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Posted: 1/20/2005 5:09:28 PM EDT
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This is kind of a dupe of my WA Hometown topic, but I need muzzleloader advice. Modern deer is way too crowded on public land, so I plan to add muzzleloading for Deer and Elk next year. I also realize reliability using a muzzleloader in the Pacific NorthWET may require a higher end rifle than in a dry climate. I know the Knights DISC/Revolution and Thompson Omega are supposed to be good, but we have special rules in WA for blackpowder hunters that seem to block out the majority of the inline muzzleloaders I have seen. WA hunting regs require: (1) Ignition is to be wheellock, match-lock, flintlock, or percussion using original style percussion caps that fit on the nipple and are exposed to the elements. (Probably not the new covered 209 style on the Knights, Thompsons, CVA, New Frontiers I've seen) (2) Sights must be open, peep, or of other open sight design. (Fibre Optic is ok, but scopes/dots not ok.). I almost think I have to go Sharps, Hawkens, or as already pointed out in the WA Hometown, 1863 Remington/Zouaves. It's going to be an adventure anyway. If I have to go the Traditional route, where is a good place to buy? Can you buy used or is that asking for trouble? Any advice here on this topic would be appreciated. Thanks. |
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Scrum, I use a TC Hawken in .45 caliber. It likes round balls, and i have installed a peep rear sight. Super accurate out to 100 yards. For elk i would recommend a .50 or .54 cal. If you are worried about the ignition with a #11 cap, there is a little plastic sleeve that slids over it and kinda seals eveything up. I don't use them but some people swear by them. I hunt MA, NH and occasionally the weather gets nasty. I have never had a FTF. Just watch your load chain and keep it clean, RB out |
| A quality Hawken Will do the job. I also like the Lyman Plains rifle (still a Hawken style). You can get them in kit form for a reasonable price. I have a Traditions Hawken in .54 caliber. I replaced the #11 nipple with a musket nipple. Accuracy is simply outstanding. The key is proper conditioning of the barrel and finding a bullet and powder charge that work best. I cast my own maxi ball style bullets in 410 Grn lubed with bore butter and charge 90 Grns of pyrodex. |
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I use a brown bess. Seriously. You have to get really close, like within 25-50 yards for a clean kill, but that .75 cal roundball will drop them in their tracks. I've only bagged one so far but it sure is a challenge! If you know how to use it, wet weather isn't as big an issue as you'd think. I've been out squirrel hinting with the same gun loaded with shot, humped around all day in the rain and still had the shot go off without a hitch. If you want to go "modern" I'd opt for a Lyman Great plains, or a percussion sharps, although a civil war musket (like the zuave you mention) would be fun too. I've always wanted to build a baker rifle myself and try it. |
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I'd have to go with a Lancaster or Pennsylvania style flinter in .50 myself. I have a little Traditions flintlock, but the stock shape just doesn't work well for me. It IS reliable since I drilled the touch hole out a little bigger. Goes bang every time as long as the flint gets spark off of the frizzen. I got shots touching at 50 yards with a .50 ball over 50 or 60 grains. Larger charges might mean more power, but don't neccessarily mean better accuracy. Test different charges and see what your rifle likes. Trick is in bad weather, load your charge and seat your ball, but do not prime the pan. Keep it closed with the cock at half cock. Use one of those quick pan chargers and you can charge your pan in a couple seconds, then be ready to rock. I think an 1863 Sharps would be a hoot. I shoot an 1874 Sharps using black powder cartridges, and it is damn fun! Nothing like that old black stinky stuff! |
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I was gonna' say Flintlock but he specified bad weather and for a newbie to BP a flinty, I think would not do. As he gets more experience, yeah, no prob. Even fun. I use the same little traditions probably as Matthew_Q. Even in the snow its reliable, just takes a fine touch. The Brown Bess I've ever only used on the range and while ignition was reliable grouping was horrendous. But those balls are BIG!. we were shooting (at) water jugs and I scored one on-the-bounce, it still blew up. I would not recommend the BB for hunting, except with shot, but that's not what you asked about. To address another one of your questions, Scrum, Used guns are fine. If you have one of those drop in bore lights you can inspect the rifling. You'll probably be changing the nipple so that doesn't really matter. I've seen basket-cases come back to be nice shooters. Thompos/Center has a really nice lifetime warranty on all their guns, even if you bought it from someone used. Have you thought of building i kit? There are some good ones out there, and as an added bonus you will become intimately knowledgable about you rifle. |
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There were a few inlines that used standard caps. I know some still come with the proper parts to convert them from 209 to #11 or Musket caps. I would avoid them personally. A hawken is the best the way to go. I prefer the traditional styles to the modern inlines. A hawken is a lot easier to maintain, and troubleshoot. |
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I would get a TC Hawken, Renegade or New Englander. Other good choices are Lyman Great Plains, Trade Rifle or a Deerslayer. I would also consider the Cabelas Hawken and the Sporterized Hawken (made by Lyman) I would also suggest getting a percussion in .54 caliber and shooting roundball. Although what I have is a TC Renegade with a Green Mountain barrel in .58 caliber. |
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