 58 cal. I bagged deer with both of these ML's. When Wisconsin changed the laws and allowed scopes of any kind on ML's I upgraded again and never looked back. I bought 2 Savage Model 10ML II muzzle loaders and put a Burris 4x scope on one of them. I entered the muzzle loader season with a left over buck tag and some does tags. My hunting buddy and I both used these Savage rifles to bag 3 does with these very reliable, accurate muzzle loaders. Three shots, three kills, perfection..., and a freezer full of the best meat!

Cheese

IronBrigade · « **Reply #21 on:** December 30, 2012, 03:56:14 AM »

Hey Cheese
Is Savage still making smokeless inlines? I heard rumors they were going to stop production due to lack of sales

Cheesehead · « **Reply #22 on:** December 30, 2012, 04:30:37 AM »

In the past, they have made limited runs, Thats why I bought two of them. The limited runs sell out fast.

Cheese

Cheesehead · « **Reply #23 on:** December 31, 2012, 08:54:42 AM »

http://www.discountfirearmsusa.com/cart.cfm

The Savage Model 10 ML-II are still for sale at certain web sites.

Cheese

IronBrigade · « **Reply #24 on:** December 31, 2012, 01:02:42 PM »

Thanks for the INFO!

chefjeff · « **Reply #25 on:** December 31, 2012, 02:41:30 PM »

Love the Savage, nothing else comes close to it. Still, I certainly respect all who hunt with their chosen method.It's all good! Just like the many different styles of fishing! I once killed a deer with on old thick coke bottle,but it ain't my preferred method.

chefjeff · « **Reply #26 on:** December 31, 2012, 02:43:05 PM »

Oh yeah, Natchez has the (blue) savage on SALE!

45-70.gov · « **Reply #27 on:** January 01, 2013, 03:39:35 AM »

Quote from: Cuts Crooked on December 28, 2012, 06:15:18 AM

Quote from: Swampman on December 27, 2012, 03:08:36 PM
I wish they would do away with all the special seasons and just have a hunting season. People can use whatever they wish to use.

Not me! I have no desire to be out there when the "Shotgun Army"is doing it's thing here. During last Mloader season I'm usually the only one hunting for miles.......suits me jist fine.

i am another in favor of segregation

i also would like more segregation....hand gun only season.
...single shot only...full auto[if only for a day].... thinning the woods improves safety
yet every one gets to use what they want

having witnessed a hunting accedent...i may have a more cautious approach

Swampman · « **Reply #28 on:** January 01, 2013, 05:02:01 AM »

If a person really thinks they are using the best let them use it during the deer season. I've used a self made longbow and/or flintlocks during rifle season on public land. Letting folks hunt before everyone else just ruins it for the majority of hunters. The primitive weapons types have stunk up the woods and scared all the game off by the time the bulk of the hunters can even hunt.

Cuts Crooked · « **Reply #29 on:** January 01, 2013, 08:03:13 AM »

Quote from: Swampman on January 01, 2013, 05:02:01 AM

If a person really thinks they are using the best let them use it during the deer season. I've used a self made longbow and/or flintlocks during rifle season on public land.

Well Swamp how do you feel about being out in the fields and the woods with thousands of fellers with scatterguns, and all of them pumping lead slugs at running deer across open corn/bean fields and timber lots? 'Bout half of them are city boys who think if they put enuff lead in the air fast enuff they'll get a deer.

Not fer me thank you very much!!!!!!!

And our muzzleloading seasons come AFTER the regular gun season so we ain't makin' problems fer nobody!