ML barrel for a shotgun

[YoungPupNE]

I am a ML newbie; just getting started using someone else's knowledge and gun to this point.  I would like to get my own gear going.  I have a Mossberg 500 12 gauge that I can get a ML barrel for.  It is a 24", 1 in 26" barrel.  Is this a good idea or would I get a better barrel with a ML that is only used for MLing?  I will use the ML for deer hunting in eastern Nebraska and will probably not take a shot over about 75 yards.

[AndyHass]

I don't have personal experience with that barrel, but how much does it cost?  You can get a serviceable, dedicated muzzleloader for under $200 and not put up with the comprimises of trying to convert a shotgun.
  The low-end Knight guns are cheap, for instance.  I started with a $120 Traditions and still have not tallied as many deer kills with any other gun...though I had to get a trigger job done on it.

[YoungPupNE]

The barrel is about $140.  It attaches to the shotgun like other barrels and uses a 209 primer to ignite the powder.  Stock, it comes with fiber optic sites; a scope can be mounted, too, although Nebraska only allows 1x scopes on muzzleloaders.

[YoungPupNE]

In case it helps, here is a link to the Mossberg website:

http://www.mossberg.com/pcatalog/muzzleload.htm

Has anyone used one or have any knowledge about if this may be a good barrel?

[Bob_K]

My first black powder firearm was a Hastings BP barrel for my Remington 1100.  I had some difficulty using Pyrodex, with the first shot out of a clean barrel not being in the group.  I would have to fire a fouling shot before I loaded for the hunt, and obviously had to clean the barrel daily.  The barrel also exhibited some blow back into the action, and because it was corrosive, had to be throughly cleaned as well.  Lastly, the 209 primer nipple would foul up, and would have a fired primer stick and be somewhat hard to remove.  I sold the barrel and moved on to a Knight.

All the above problems may well be alleviated by Triple 7 powder instead of black powder or Pyrodex.  For the cost, however, I still think I would opt for a dedicated BP rifle.

[Keith Lewis]

The non-removable breechplug will make cleaning a little more difficult than most fo the newer in-line rifles. I would check with Walmart or other discount houses for a similar price on a  new BP specific rifle. Traditions tends to have bad triggers so be aware.  My Traditions Pursuit was terrible and I did a trigger job twice to get it even fair.

[YoungPupNE]

Thanks for the posts, everyone.  I'm moving on to a dedicated gun.  I've been reading some of the other threads about what is good to start with and feel pretty confident in being able to get what I need.

Thanks again!

[YoungPupNE]

I bought a CVA Optika a couple of nights ago.  I've run about 15 shots through it sighting it in and just enjoying the way it shoots.  The trigger pull is the envy of most other rifles I've owned (not black powder / ML's.)  I put a small 1x red dot scope on it and punched the same hole at 50 yards.

Thanks again for the advice.  I'm going for deer as soon as I can get the time off from work.

[YoungPupNE]

Sorry about that -- it's a CVA Optima (not Optika).