Do You Hunt With A Muzzleloader?

[camdog]

I will check back from time to time to see if anyone has returned. I am from Vermont and glad to be here on this site. I am hoping for some good discussions where I can learn a few things and also send some wisdom of my own. Talk to you later.

 

[etisll40]

CamDog, thanks for the vote of confidence. I want to Muzzle hunt this year so I think I'll go the Savage route. I do like the David Pedersoli caplocks though. I wonder if they or one like it shoots halfway decent. I want to have something of the older period to experiment with. Any ideas welcomed on caplocks too. I am looking at getting a fairly safe one, maybe a Pedersoli?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[camdog]

There is a guy who is a savage fanatic, his name is Randy Wakeman. You can type in randy wakeman on google, savage this randywakeman and savage that randy wakeman and his sights will come up w/ alot of accurate information involving the savage. He is a specialist when it comes to muzzleloaders. Sometimes when I am looking for some information, I'll just type in randy wakeman and the subject. It has to do w/ muzzleloaders and perferably the savage w/ him. I am not a cap lock kind of guy. so I really dont know alot or ant info regarding that. I am although intrested in the savage, Omega and such. I went shooting today w/ the jacketed hydra cons 300 grain and It shoots very accurate out of my Omega. Sometime type in" Parker Bullets" and you will see what Bob Parker makes. He has a line of bullets made for speeds that the savage puts out. The Match Hunter bullets are something else to look at. You will have to check out Bobs muzzleloader page. I dont know exactly the web sites address, I just type in Parker Bullets and that brings me into sites that take me in like Parker Productions. Bob is an awsome man and great person to deal with. He has no problem sending bullets to sample. He has a good heart and cares for people. His bullets are expensive but believe me when i say they are the best. You will need to research this yourself and go from there. Its about 11:30 pm and I have a long day at the pool tomorrow. I work at a spa, nice job. Anyways, be back tomorrow night around 11:00. Take care and keep safe

 

[meatyrem]

Has anyone been able to try the new Alliant black powder? I just seen it on the shelves a few days ago. There is not much the store could tell me about it.

Another question: Has anyone shot saboted bullets through their chrony? As I understand there has probably been many, I just am curious where is the best place to set it, close or far. Do you set it close so the sabot and bullet pass through together?

 

[camdog]

meatyrem, yes I am familiar w/ chrony to a certain degree. Ballistics are very important part of my muzzleloading. The chrony is set close as to never hit the thing w, your projectile. The sabot portion of the test is past tense as the reading will take the first thing through. I would keep it level and approx. 3 to 5 feet in front of the muzzle. Thats what there talking about when they talk FPS at the muzzle, and of course then 50 yards, 100 yards fps and so on. Let me know if you have a few bullets your wondering about and I'll give you the readings. I will need size of bullet, how much powder and what powder. I have a list w/ just about every muzzleloader bullet ballistics going. Let me know if you need anything. Also, I am a blackhorn 209 user and have no idea of this Alliant powder. I thought it was around for along time now. I am not sure. Blackhorn is pricy but I believe it to be the best around and very close to smokeless specs. I just like the shot after shot no cleaning after every shot idea. It's very powerful and consistent. I love the fact that the breech plug never gets stuck anymore and also the only thing needed on the plug is white teflon tape wrapped once around. This too gives it a nice seal w/ no blow back. It's just a good product in my opinion. Oh , I want to mention for all savage intrested , that Dougs muzzleloader forum is a site that is ALL die hard Savage muzzleloader hunters. Check it out. I'll get back later tonight after work approx. 11:00 pm. Thanks for allowing me to share.

 

[Cuda]

I would not worry about Randy Wakeman. If you really want good info on the Savage 10ML-ll go to this web site. And learn the truth about them from the owners. And the best informed group of guys you will meet.
Doug's Message Boards - Home

 

[sofalyr]

I have hunted with a muzzle loader for over 30 years. I started with a Lyman Great Plains 50 cal, actually glass bedded it and have won many shoots with it. One hole groups are expected at 25 yards. This rifle is a 32" barrel rifled one turn in 60" and is therefore a round ball gun. Covered with a patch of mattress ticking .018 and approximately 1.25" square and lubed with crisco (melt crisco, drop patch in melted crisco and remove and press dry with paper towel, put the patches in old #11 cap cans) it is quite effective on elk and deer. I also cut patches on rifle crown lubed with Dawn or Ivory dish soap. Gun is very accurate out to 200 yards but lacking in the power dept although my youngest dropped a cow elk at 170 yards with a single shot. I have replaced the sights with some available from a shop in Pagosa Springs, still just a blade in front and a authentic type rear notch sight. I started with Pyrodex and still use both P 90gr for hunting and RS or Select 100gr for target shooting. No need to clean between shots, but I shoot a fowling shot at the beginning of a hunt and clean after the hunt is over. Guns are 9 pounds. Built a second with fancy walnut. Have used in-lines with and without a scope. They shot great but have since given the in-lines to my sons and am back with the Great Plains.

 

[etisll40]

Awesome site. There seems to be as much a learning curve with muzzleloading as rifles even though there are only single shots and double barrels. I have a hard time deciding what angle to pick from. I don't like the smelliness of them at the range, so that is one consideration. Any more thoughts on that?

