Muzzleloader recommendations?

[Old Hunter]

I've been shooting BP in competition for over 20 years. I used to shoot 1000 yard matches with a Sharps and am a Cowboy Action Shooter, shooting 2 to 3 times a month. I shoot somewhere around 2000 rounds a month in matches and practice. Granted I shoot BP cartridge mostly, not M/Lers. But cleanup is very simple (I use water and a touch of simple green). I actually think BP loading is easier than smokeless. Think about it, had to be so the cowboys and buffalo hunters could load their own without a lot of tools. I have also never had a problem with misfires/nonfires when I use my front stuffer. Sure its not a flintlock and does use 209 primers, but if you follow a few simple rules, you won't have much of a problem with ignition in wet weather. I use a balloon over the muzzle to keep the water out...remove prior to shooting of course. The biggest problem I have with moisture is with the trigger mechanism, get a film of rust on it and gets sticky when it gets wet. Thats why I'm getting a new M/L.

The big advantage to M/L hunting here in Colorado is that I get to hunt during the rut. I'm not a bow hunter, never was and never will be. The biggest problem I have see is the attitude of the bowhunters, they don't want the M/L hunters to intrude on THEIR season. Sharing with them is ok with me, hell they could even bowhunt during rifle season too. Makes me no difference.

That's a sore spot with me too. The bow hunters get a month, and we get 9 days in ML season. They can choose to hunt with us, or not. They still have 3 weeks if they choose to not hunt with us. If they're not happy talk to the DOW. All we can do as ML hunters is hunt when the DOW tells us we can hunt.

To be honest. If I had my way. I'd let the bow hunters have their season the way it is. Then give us the 9 days after bow season ends, and before 1st rifle season begins. There's room on the calendar to do that. Then we'd be in the rut better, and the weather would be a bit cooler. Just a dream though. DOW never listens.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I'm going to guess they were the plunger type. The have an unusual safety. I bet they weren't set. Muzzleloaders are just as safe as CF guns if you practice safe handling.

It's too bad what happened, but I wouldn't just blame the guns.

You are 100% correct! Gun safety is gun safety, no matter what kind it is.

 

[Brady]

I finally pulled the trigger on a rifle! My dad drew a Kansas mule deer tag so I burned my cabelas club visa points and bought a CVA Optima V2 .50 cal. It's the one with a thumb hole, scope, and the stock is camo. Pretty nice looking to me. I will shoot it for the first time this weekend.

Thanks for all of your help!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Was shooting my new TC Pro Hunter yesterday. Shoots great, but I still need a lot more range time with it.

 

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

I finally pulled the trigger on a rifle! My dad drew a Kansas mule deer tag so I burned my cabelas club visa points and bought a CVA Optima V2 .50 cal. It's the one with a thumb hole, scope, and the stock is camo. Pretty nice looking to me. I will shoot it for the first time this weekend.

Thanks for all of your help!

Excellent muzzy! They are excellent shooters. I use 100gr blackhorn209, .500" 250gr Thor conical in ours.

 

[northeast_hunter]

Excellent muzzy! They are excellent shooters. I use 100gr blackhorn209, .500" 250gr Thor conical in ours.

I was debating between the Accura V2, but is there much difference between that and the Optima v@? I appreciate the feedback on the bullet recommendations, as when I do finally make the purchase, that will be my next step. I haven't had much time to research bullets yet, and have been more into the actual guns. I found muzzle-loaders.com to be very helpful. Are you using open sights or a scope on your Optima?

 

[Brady]

I was debating between the Accura V2, but is there much difference between that and the Optima v@? I appreciate the feedback on the bullet recommendations, as when I do finally make the purchase, that will be my next step. I haven't had much time to research bullets yet, and have been more into the actual guns. I found muzzle-loaders.com to be very helpful. Are you using open sights or a scope on your Optima?

I am using a scope. If I ever hunt CO then obviously I'll take it off

 

[y02MDM]

I like CVA also. I have a kodiak. It is a cheaper model but it has worked out well for the 10 or so years I have owned it. The optics I have on it are were more costly than the gun. I also shoot 150 grains of pydrodex. That seems like alot but it has helped out with accuracy especially at the range. Tough keeping it clean though.

