Mossy Oak Forum / Hunting / Black Powder

M/L Scope

308win — Wed, 08 Oct 2008 18:28:42 GMT

Finally decided to muzzleload hunt. Bought a T/C Encore Endeavor last week and have been shooting open sights. Time to get a scope. I have narrowed it down to the Nikon Omega with BDC reticle and the Leuopold Ultimate Slam 3 x 9 x 40. Any suggestions?

No idea about muzzleloader, need some help

ccoutdoors — Sun, 19 Dec 2010 05:07:22 GMT

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Looking for a Hawkin flintlock muzzleloader.

jb1buckmaster — Tue, 09 Feb 2010 20:39:30 GMT

50 caliber or larger.

When I was younger, my neighbor owned one and all his friends owned one and we shot it many times and I really enjoyed shooting it.

I have the devices to measure out the powder and even the new style powder that is non corrosive. I just don't have the muzzle loader.

I never caught on with these so called modern muzzle loaders and I am hesitant about buying anything else because the hunting season in Pennsylvania calls for a flint lock rifle only.
Open sights - no scopes.

Does anyone have any idea's?

Sabot or Power Belt

kalwood — Mon, 09 Aug 2010 20:30:04 GMT

Which is better a sabot or power belt?

T/C Triumph Advice

kalwood — Sun, 11 Jul 2010 07:45:22 GMT

Boys and Girls, time for some fun.

I recently purchased a T/C Triumph muzzleloader, a gray/weathershield Bone Collector model.

Now, I want to put a scope on it, and I need to find the “best load” for it. Since I can’t really afford more than one scope, I need to choose wisely. While shooting is fun, it would be too expensive to try every combination in the book. So I’m asking for your help, with a little survey. I figure that if I start with what other people have found to work, I can save some expense and frustration.

I’m going to post this survey on several hunting forums to get as many responses as possible. I'm going to gather responses through the end of July. I should have my scope on and dialed in by Labor Day. I promise to post the results so everybody can see where their favorite fell.

Sorry but this survey is directed at T/C Triumph owners, somebody else can do this for other models/brands if they wish.

Question #1: What year and model is your T/C Triumph? (There may be some correlation between the “best load” and the when the weapon was manufactured and the model.)

Question #2: What scope do you have on your T/C Triumph?

Question #3: How do you rate your satisfaction with that scope?
5: I’d leave my wife/husband for that scope in a heartbeat.
4:
3: It gets the job done.
2:
1: I’m getting a new scope as soon as I can scrape up the money.

Question # 4: Did you ever have a different scope on your T/C Triumph?

Question # 5: Why did you change scopes?

Question # 6: What is your “best load” (bullet and powder combination), the one you are using for hunting white-tailed deer? (If I ever hunt grizzlies in the Yukon, maybe I’ll run this survey again.)

Question # 7: What is your “worst load” (bullet and powder combination), the one that you would NEVER use for hunting white-tailed deer?

I expect this will stir up some discussion, so let the fun begin.

Nikon M/L Omega BDC 250

kalwood — Sun, 08 Aug 2010 11:53:52 GMT

What if you don't shoot 3 50 grain pellets and a 250 grain bullet?

Gonna Buy A new Muzzle Loader this year any Ideas

buckskin822 — Sun, 20 Apr 2008 08:04:49 GMT

Hey Guys I'm going to buy me a new muzzle loader this year ..but i only want to spend anywhere betwwen 300 and 400 for 1! Any one got any ideas On what I should get ?

what brand of bullet does everyone use

crazycliff — Sun, 22 Jul 2007 14:56:32 GMT

i use powerbelts

My Blackpowder HOSS!!

BowBo — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 20:11:47 GMT

HOSS OF A DOE, that is!

I've passed on some bucks, and some does.... and I got tired of it! I needed some fresh tenderloins.

Plus, I FINALLY got a nice mature doe to give me an opportunity this evening. I pre-ranged her at 140yds, and then squeezed off my .45 cal Muzzleloader. She went about 50yds, stopped, and then started walking around in "post holes" till she fell. LOL

After walking up on her, I found that I had hit her SPOT ON... through both lungs, with a perfect exit hole.