I see walk and stalk or tree stands, ambush spots most attractive, kind of like bow hunting but with more range and distances, say up to 150 yards. Typical shot 10-75 yards. I want open sights primarily. Then maybe a longer range option like the savage. If Savage, Savage ML versus ML2, any info on the differences?

Thanks,
Ed

 

[camdog]

cuda; I think if you had read my last message I mentioned Dougs site. Randy wakeman is someone Ive seen from time to time along w/ all the dislikes about him that people write. personally I only take what works for me and Randy Wakeman may have some problems that people dont like like his cockyness and being a no it all but he does know alot about muzzleloaders and how they operate. I take the stuff I need to use and put it to work for me. I use alot of different info out there and wakeman has been apart of my learning process. I am more than aware of Dougs message board thats old news and I still visit from time to time. Toby Bridges is just another one w/ the same problems but one would be a fool if you said he did not know what he was talking about, just like wakeman. Take all the learning you can even when it may come from someone you may not like. Who is randy wakeman, ive never even seen the man. I do know he knows his buisness, and if you doubt that you better get back to the basics because if you dont know it then what do you know. I'll end there and the next time someone ask me a question like etis1140 did regarding the savage I'll send them to you.

 

[camdog]

Hey Cuda, if you read my last message accurately you would have seen that i already mentioned Dougs message board. Good thing your of such help. I was just trying to help out etis1140 when he asked me about savages. I sent him in the direction that to my knowledge knows the best about them and thats wakeman and Dougs site. If you think wakeman dont know his buisness when it comes to this subject then your knowledge of muzzleloading needs work. I know alot of people dont like Randy Wakeman or Toby bridges but one would be a fool to not take advantage of accurate info when it's offered. I was only trying to point someone in a good direction but the next time someone asks about the savage I'll send them to you, hows that.

 

[meatyrem]

meatyrem, yes I am familiar w/ chrony to a certain degree. Ballistics are very important part of my muzzleloading. The chrony is set close as to never hit the thing w, your projectile. The sabot portion of the test is past tense as the reading will take the first thing through. I would keep it level and approx. 3 to 5 feet in front of the muzzle. Thats what there talking about when they talk FPS at the muzzle, and of course then 50 yards, 100 yards fps and so on. Let me know if you have a few bullets your wondering about and I'll give you the readings. I will need size of bullet, how much powder and what powder. I have a list w/ just about every muzzleloader bullet ballistics going. Let me know if you need anything. Also, I am a blackhorn 209 user and have no idea of this Alliant powder. I thought it was around for along time now. I am not sure. Blackhorn is pricy but I believe it to be the best around and very close to smokeless specs. I just like the shot after shot no cleaning after every shot idea. It's very powerful and consistent. I love the fact that the breech plug never gets stuck anymore and also the only thing needed on the plug is white teflon tape wrapped once around. This too gives it a nice seal w/ no blow back. It's just a good product in my opinion. Oh , I want to mention for all savage intrested , that Dougs muzzleloader forum is a site that is ALL die hard Savage muzzleloader hunters. Check it out. I'll get back later tonight after work approx. 11:00 pm. Thanks for allowing me to share.

I too am hooked on Blackhorn and love it. Do you have info on the Barnes TMZ 250gr? I have an Encore pro-hunter 28" ss barrel. Mine likes a tight fit ( bullet to bore ). I talked to someone who likes the Barnes too but he likes the 290gr and says it is way better than the 250gr.

 

[edge]

SNIP.

If Savage, Savage ML versus ML2, any info on the differences?

Thanks,
Ed

The original Savage ML was a converted centerfire rifle that used a cartridge like module for priming.
The BATF ruled that it needed to be sold through a firearms dealer and not through the mail since you could change the barrel and re-convert it to a centerfire rifle.
The original rifles were grandfathered as a ML.

The ML-II does not have locking lugs on the bolt or receiver so can't be converted to centerfire, and they made a bolt nose to accept a 209 primer directly.

edge.

 

[etisll40]

Mr edge,

Thank you. That basic description says it all. I actually know what locking logs are, so I can see how they differ.

My friend has a Savage ML and loves it. He uses some powder called "white hot?" I'll have to ask him again. But his is really accurate and great velocity. Also, he says he rarely has to clean the barrel. I assume it's not smokeless powder but I see why the ML is desirable. They seem pretty safe, either one of them.

Thanks again,
Ed

PS, I'm 54 but I still stay Mr. occasionally!

 

[edge]

It is just edge, no Mr. needed here

If you want smokeless then the next question would be if you like to shoot and tinker with loads or do you want to pick it up just before the season to check zero, hunt for a week and then put it away for a year?

If you are the former then definitely check out Doug's.

If you are the latter then randy wakeman is not to bad to listen to.
He won't put you onto a hotrod load but will send you into the direction of quick, easy shooting with a minimum of fuss using mainly Savage recommended loads.

Now Doug's is more into tinkering and modifying rifles and loads. Advice on swapping barrels to 45 caliber, and converting other platforms such as the Handi-Rifle, Remington, Savage Marlin centerfire rifles into ML's.

The Savage out of the box is a nice clean shooter that rarely needs to be cleaned which is nice when you shoot a deer and don't feel like cleaning the rifle and don't want to worry about rust.

edge.