 

[Old Hunter]

I just bought a TC Triumph from a friend. I haven't got to shoot it yet. I need to heal an injury first, but I like the feel and operation of the gun. I just hope I can get a conical to work in it.

 

[BKC]

OH, That is what I used on my latest elk hunt. It likes the 300 grain thors at .501 diameter.

 

[Old Hunter]

Good to hear, but some TC's can get finicky about shooting conicals. The Hornady FPB is the one I want it to shoot. I can buy them anywhere, and are much cheaper than Thors. They also fit when I tried them. The bore has been polished bigger than most Triumphs, so i'm not sure the biggest Thor would fit anyway.

The FPB is a good performing bullet, so i'm good with using it.

 

[Musket Man]

I guess its been a while since I looked at this thread. Im curious what is different about the breech plug for Blackhorn 209? I have never tried it. I have been using 777 fffg and winchester 209 primers. Does anyone know if anyone makes a breech plug for I knight disc extreme to use 11 caps? I would consider some ML hunts here in ID and WA if I could make mine legal (cant use 209 primers in either). As for safety 1 of the reasons I chose the knight is for the double safety. When the nut on the back of the bolt is screwed in there is no way it can go off. The only gun I ever had go off when I didnt want it to was a remington 700. Luckily no one was hurt.

 

[Muleys 24/7]

I believe the breach plug for blackhorn 209 has a bigger hole going from primer to powder.

 

[Drhorsepower]

I guess its been a while since I looked at this thread. Im curious what is different about the breech plug for Blackhorn 209? I have never tried it. I have been using 777 fffg and winchester 209 primers. Does anyone know if anyone makes a breech plug for I knight disc extreme to use 11 caps? I would consider some ML hunts here in ID and WA if I could make mine legal (cant use 209 primers in either). As for safety 1 of the reasons I chose the knight is for the double safety. When the nut on the back of the bolt is screwed in there is no way it can go off. The only gun I ever had go off when I didnt want it to was a remington 700. Luckily no one was hurt.

Musket, this is exact reason I bought the disc extreme.

http://www.knightrifles.com/western-conversion-kit/

I can use it in every state I might hunt in the future.

Maybe umpqua can comment on the two different breech plugs, I believe he has both setups on his.

 

[Musket Man]

Thanks DR! Thats just what I been looking for. I looked some a while back but I think it was around when Knight went under so prob why I didnt get very far. I have been very happy with my Disc Extreme. After we threw it in a bathtub for 40 minutes and it fired perfectly I was sold on it! And that was after hunting in the rain for 2 days with it! I did that just because Knight said it would still fire and my friend said it wouldnt. This friend has a knight original disc and it delay fired after 1 day of rain on this same hunt. After our testing on mine he bought a disc extreme conversion kit on the way home. I still say Knight owes me a commission on that sale

 

[Musket Man]

Another question. What is the difference between a #11 and a Musket cap? The only experience I have with this is a replica pistol I have that uses #11's. I cant remember what its a replica of right now, lol, but its fun to shoot! What would be better or what are the pros/cons of either?

 

[Old Hunter]

The musket cap is bigger with a hotter and longer spark than a normal #11 cap. The #11 magnum caps have a spark as hot as a musket cap, but it's not as long a flame.

 

[Musket Man]

So the musket cap would be the better choice? Bigger sounds better to me lol

 

[Old Hunter]

It's kind of a mixed thing. Some don't bother with musket caps. I'm one of those, because I don't have a problem with ignition on sidelocks. Sometimes musket caps are harder to find than #11 caps, and I heard a rumor that musket caps aren't as hot as they used to be, but you know how rumors are.

 

[Musket Man]

Conversion kit is ordered! Think I will get both and try them out. Now I have to look into ML hunts around here! Havent considered them much before since my ML wasnt legal here. This opens up all kinds of new possibilities!!!