The picture really does not do her justice, she is old, and BIG. Look at the head on this gal, compared to my hand! There was 2 small bucks and 3 does at the processor..... and she was a good bit bigger than any of those!

gettin' the ole' smokepole ready,so

kyhareraiser — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 19:22:48 GMT

i am just wonderin' at what distance does everyone begin sighting in their muzzleloader.. i'm usind a inline with 209 primer ignition using triple7 50 grain pellets (2) and using barnes mz 250 grn.sabots.i will only try to shoot within the 100 yd. boundry ,so ,is there a general rule of thumb to go by,,like,' on target at 50 yd will put you there at 100' .the myths we all here and stuff. what's everyones opinion on this.. oh yeah,,what would be the quickest(not that i'm in a hurry,,,i love to shoot) but i don't want to sling a whole box of bullets down range and have only 2 or 3 to hunt with , to get sighted in thank's

What is wrong?

Jenningshunter — Thu, 17 Sep 2009 21:22:59 GMT

I cant get a group out of my TC Black Diamond. I've tried three different bullet makers and Many different weights. Has anyone had this problem before? Im beginning to think that the barrel is bent. Any help and advise I would be very thankful.

New "White Hots" pellets or the Blackhorn 209 powder?

rcorley — Fri, 06 Feb 2009 20:26:03 GMT

Has anyone tried either of these powders and if so the pros and cons. Do they smoke as much as 777 or Pyrodex?

cva wolf

texomaoutfitters — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 22:10:11 GMT

i have tc encore in 308 stainless and dont know if i want a smokepole barrel for it after my buddies started pitiing by the pin and wonder if the wolf would be a good choice instead

New to black powder hunting...

dartan4114 — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 23:24:52 GMT

I am going to start hunting our black powder season this year and would like a recommendation on a good rifle. I'm leaning toward a CVA Wolf but I've also been told that Knight makes a good product. I don't have a lot of money but I don't want to buy a bad rifle either. Any help or recommendations would be appreciated. Thank you!

bought the wife a smokepole

matthewbynum — Fri, 17 Jul 2009 14:28:45 GMT

well i went yesterday and bought my wife a CVA wolf she wanted the camo with stainless barrel i told her the black one would shoot just as good but what makes her happy goes a long way. so ill see if she is really ready for this or not i think she is she seemed rel excited when she came home and saw it.

remington genesis

gumboduck — Wed, 30 Jul 2008 13:37:05 GMT

Does anybody have one, from what I have read they seem pretty good. thanx

Pics of my SD Muzzleloader buck.....

Bloomgren — Sun, 21 Dec 2008 07:42:13 GMT

On December 19th I set out with my smokepole in hand in search of a mature mule deer buck in SD. The week prior I spotted some nice bucks the day before season but as luck would have it, the opener was a nasty day with gusting winds, blowing snow, and temperatures well below zero. As I returned on the 19th I had hopes of finding one of the bucks that I had seen the days prior. I was able to find a buck that I had a chance at earlier in the season and quickly began to trudge through the snow in hopes of closing the distance to the buck. Little did I know is that I would come across a much bigger buck in the process...... I first spotted him at close to 500 yards away, actually he spotted me first and he made sure he put some extra terrain between him and I....when I saw him there was no question that he was a shooter. I didn't have to ask myself if he was a buck that I had wanted! There was no question. So the search began; I finally located the buck after following his tracks over numerous ridges and through many draws, trudging through knee deep snow as I went with temperatures hovering around the 0 degree mark. I finally was able to catch up to him and watched him from 300 yards as he and a spike and doe dug through the snow in search of food. They continued over one more ridge and into a draw. I was sure that he would not leave the next draw. He was relaxed again and went about his normal routine. As I neared the top of the ridge where I last saw the buck I took off my pack and began crawling through the snow paying careful attention that I didn't fill my barrel with snow in the process! When I neared the crest I spotted the deer feeding unaware of the audience they acquired. I pulled my range finder to my eye and read 186 yards. I felt comfortable in the prone position as I readied for the shot. I had sighted the muzzleloader in at 150 yards so I knew I needed to hold a bit high. The fiber optic open sights settled on the buck but he turned away and was now facing directly away. I watched him for 15 minutes before he finally turned and was broadside. The sights became steady again as I cocked the hammer and began to squeeze the trigger. A puff of smoke obscured my veiw. When the smoke cleared I could see him laying on the ground! He dropped in his tracks! I quickly gathered my gear and set off to take a look. I new he would surpass the 180" mark but didn't truely know how big he was until I got him packed out and back to the truck. After putting the tape on him three times I kept coming up with numbers over 190"! The official scoring will take place in 60 days to come up with the final score. He could quite possibly be the biggest typical mule deer killed with a muzzleloader in SD and be within the top few typical mule deer bucks ever taken in the state of SD!

