Muzzleloader recommendations?

[Old Hunter]

The Wolf is a good gun. I have one all setup for an elk hunt this year. Very accurate gun. I have an Accura MR coming, but if it doesn't make it in time for ML season. The Wolf will be fine.

 

[jay]

The Wolf is a good gun. I have one all setup for an elk hunt this year. Very accurate gun. I have an Accura MR coming, but if it doesn't make it in time for ML season. The Wolf will be fine.

Old Hunter, i shouldered the TC and the Wolf earlier at the gun shop and the Wolf seemed "generic" in the way the butt fit into my shoulder, seems really narrow. I know this is not they're highest model but should that concern me in leering me towards the TC?
I guess my question is why would you get the Accura if the Wolf performs as good as you say it does? Not busting your chops, just curious as you have more experience with this gun than I do. I liked the break action on the Wolf over the Impact, the other nice thing on the Wolf is the removable breech plug while the Impact needs the tool for removal. Thanks for the input!

 

[Old Hunter]

I needed a gun to hunt with. I couldn't take the chance that the Accura would be in before ML season starts. I'm still not sure i'll have it.

However, I have no problem hunting with the Wolf. It fits me good. Better than any TC, because TC guns have an LOP that's too short for me.

If I was forced to hunt with the Wolf for the rest of my life. I wouldn't be upset.


My Wolf.

 

[bigshot]

Bigshot, have you shot your CVA Wolf yet? I was curious about them cause my brother is in the market for a new muzzleloader for the upcoming season. Was looking at the TC Impact, CVA Wolf, or the Traditions Buckstalker. Thanks for the input guys!

Sorry Jay, I just noticed your post. I have not shot my Wolf yet. Still in the process of buying everything. I just received my new breach plug from Western Powder Co. for their BH209 Powder, and waiting for the Thor bullet sizing kit. I was only able to find some Federal 209A primers to start out with, so gonna see how they work until I can find some CCI Mag or Fiochi. So I'm still in the process, but when I do I'll post the results on here.

I also purchased an older mountain rifle type CVA muzzle loader and I believe the barrel twist is more designed for round balls. I'm planning on getting the Wolf set up first then work on the old Mountain rifle.

 

[bigshot]

Bigshot: I'm using Fiocchi (#616) 209 primers in my CVA Accura. I typically have to clean the carbon out of my breech plug every 20 to 30 shots. I am going to experiment with more frequent cleaning to fine tune accuracy.

Here is a very good blog on some issues to consider when selecting a 209 primer.

http://blog.cva.com/muzzleloader-cva-accura/


Here are two good posts on the Blackhorn 209 website on recommended primers:

http://www.blackhorn209.com/specs/primers/

http://www.blackhorn209.com/2011/10/which-primer-is-best-for-igniting-blackhorn-209/


Some common issues in using Blackhorn 209:

1) One problem when shooting Blackhorn 209, is having a primer that is not hot enough. Avoid special muzzleloading 209 primers.

2) Another problem is having a primer that is too "hot" and the primer itself exerts too much pressure on the load and pushes the bullet up the barrel before the powder ignites. This has its own set of ignition and accuracy problems.

3) Also as Old Hunter mentioned, the breech plug needs to be Blackhorn 209 compatible. Many breech plugs can be modified. In the past, the guys at Western Powders (Blackhorn 209 manufacturer) have been helpful with this.

4) Make sure you keep the breech plug clean. Occasionally use a close fitting drill to chase the carbon build up, and a torch tip cleaner to keep the fire channel open. Some guys are going to rifle primers in a 209 adapter to avoid this carbon build up. I have not tried this yet but it looks promising. Here is a link on that solution:

http://www.prbullet.com/lrvf.htm



TROUBLESHOOTING: There should really be no noticeable delay between the "hammer falling" and the load going off. If there is, you need to chase the problem down, and it is typically one of the four things above.

It is definitely worth working through the issues. My Accura worked right off the bat with the Fiocchi primers. Blackhorn 209 is awesome powder and definitely worth the effort to get dialed in.

Hey Umpqua Hunter, thanks for the information I found it very good reading!!

 

[Old Hunter]

The Federal primers will work fine with the Western Powder BP. They'll even work with the stock BP if you have the headspace adjusted for a tight fit.

 

[jay]

sounds good, thanks for the info guys!

 

[trkytrack2]

I needed a gun to hunt with. I couldn't take the chance that the Accura would be in before ML season starts. I'm still not sure i'll have it.

However, I have no problem hunting with the Wolf. It fits me good. Better than any TC, because TC guns have an LOP that's too short for me.

If I was forced to hunt with the Wolf for the rest of my life. I wouldn't be upset.


