Thread: Anyone out there into Muzzleloading?

Hi all,
After an unsuccessful year of deer hunting in Minnesota, I decided to look into Muzzleloaders. In Minnesota, the Muzzleload season runs from Nov 26-Dec 11. I talked to a friend that muzzleloads and also someone at work, and they both love it, and said that if you aren't bothered by the cold, go for it. I am told that not as many people do it, so WMAs are less crowded, however the deer can be picked over by that time.

Cabelas is running a special on a gun called a Traditions Canyon. It's a .50 CAL and for $179, you get the gun, the case, and a starter kit. It sounds like a pretty good deal to me. Does anyone have any advice on what to look for in a Muzzleloader? I own an 12 GA, 30.06 and .22, and was able to make educated purchases, but muzzleloading is a whole new ballgame for me.

Thanks,
Jim

OY, I know a bit about the older versions, as in I have a .50 cal Flintlock Pennsylvania Long made by Traditions that is a ton of fun, I also have a .50 cal Hawkins, an old one from CVA that is a Percussion Side-lock that is a bit more of a hunter... I would not consider either of them as a serious hunter at any range over 75 yards myself.. They also get very un-reliable in the cold and wet conditions...
So there is a bit of a challenge, and a link to the past, I only hunted with the Hawkins for Elk in Colorado but it was dang well freezing and I never got close enough to try for a shot

I have no knowledge of the newer 209 ignition systems other than what I read, they seem to be almost a Hybrid of a Muzzleloader and a Centerfire in my eyes.. I know they claim some impressive groups out to 200 yards, but I have never tried them...
Sorry I could not be more help

yes i have a cva inline 50 cal . it will shoot 150 grains of black powder but it has a better patern with 100 grain and has a 100 yard kill zone in the rain i turn the gun upside down with the barrel down ,and it is a blast to hunt with, over the years i have taken about 12 deer with it.

I'm a bow guy when it comes to deer but I did use a friend's muzzleloader once back in the 80s. Someday I'll get into it I suspect but I'm more focused on upland birds these days, with a nice 28 gauge double.

It really depends on how interested you are in the historical aspect as opposed to just extending your hunting season. I started with muzzleloaders as a way to extend my hunting season, back before modern inlines. It has been an absolute game changer for me. I no longer own any modern firearms, and in fact, muzzleloading has sparked an interest in historical reenacting.

You can usually find me in the woods with my fowling piece. It's a 20-bore (.62 caliber) flintlock with a 42" barrel. Of course for deer I load with a round ball with flax tow for wadding. For birds or small game I load shot with the same tow wadding. It's only a 50-yard gun, but for NJ whitetails, that's all I need.

Originally Posted by fyrfyter43

It really depends on how interested you are in the historical aspect as opposed to just extending your hunting season. I started with muzzleloaders as a way to extend my hunting season, back before modern inlines. It has been an absolute game changer for me. I no longer own any modern firearms, and in fact, muzzleloading has sparked an interest in historical reenacting.

You can usually find me in the woods with my fowling piece. It's a 20-bore (.62 caliber) flintlock with a 42" barrel. Of course for deer I load with a round ball with flax tow for wadding. For birds or small game I load shot with the same tow wadding. It's only a 50-yard gun, but for NJ whitetails, that's all I need.

My goodness that's gorgeous...you almost want to lick it!

Originally Posted by fyrfyter43

You can usually find me in the woods with my fowling piece. It's a 20-bore (.62 caliber) flintlock with a 42" barrel. Of course for deer I load with a round ball with flax tow for wadding. For birds or small game I load shot with the same tow wadding. It's only a 50-yard gun, but for NJ whitetails, that's all I need.

fyrfyter43,

I'm not even a hunter, but that gun is absolutely stunning. Makes me want to take up muzzleloading. Nicely done, sir!

If you get into muzzleloading and want to use a roundball and black powder ( not substitutes) you should look into the Dutch Shultz black powder accuracy secrets. He has some good stuff to pass along.

Originally Posted by fyrfyter43

It really depends on how interested you are in the historical aspect as opposed to just extending your hunting season. I started with muzzleloaders as a way to extend my hunting season, back before modern inlines. It has been an absolute game changer for me. I no longer own any modern firearms, and in fact, muzzleloading has sparked an interest in historical reenacting.

You can usually find me in the woods with my fowling piece. It's a 20-bore (.62 caliber) flintlock with a 42" barrel. Of course for deer I load with a round ball with flax tow for wadding. For birds or small game I load shot with the same tow wadding. It's only a 50-yard gun, but for NJ whitetails, that's all I need.

Is that a left handed flintlock, or is the pic reversed?

By the way, despite what a lot of folks think about muzzleloaders (and specifically flintlocks), they are very reliable. I've hunted in all kinds of weather from September squirrels - mid February late deer season, including rain, snow, sleet, and freezing rain with a flintlock. I've only had one misfire, and that was my own fault. I brought my gun inside the warm house overnight with a charge in the barrel. The change in temperature caused condensation in the bore, which wet my powder.