I got recalled!!!!!!!!!

Flintlock1776 — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 11:33:35 GMT

Wow, first a climber and now my older ML. Who said it can't happen to you?

http://www.smsguns.com/recall_notice.htm

Pa's .45cal buck

hunt12ga — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 21:24:13 GMT

I'm proud to say that my dad was able to take a nice little buck this morning in Illinois. It's muzzleloader season and he shot it with his .45cal Kentucky percussion rifle. This is only his second deer. The only hunting he does is during the gun season, and he doesn't really care if he harvests anything. He mainly just goes to enjoy the woods and my company.

He was sitting on the side of a ridge overlooking a creek. I saw the buck from my stand and then it disappeared behind my dad's ridge. A few minutes later I heard the unmistakable bark of his muzzleloader and saw the deer take off through the bottoms. I got him on the radio and he didn't think that he hit it. I told him to wait and I got down out of my tree and walked to where the deer had been. I quickly found blood, so we backed off up the hill and sat against a log for about an hour and chit-chatted about the woods, work, life, etc.

We walked down to the creek and had no trouble following the blood trail. The buck ran about 60 yards and expired right on a 4-wheeler trail. He had made a perfect shot. I'm curious to find his round ball tomorrow when we skin him. It passed through the ribs on the opposite side, but didn't make it out of the skin.

It was exciting to me to be there for the hunt with him. It's hard to beat quality father/son time in the deer woods.

Congrats Pa!

rw

Powder

INBowhunter — Tue, 02 Dec 2008 09:01:06 GMT

I got a great deal on a T/C Omega this past weekend at D.ick's Sporting Goods, and am wanting to try one of the cleaner propellants out nowadays. Does anyone have experience with American Pioneer Powder and Triple 7? I'm wondering how they compare to each other, and to Pyrodex. Do you use the same number of grains as you would of Pyrodex? How well do the wedge shaped pellets from American Pioneer Powder work compared to the cylindrical pellets from Triple 7 and Pyrodex? Do they ignite adequately?

Just trying to sort everything out in advance. I don't plan to use this gun until next fall.

Green Mountain .32

hunt12ga — Mon, 08 Dec 2008 22:18:33 GMT

I saw an ad in Buckmaster mag the other day for an inline .32 muzzleloader made by Green Mountain. It was a sharp looking little gun and I think it would be great for teaching kids the art of front-stuffin'. It looks like a squirrel getter fer sure! I don't think I need one, but it looks neat I'll stick with my Crockett .32.

Any of you tried this little jewel yet? Just curious.

rw

Do the 777 pellets go bad?

hunt12ga — Mon, 17 Nov 2008 20:27:20 GMT

Hey fellas... new to the forum-
I got some 777 pellets a couple seasons ago on clearance (already 1 season old). Last year my gun seemed to group fine. I took it out last weekend and shot a decent yet not impressive group at 50y and tried again today at a little over 75y. My bullets were scattering all over the paper at that range. I'd heard people mention that Pyrodex looses some punch over time, and was wondering if the age of my 777 was messing with my velocity. Anyone else notice this?

Time to "PACK a WAD"!

BowBo — Mon, 10 Nov 2008 16:00:32 GMT

Our Indiana firearms season opens this coming Sat 11/15........ and I'll be shooting my trusty smokepole. EVERY deer I've ever shot with it has DROPPED in it's tracks..... gotta love that!

Now let me see one of them "shooter bucks" within 180yds!!!

