Scope's here and on the gun. Laser bore sighting's done. Got another lesson from the gun shop guru, re: sighting in. If it takes more than 4-5 shots, I'll be disappointed. Probably take it out, Saturday. Will post photos, if we're successful...........maybe....lol Cool stuff from you all. Thanks.
I've been using a ML the past couple years during the firearm season here. I must say that I really like the idea of only having one shot, even if it is with a gun. I shot my first deer with a ML about two weeks ago and it was really cool to have to wait for the smoke to clear in order to see the result. I'm not really into finding the perfect load, because what I'm using is accurate enough for me, but I could definitely see how it would be fun for others. It's just a nice change going from a shotgun to a ML, and who knows.... I might switch back and forth just to keep things interesting.
Why do you guys choose the ML over your rifle (if you do)? Just something about it to me. I like shooting a muzzleloader much more than I do a centerfire, and I shoot muzzleloaders better too. Do you hunt - elevated, or on the ground (blind?)? I've always hunted from a stand. That'll change next year though because there's some spots that I can't get a stand but a blind would be perfect. What's your avg. shot distance on game? I've only shot two deer since I made the switch from centerfire to muzzleloader. In '08 I shot a 10 at about 45 yards. This year I shot an 8 at about 70 yards. So the average would be about 55 yards. Oh ya I forgot about a deer I shot in '04 with my dad's muzzleloader.. He was at about 40 yards. Do you hunt the same spots you bowhunt? Yup.
Jeff, I am trading in my 11-87 for an Encore ... cheaper to shoot, more fun to shoot ... more accurate .... who the heck needs more than one shot I can't wait.....
Come on T, that's disappointing. You aren't ready to give up the slinging yet are ya? Side note, I wasn't too far from ya today. You fellas gots some white stuff up here. I'm over in Falconer for the night, heading to Sherman/Mayville in the morning.
Slinging? Not gettin ya.... Yeah, Bro ... we are having one heck of a Winter so far ... and it's still the Fall
I'm gonna need to get one. I have some great hunting opporunities that are ML only areas in Idaho and I'd like to be able to use one out of state someday.
I'd buy one if it bought me any more whitetail time in the woods. As it stands now in PA, a flintlock gets the same time in the second season as a bow. I can out shoot both of the flintlock users at my cabin with my bow. I know guys that have a ball with them, but it's usually cause they are just taking random shots on a wing and prayer at deer after Christmas.
For those that dont have a bore-sighter, you can simply remove the breach plug and look down the barrel of the gun while it is immovable in a vice or shooting rest. Focus on an object at about a hundred yards. Now, look through the scope and adjust the cross hairs to center on the same object without moving the gun. It will get you on the paper and sometimes pretty darn close to bullseye. This also works with bolt aciton rifles, just remove the bolt and do the same. Not quite as accurate as the bore-sight but it is a great start. I have done this with several guns and all of them were pretty close when starting out at 50 yards. Make your final adjustments to the scope while shooting and your good to go.
To be quite honest Jeff, and this is not meant as a negative to anyone just my own personal feelings, the new MLs should flat out be considered high powered rifles. I've never shot one and never will. I love the old Pennsylvania rifles, Hawken rifles, etc. You know, the old frontiersman and mountain man stuff. Why? Because I am a nerd who sometimes feels he was born 2 centuries too late. I shoot a TC Hawken .50 cal (Jeremiah Johnson) with iron sights. I just love it too. Old pillow ticking patch and homemade balls is all I shoot, and they shoot good. Max range that I will shoot though is 125 yards. Although, the 2 deer I have killed with it were both under 25 and one was at 6 yards. To me it is probably a lot like why you chose to shoot traditional over compound. I just don't enjoy hunting with a high powered rifle. Why? I can't describe it, I just don't. The smell of the burnt black powder (no Pyrodex in my house!!! ) and the roll of the smoke on a cold morning is just neat. The deer disappear into the "fog" and you know that if you miss you are done for. I shoot 90 grains of Black powder for my .50cal lead ball. To find the right load you want to adjust by 5 grains (less than that makes no difference), until you've found what makes the gun group best. It will take a lot of shots to do this. Get some "moose milk" recipes off the web and run a patch with that on it through your barrel after every shot, then a clean patch to pick up the residual liquid. I've shot in ML competitions that are over 50 shots and this keeps the barrel clean and consistent. Of course, if you are not using black powder I just realized none of this will help you... so nevermind.
Jim.... My buddy has a Hawken that he re-furbished. Some guy had thrown it away. He ordered a new barrel for it and what he did with the stock and hardware is just amazing. This is the same guy who build his own 3 pc. modern longbows, though. I guess I shouldn't be surprised. I love his gun. May go that route after a bit. I guess you could say I have a "compound" ML?,,,,,,,lol I can hand down all things that don't "stick" to my son. He'll have a great gun collection, one day. Thanks for the note.
Jeff, You may love it and I hope you do. Kind of like I use a compound and you a recurve. No disagreements, just differences of approach/opinoin on what we want to do. Honestly, you made a great analogy with the "compound muzzel loader". I just love the idea that I am shooting my hunting gun (which I have used about 10 times in 14 years) that is the exact same as guys from 150+ years ago. Just my nerdy self. Hell, a buddy of mine at the competitions busts my balls b/c I don't shoot a flint lock. Of course, he beats me with it on most targets so I just have to take it . I hope you just love it buddy, and if you have the time, ML season isn't far away in Ohio and I know where you can hunt
Thanks, man. Like I tell everyone, though. Don't invite me unless you want company! My boss gives me time off when I want it, now. I just have to ask her!
You know you are welcome buddy. Hell, if nothing else, I owe you. You can come see what cold weather is like Edit: only saw 24 in the field last night and one coyote just to annoy me. I let the dog out after it b/c I knew I couldn't range it correctly
24? At what range? Sounding good. Hey, I'm not hard to please, either. Anything sportin 107" or better?....lol
To be honest it was too dark to tell what was what from the house (except deer from coyote that is). Out of that many though, there had to be a few decent bucks. Either way, these does weigh 2X those NC deer of yours Though, this coyote last night was small. Small enough that I didn't worry about my dog getting here pansy butt handed to her. She damn hear caught it too. That would have been interesting to watch. If you want to hunt ML up here just let me know. It is Jan 8-11, but I have to work 10-11. We could have a good weekend though for sure.
I appreciate it Jim. I really do. But, I'm pretty busy right now (good thing). Can we postpone 12mos? I'd like to make that trip.
First time out.....a learning experience. Let me ask you guys a couple Q's: 1. Do you shoot pellets? 2. If you answered "yes" to No. 1, do you experience even the slightest delay when you pull the trigger? 3. If you shoot powder, do you experience the delay? 4. Which primer do you shoot/recommend? Thanks.