My Wolf.

You just have that scope on your Wolf for grins, right. Scopes are illegal to use during muzzleloading season in Colorado but you already know that.

 

[Old Hunter]

Yes, I do, but I have a special license that lets me use a scope due to poor eyesight.

 

[Nebraska Outlander]

I have switched my muzzleloader to a 45 smokeless. Lets me extend my range out past 400 and still legal here in Nebraska. As far as other states not sure this would work however it might work in some. Another thing is I don't have to clean this very much any more and the cost is almost or more than half of what it used to cost.

Let us know what you decide on a gun!!

Nebraska Outlander

 

[Brady]

Great conversations guys! Keep the info/opinions coming.

Thanks
Brady

 

[Old Hunter]

Here's my latest CVA Accura MR. I really like it, and it fits me perfect.

The target is my sight in the first time I shot the gun. The three lower right shots were with two scope adjustments. It wasn't moving towards the bull fast enough, so the last shot I moved it a bunch, and hit the sweet spot.

BH 209 90gr, Thor 250gr bullet, CCI 209M primer, 100yds, Scope set on 1.5X

 

[sjsmallfield]

Not bad for an old guy. Haha Just kidding!

 

[Old Hunter]

Yeah, but it's true.

 

[sjsmallfield]

Didn't think it would take you too long to respond. That is a sweet looking setup. I keep trying to talk myself into buying one. I already have a T/C Encore so all I have to do is buy a barrel.

 

[BKC]

Yes, I do, but I have a special license that lets me use a scope due to poor eyesight.

Hey Old Hunter, I just read this thread for the first time in a while and saw this. What the Hell, I read your post # 10 and your post # 14 and then I see that you get to use a scope on your ML! WTF I don't know the specifics of your poor eyesight and am sorry for your condition but that justifies you to use a scope on a ML? So you take your handicap and turn it around and now you get to have an advantage over all other ML hunters. How does that work? Could you have just hunted with a CF rifle, where scopes are legal ? I don't agree with this and am not sure how others see this but now I see why you are a black powder fanatic. Yesterday was opening day for ML here in Colorado, Good luck using your "primitive weapon" !

 

[Old Hunter]

Truth is, I broke a rib last week and turned my tag in for an OTC 2nd rifle tag. Yes, i'll use the ML for it. I always do hunt the ML in rifle seasons. I hunted with open sights for 59 years, and would prefer to still do it. Last year was my last year using open sights I shot a cow elk with an old Hawken and a PRB. Target and sights were very blurry, and I told myself I would do it again. To be fair to the game.

I've always hunted the rifle seasons with a ML, because I don't like the ML season. It's too hot for me. The only reason I was going to do it this year is some friends wanted to hunt with me in my unit, and they were hunting the ML season. So, the DOW gave me a license to use a scope in ML season. My eye doctor had to fill out a form explaining my condition. Which is completely blind in my right eye, and cataract in my left eye plus a few other problems. They won't operate on it, because it it goes wrong I could end up blind. So, I just have to deal with blurry vision. It's become much worse in the last year, and there was no way I could chance using open sights anymore.

I refuse to put a scope on a sidelock, so that why I went to an inline. My plan was always to hunt the rifle season with it. As it turned out. I'll be still doing it. I'm resting up my rib, and plan to go out with my friend to help him get a bull. carrying a backpack and gun is out of a question, but I can still hike, so I can help him out. It will be his first bull if we can get one.

Too bad you don't understand the word handicap.

 

[Old Hunter]

Let me add that i'm not looking for an advantage. I only still hunt timber, and my shots are close. I leave the scope on 1.5X all the time. All I wanted was the sights and target in focus.

 

[BKC]

Too bad you don't understand the word handicap.

OH I don't want to turn this into a handicap issue. I just want to know how your handicap is turned into an advantage over all other ML's. If you want to use a scope on a ML during rifle season and it is the right temperature for you then by all means challange yourself but I think a scoped ML during ML season is taking advantage of the system. Take thge high road!

 

[Old Hunter]

I think someone with good eyesight has an advantage over me. I don't shoot this coped ML and better than I did when I had good eyesight with open sights.

If someone with good eyesight used a scope to take 300yd shots. He's have an advantage. I see no advantage for what I do. Actually it's still an advantage to use open sights with good eyesight at my ranges. I used to be able to get on the target much faster than I can now.

Putting all that aside. I care more about being able to take humane shots than what you think. The DOW feels the same way.

Guys using compound bows with sights have an advantage of someone using a longbow. Why don't you go rag on them too? Maybe you can rag on the guy with one arm who uses a crossbow in archery season too.

I think you you should worry about staying healthy yourself, instead of what someone else it doing.