Muzzleloaders: what's good or not? will i blow my face off?

[Shipyard]

giving some serious thought to muzzle loading this year to get some extension of my deer window. i've never shot one, know nothing about them really, yesterday i was pokin around in a few shops and saw what - from the internet research - were some REALLY good prices on guns. problem is, i have no clue what the hell i'm looking at. kind of like trying to work on a diesel engine when all you've dealt with are gas your whole life. i know what all the parts do, but...

question is, what would you recommend and WHY? what's worked good? anything to stay away from?

what do you think of the bolt action type loaders instead of break action? seemed cool to me, but also looks like it could be a huge PITA....

anyone dealt with the electric ignition loaders?
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/C ... medium=cse

i also looked at a thompson contender. i know the name recognition is good, but... ???
http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/t ... x?a=687025

[Shipyard]

talked to my brother, he said he had a CVA for years and just last year upgraded to a TC Omega:

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/omega.php

says it was worth every penny.

i don't doubt it was, but it's $175 - $200 more than what i'm lookin at for something entry level. worth it to just buy it upfront rather than sell off to get it later?

[goalie]

I have an old Knight Wolverine that has killed a bunch of deer. It isn't pretty, and it doesn't have any of the fancy "easy loading, easy cleaning" features you get on a ML today, but it shoots straight and knocks deer on their ass with the one shot you get. IMO, you can't really go wrong with any of the modern ones, especially with some of the innovations that make cleaning the breach easier.

Remember, you cannot use a scope on your ML for deer in MN during ML season, so it is very likely the limiting factor for your effective range will be your ability, not the rifle in your hands, especially if you have decent sights installed.

If I was going to extend my season for deer, I would probably just pick up one of these and go fill the freezer. Then again, I've been putting them in the freezer for the last several years with a 220 dollar Wal-Mart .270. 10-pointer, 9-pointer, 6 pointer and a bunch of does and spikes. The deer don't know what you shoot them with.

http://www.cabelas.com/product/Shooting ... t104533380

[Inspiribomb]

I bought a Thompson/Center Hawken 50 cal muzzleloader kit when I was 12. Mine is the percussion cap type. Worked all summer mowing lawns to save up for that. Still have it to this day. Not sure what they sell for new now, but its a very nice gun. It has a double/set trigger, rifled octagonal barrel, and adjustable sights. It uses traditional black powder, easy to change your powder charge on the fly, and will launch a half inch lead ball or a monstrous 390 grain conical bullet. IIRC they usually have a maximum recommended powder charge (120 grains for the TC IIRC). I have seen a family friend make 2-liter soda bottle explode offhand at 100 yards with it. Muzzleloaders are fun, I need to dig mine out and send some lead downrange soon.

[hunterfreakhd]

TC Nuff said.I would also recomend a stainless version because of the temprature changes the gun will be going through late season MN.IMO

[45Badger]

TC rules. I've had a few. Currently have an Omega. It is not stainless, but rather a coating. Seriously accurate and easy to use. Feel free to buy a blue one. If you take care of it, it will be fine.

[goalie]

what do you think of the bolt action type loaders instead of break action? seemed cool to me, but also looks like it could be a huge PITA....

As to this specific question: do NOT go with a bolt. PITA all-around from what I have seen. The break-open, quick-release breach-plug models are abundant for a reason.

[Hammered Squirrel]

thought to muzzle loading this year to get some extension of my deer window. i'v

Not to be a smart***, but if you really wanted to extend your deer hunting window I would suggest getting into bow hunting. Just saying as a suggestion, nothing smartalleckish or anything. Season runs from Sept. through Dec 31st.

My .02

[Shipyard]

thought to muzzle loading this year to get some extension of my deer window. i'v

Not to be a smart***, but if you really wanted to extend your deer hunting window I would suggest getting into bow hunting. Just saying as a suggestion, nothing smartalleckish or anything. Season runs from Sept. through Dec 31st.

My .02

I hear ya... It's on the list... But I'm WAAAYYYYY. More familiar with a firearm platform than the pointy stringey variety. Little too old school for my patience right now.

[Shipyard]

thought to muzzle loading this year to get some extension of my deer window. i'v

Not to be a smart***, but if you really wanted to extend your deer hunting window I would suggest getting into bow hunting. Just saying as a suggestion, nothing smartalleckish or anything. Season runs from Sept. through Dec 31st.

My .02

I hear ya... It's on the list... But I'm WAAAYYYYY. More familiar with a firearm platform than the pointy stringey variety. Little too old school for my patience right now.

[gunforhire]

If you just want to try it, i suggest looing around for a percussion cap style. I got my CVA scout for 50 bucks at a pawn shop 7 yrs ago. It was almost never shot before I got it. I have killed deer with it, but it ain't pretty anymore. next time I have a few days off, I am gonna start a wood stock project for it, as I has synthetic stock. it's a fun way to keep making venison happen IMO

[Hammered Squirrel]

I hear ya... It's on the list... But I'm WAAAYYYYY. More familiar with a firearm platform than the pointy stringey variety. Little too old school for my patience right now.

Yea, its takes some practice to be comfortable enough with your self to make a clean kill on a deer. I do have to say though that having to call or wait for the deer to close into within 30 yards for a good shot takes some patience.

[Rem700]

Round ball or bullets?
Percussion cap or 209primer?
Real blackpowder or substitute?

If you just want to extend the season
50cal inline useing 209 primers substitute powder and either 44 or 45 caliber sabots.
Never seen the need for magnum load capabilities ie 150gr loads as they usually are less accurate with heavy loads, The magnum can be loaded down in the 80-100gr range and shot accurate. All IMHO

[selurcspi]

Shippy, you know you want a Brown Bess!
All that 75 cal goodness in a primitive drainpipe of a barrel!

[Shipyard]

Shippy, you know you want a Brown Bess!
All that 75 cal goodness in a primitive drainpipe of a barrel!

so... i originally set out to find this picture and make some sarcastic comment about if the the funny pajamas come with it...

and then i found THIS

it's like looking into a crystal ball - me in 5 yrs at the end of a loooooooong redneck down hill slide.

Spooky!