Powder plus primer-Question

19kda69 — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 14:27:54 GMT

Hey Gang!

I'm new to the muzzleloader and need some advice. Have been trying to read up on propellants and primers. The more I read the more confused I am. I started shooting loose pyrodex with powerbelt and a standard 209. Was thinking about going with Triple 7's or the Blackhorn 209 (loose powder on both). Would the standard 209 primers be too hot in my .50 CVA Kodiak Mag, or should I go with the other Primer, the 209M (I think that's right). My shots will probably be limited to 50 yards or less, so maybe it makes no difference at all. All things considered, I think my cleanup will be easier with either, so I guess I win either way. Any help you can give me is much appreciated.

Thanks in advance.

K

Black Power question???

bowhtr003 — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:21:59 GMT

I've just bought the 50 cal T/C Omega and the Nikon Omega scope for it. I'm trying to decide on which scope rings and base to use. I was thinking about the Talley one piece Encore/Omega base and rings but alot of the reviews I read were negative with the screws used to mount being too long and another problem of not being able to move the scope far enough forward for the 5" eye relief. Any guidance would be greatly appreciated on this.

Let's see your SMOKEPOLE!

BowBo — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 13:45:31 GMT

Here's mine....

(Millineum Designs Muzzleloader)
MDM Buckwacka .45 cal
Walnut stock, stainless barrel, breech action, Bushnell 3x9x40, shotgun primers
250gr Hollow Point Power Belts, 100gr Pyrodex

Loading my Pro Hunter

fourhoof — Mon, 04 Feb 2008 19:56:37 GMT

I normally shoot 235 grain hornaday SSTs thru my encore but my Pro hunter is nearly imposible to load with. It seems like the Pro hunter is under bored. I think I'm going to have to change bullets, but I don't know to what. My normal charge is 150 grains of Triple seven.

What powder do you use?

Hilltophunter — Fri, 20 Jul 2007 12:31:34 GMT

I am a triple 7 fan myself

Scopes??

jbob3006 — Sat, 08 Sep 2007 19:36:33 GMT

I want to mount a scope on my CVA but I don’t know what scope to put on it. Will a rifle scope work on, or does it have to be a muzzleloader scope?

Educate me...

xOZx — Fri, 19 Oct 2007 09:35:18 GMT

I really don't know much about black powder guns, but I am very interested in learning. I figure I'll get one to practice with by next summer so I can use it in the '08 season.

It seems .50 cal is pretty much the nom these days. Fellas seem to run 100 grains but are able to run up to 150 grains of powder.

What kind of range do these have? I guess if you stay inside of 100 yards you can go with open sites if you like?

I s one brand typically perfoming as well or better than another? Is a "feel" sort of thing like bows?

So lets hear it fellas, what do you all know about black powder guns?

CVA Optima Elite...

TacomaHunter — Tue, 08 Apr 2008 21:07:33 GMT

I've got a new CVA Optima Elite in .50 cal MZ topped with a bushnell elite 3200 and was wondering if anyone else here hunts with one, if so what kinda results, groups are you getting? Also, what kinda powder and bullets do you use? I was thinking of using this combo here TC Shockwave 200 gr with two 50 gr pyrodex pellets! Think it'll work?

Idaho Muzzleloader Rules Change

Elk_Chaser — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 11:04:22 GMT

I was furious when Idaho outlawed inline muzzleloaders in 2007. They specified external pivoting hammers, in addition to exposed caps, loose powder and muzzle diameter bullets i.e. no sabots. This effectively made all inline muzzleloaders that I am aware of illegal during the black powder season.

They have lightened up a bit and removed the pivoting hammer clause, you still need exposed caps, loose powder and patched balls or conicals (no sabots). At least my muzzleloaders are legal again, I just need to work up a new load.

Here is the link to the article, you may have to copy it into your browser:

http://fishandgame.idaho.gov/apps/releases/view.cfm?NewsID=4237

Due diligence with a smokepole...

