I'm a complete stooge with this thing. I love doing research. And, the more I read, the dumber I feel. Who knew there were so many different load possibilities? I haven't had two people tell me to use the exact same load! I think the allure to me is gonna be in the search for the perfect load for my gun. This'll also be the first time I sight in a rifle/scope. My scope should be here, tomorrow. Why do you guys choose the ML over your rifle (if you do)? Do you hunt - elevated, or on the ground (blind?)? What's your avg. shot distance on game? Do you hunt the same spots you bowhunt? Let's get an over/under on how many shots it'll take me to sight in....lol.
I don't get into the technical side of it....never have with any of my hunting weapons. I just use a load I feel comfortable with and shoot it. I like the single shot, kinda like bowhunting. I also love to see the smoke roll......a lot. I love taking the shot at a deer, losing it behind the smoke and then seeing what happened after the smoke clears. Oh....the smell too. Don't know that I will use my rifle again....unless ML is not an option on that hunt. I've hunted from the ground and from stands. Killed from both. I've shot animals from 20 yards to 170 yards. I bet 80%+ of my shots have been under 35 yards. Not always. Lets face it, I've got extended range and an not afraid to use it if I have to. If you do it right.....5. But, it'll probably be more like 20.
Thanks for the vote of confidence, Dan....lol. I'm betting on 5-8. I'm gonna laser to get it on paper. I've got a good mentor telling me some tips (proper seating of the sabot....which load...etc...).
No harm - no foul. Thanks for the answers. I told you years ago, I could see the day when I'd ML hunt. And, I still have the pipe dream of hunting a wolf.
I chose the ML over rifle because of the early season ML here in Kansas. Just another way to better my odds of killing a big buck (still in the stage of wanting big deer, not about how I kill one). I hunt any way I feel gives me the best shot. I hunted a lot from a stand this year, but I also killed a doe from the ground with the ML. I shot the doe at roughly 75 yards. And I will guess 10 shots Good luck
I bought a ML for an extra season to deer hunt. I like shooting it, but hate cleaning it. Unless you monkey with several loads, I'd say 5 shots to sight in.
I cannot hunt with a rifle, here. Really, I no longer gun hunt at all except for Goose and Turkey. I liked my ML for spot and stalk or field edge(ground) hunting. Very mobile and with a 300yard effective range, quite lethal ! I can only ever recall hanging a few stands specifically for "gun hunting", and they quickly turned into bow stands. So, with pretty much all of my stands being able to accommodate archery hunting, my shots with my ML have all been close to archery range. The only difference is, I can shoot sooner, with the added range of a firearm, as opposed to waiting for the target to enter my effective bow range. Most of the deer I've taken with a Ml were within bow range. The last deer I shot with my ML was on my farm and it was a 17yard shot. As far as range cleaning between shots(definitely important), an appropriate sized bore snake and some windex with vinegar works GREAT !! Quick and simple. You may find sighting these things in to be difficult. I got lucky with my last ML and the load configuration that I used, which my scope was designed for, was completely consistent and super easy. Each one is its own animal.
I don't use them.I have in the past but I just don't get the same rush as I do with my bow. I know some that even use smokeless,but only in break over magnum styles.They have been doing it for years. Not recommended if you don't know what you are doing. When I have used them I usually hunt like I am bowhunting,which is 90% of my hunting regardless of the weapon.
There will be a day I break away from my shotgun, and pick up a muzzleloader, or give up gun hunting all together.
Me either, Ryan. But I gotta tell ya, it's so simple - it's cool. I don't know if I wanna hunt with it...or just shoot it! Biggest draw for me is yotes.....then a possible bear (hunting in VA). I'm not SO excited to deer hunt with it, really. I WILL try to take a doe or two with it, if I can get the scope here and sighted in. Hollar at me. I'll send it up there and you can play with it.
I have chosen my ML over shotgun in Delaware for the last 3 years. Why? Not sure. It just feels good and reminds me of a rifle. Also, I can use the same gun for both the ML season here and shotgun. Keeps it simple. The big buck I got a few years ago in Delaware...was on the second shot. Learn to reload fast! I use 2 pellets with mine for simplicity. I hunt the ground and stand. Ground is nice with a gun in colder temps, you can get comfortable leaning up against a tree. General shots between 20 - 60 yards. I hunted with flintlock in PA for years. That is a "real" ML and a ton of fun. I say you will need 11 shots to have it exactly where you want.
Thinking about it again......I think the only animal I have ever killed, or shot at, over 50 yards was my elk this year. 170 yards on the second shot.
Dan kinda summed it up for me to. Im not into the Techie side of things either. I dont Gun hunt anymore but did hunt with ML for years. I killed my first Deer using a KY 45 cal long rifle that I built from a Kit when I was a Kid with the iron sights. I have owned a Thompson center 50 cal Renegade as well as a 45 cal revolver pistola and a 45 cal derringer. All those Guns were lost in a fire in 05. I now have a 50 cal Omega with stainless barrel and 3X9 scope. I killed my biggest Buck with it, a 156" 12 point back in 05 and havent touched it since. I think it was the thrill of the one shot deal that had me for awhile. My son has a 50 cal Omega with stainless barrel, a 3X9 scope and its the camo synthetic stock with thumb hole,,,its a beauty!! My longest shot was 125 yards but most were within 40 yards when I used them. I was currently using the powder pellets (100 grain) and a sabatod bullet that I cant remember the grain of. It drove tacks! Im actually thinking of trading it in on a 44 cal rifle for my youngest son. OH and I was a tree hunter when using it.
Jeff one of the biggest reasons I got started is because a sidelock is legal for me here in Texas. I have a ton of fun with it. It took me a long time to work up a loading is happy with. There are sooooo many combos to try. Mine likes 70 gr of 777 3f with a 385 gr Great plains bullet. Devastating load on feral hogs! I deer hunt with it too. From the ground or a tree. My longest shot was 120 yds on a hog. Closest was 20 on a doe. I'm accurate with it to 150. Keep in mind mine is percussion not inline. Have fun!
The day I can't draw my bow back I'll be walking the woods with a ML. Good luck Jeff and have some fun.
Jeff, I agree - the simplicity. My thing is like you - it's just a ton of fun to shoot or me. I think I could really get into the muzzleloader side of things. Best of luck! I say it takes you 4-6 shots if you have a Thompson or Savage gun. 7-10 if you don't! (how's that for marketing and perception)