FL_Cracker — Tue, 06 Nov 2007 15:15:44 GMT

Hunting with a smokepole has a different element of uncertainty/fear for me nowadays. Not only the smoke making it hard to see if you got a hit, but the lack of a blood trail can be kind of dis-heartening. With a bow and usually with a rifle, you'll get a pass thru shot and a good blood trail (best case scenario). With a bow, you also have the luxury of usually finding your arrow and being able to tell how good of a hit you got on them.

Out of 8 or so bucks killed at my club with charcoal burners, NOT ONE left any sign of a blood trail and NOT ONE had a pass thru shot. Just thought I'd warn some of you folks if you didn't know. Most of ours ran maybe 100 yards at the most and dropped so you really gotta listen and watch for where they run off to as that might be the only way you can track them. If you don't find anything it doesn't mean you didn't hit them. Keep one loaded as they might not even know you're there as my buddy Vance jumped three deer up that had bedded down next to the 6 point he killed Saturday.

I missed twice on a buck at over 150 yards and spent about 10 hours total searching high and low for any kind of sign of him. It wasn't until my buddy saw the same buck Saturday afternoon that I felt better.

Anyway, just something to think about.... I've shot thousands of rounds with muzzleloaders and I think it's extremely important to be confident in your own shooting ability and to not give up hope, even if you think you might've missed, because there's a good chance you didn't and that deer is holed up some where dead or dying.

TC Triumph sights

bbarke8 — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 16:17:29 GMT

How do you remove the iron sights from a TC Triumph. I removed the screw on the rear sight and it would not budge. Am i missing something, I didn't even try the front one. Can anyone help me. email wcbarker@moradnet.ca THANX

Traditions Pursuit Thumbhole XLT

JDK — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 23:06:42 GMT

Got me a Traditions pursuit thumbhole xlt from my wife and kids for Christmas. Haven't shot it yet. Anybody got one and if so what kind of bullets and charges are you using. Can't decide what scope to use either.

NJ Limitations

Flintlock1776 — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 18:07:05 GMT

Off their web page:

The recently introduced electronic ignition muzzleloading rifle is not legal for hunting in New Jersey. Additionally, some muzzleloader manufacturers advertise their rifles are capable of using modern smokeless gunpowder. However, the use of smokeless gunpowder in muzzleloading rifles is not legal in New Jersey. Hunters are advised to seek guidance from the Division by calling 609-292-6685 before purchasing any new technology firearm for use in New Jersey hunting seasons.

SMOKEPOLE SHRAPNEL!

BowBo — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:51:41 GMT

(Bloomington, Indiana newspaper)

DELANEY CREEK BOTTOMS — Derrick W. Edwards of Indianapolis was injured when his muzzleloader exploded after he finished deer hunting Sunday in Washington County.

Edwards, 46, suffered a laceration to his left forearm, and was treated and released at Schneck Medical Center in Seymour.

He was injured while attempting to unload his .54-caliber muzzleloader at the end of his hunt.

“Derrick W. Edwards also told investigators that he had loaded the muzzleloader with modern smokeless gunpowder instead of the required black powder,” according to an Indiana Conservation Officers news release. “Conservation officers recovered the firearm from Mr. Edwards and located pieces of the gun driven as deep as 7 inches into the ground at the accident scene.”

Officials warned muzzleloaders should always be loaded with black powder or the appropriate substitute, saying they are not manufactured to withstand the extreme pressures generated from modern smokeless gun powder.

“Mr. Edwards was extremely lucky he didn’t see a deer while hunting this morning,” Indiana Conservation Officer Phil Nale said in the release. “Had he fired the firearms while shouldered near his head, his injuries could have been much worse.”

Please know how, and with what... to load your gun.
He was very lucky!

Hopefully my luck is better with the smokepole this year........

hutchies — Thu, 19 Jul 2007 12:47:47 GMT

I have shot at a bunch of deer, bobcat, pig..........and never hit one with the smoker. Put me on a rifle or bow and I'm a killin machine but the smokepole will humble me.

ML at Cabelas

Mike_K — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 21:13:45 GMT

Cabelas has a CVA .50 cal/24"BBL/209 Ignition/fiber-optic sight for 99 bucks with the kit its 129. Is this a good deal and what all comes in the kit. I dont know much about these but I want to get one thats easy to use and isnt a fortune.