Introduction to Muzzleloading

[Addicting]

Bore butter is sold as a remedy to fix the hard to seat a bullet problem. It also “seasons” the bore whatever that means.

It’s a grease that builds up in your barrel and makes a mess to clean. Plus if still wet, powder will stick to it and absorb the moisture. You will get squib loads and plugged breach plugs. It is a completely unnecessary fix to an improperly chosen projectile. Guys will argue that it works, but why introduce oils and moisture to an area that has to function dry. If they sized their projectiles and tested they would find they don’t need it at all to load.

 

[Addicting]

Good timing for this thread as I’m currently half assed looking at Hawkens. I think it would be a lot of fun to do some December hunting in the timber, especially for whitetails and elk. I don’t like that Montana added this season, but if you can’t beat them…

A nice Hawken in some snowy timber would be hard to beat.

 

[MTLabrador]

A nice Hawken in some snowy timber would be hard to beat.

I watched Jeremiah Johnson too many times as a kid, but I think it would be cool.

 

[Addicting]

CVA Optima™ V2 Rifle - .50 Caliber - Open Sights - PR2020S

CVA® Optima™ V2 209 Magnum PR2020S - .50 Caliber Break-Action Muzzleloader, Black w Stainless. Best Prices, Fast Shipping, Expert Advice!

muzzle-loaders.com

This is a good place to shop and here is what I would buy if you want a decent inline to start with.

 

[Sytes]

CVA Optima™ V2 Rifle - .50 Caliber - Open Sights - PR2020S

CVA® Optima™ V2 209 Magnum PR2020S - .50 Caliber Break-Action Muzzleloader, Black w Stainless. Best Prices, Fast Shipping, Expert Advice!

muzzle-loaders.com

This is a good place to shop and here is what I would buy if you want a decent inline to start with.

I might entertain that for conical rounds. For the price not a bad entry point for a quality modern muzzleloader!

 

[huntnpack]

Hey I need to do something else. WA rifle deer sucks. And I'm still giving archery the middle finger. I've shot a muzzleloader once in my life. Does anyone know of any decent resources for how to do it? The equipment, the loading process, the cleaning process, etc. KISS, I'm a noob if ever there was one. Maybe an article or YT series. I'm probably not going to go all traditional, sorry @BrentD . WA allowed shotgun primers, and just this year 1x scopes or red dots.

I know you’ve hunted units in Idaho with decent muzzleloader seasons as well. Could keep Idaho regs in mind as well. Muzzleloaders are fun and the more traditional style ones are even more fun. Their maintenance and reliability are a bit more of a hassle but not much. Sliding or adjusting tang sights are a good option on muzzies where scopes are illegal.

 

[Addicting]

I might entertain that for conical rounds. For the price not a bad entry point for a quality modern muzzleloader!

Just keep in mind if you want to use BH209, you will have to change the breech plug to the proper one.

 

[Irrelevant]

I know you’ve hunted units in Idaho with decent muzzleloader seasons as well. Could keep Idaho regs in mind as well. Muzzleloaders are fun and the more traditional style ones are even more fun. Their maintenance and reliability are a bit more of a hassle but not much. Sliding or adjusting tang sights are a good option on muzzies where scopes are illegal.

How much different are they?

 

[MThuntr]

I shoot a handful of muzzleloaders...some new and some old. I haven't read all the responses but I will say to make sure you clean the hell out of your rifle after every shooting session. I have some rifles that will still shoot but I neglected to clean well and have some pretty bad pitting

I still kill with round balls out of my 54 cal and I kill with sabots. Never shot an elk with one but hope to one day

 

[BrentD]

I shoot a handful of muzzleloaders...some new and some old. I haven't read all the responses but I will say to make sure you clean the hell out of your rifle after every shooting session. I have some rifles that will still shoot but I neglected to clean well and have some pretty bad pitting

I still kill with round balls out of my 54 cal and I kill with sabots. Never shot an elk with one but hope to one day

Did you shoot pyrodex in them? That stuff is evil, but regular black, not an issue. It is easy to clean. Pyrodex is a whole other animal.

 

[cgasner1]

My go to rifle is a knight bighorn for in lines. It a nw legal gun so good for Idaho Oregon and Washington. It can use those 209 primes but can’t use that black horn due to the plunger style gun. If you want one gun that’s legal for everything even Montana side hammer season check out the new traditions. It’s a side hammer with a breech plug for easy cleaning.

 

[BrentD]

My go to rifle is a knight bighorn for in lines. It a nw legal gun so good for Idaho Oregon and Washington. It can use those 209 primes but can’t use that black horn due to the plunger style gun. If you want one gun that’s legal for everything even Montana side hammer season check out the new traditions. It’s a side hammer with a breech plug for easy cleaning.

Every muzzleloader has a breech plug. Apparently, this new Traditions has one that is easily removeable. Traditional breech plugs are very easy to clean any one of a half dozen different ways.

Engraved and case colored, hooked breech plug for a long range rifle.

 

[cgasner1]

Every muzzleloader has a breech plug. Apparently, this new Traditions has one that is easily removeable. Traditional breech plugs are very easy to clean any one of a half dozen different ways.

Engraved and case colored, hooked breech plug for a long range rifle.

View attachment 347360

I like I can spin it out by hand and ram some of those cleaning patches thru it look down the barrel see it’s clean and run a couple dry thru it and im good to go

 

[BrentD]

I like I can spin it out by hand and ram some of those cleaning patches thru it look down the barrel see it’s clean and run a couple dry thru it and im good to go

If it works for you - so be it. I prefer the traditional breech. They are plenty easy enough to clean. I don't quite understand the buggaboo people have about cleaning muzzleloaders. It is not a mystery.

 

[cgasner1]

If it works for you - so be it. I prefer the traditional breech. They are plenty easy enough to clean. I don't quite understand the buggaboo people have about cleaning muzzleloaders. It is not a mystery.

No bugaboo at all my guns fire when I need them to. If I had no plans to ever hunt the mt heritage season absolutely no way I would but a side hammer rifle. In line rifle with a slug. Round balls are neat for a sling shot

 

[BrentD]

No bugaboo at all my guns fire when I need them to. If I had no plans to ever hunt the mt heritage season absolutely no way I would but a side hammer rifle. In line rifle with a slug. Round balls are neat for a sling shot

Maybe someday you will figure it out, until rhen have fun with your inline. You have no idea what you are missing.

 

[cgasner1]

Maybe someday you will figure it out, until rhen have fun with your inline. You have no idea what you are missing.

I hunt a side hammer with a 420 grain chunk of lead coming out of it. I’m not into playing wound wound chase

 

[BrentD]

I hunt a side hammer with a 420 grain chunk of lead coming out of it. I’m not into playing wound wound chase

You try awful hard to throw in some derogatory innuendos in every post. So be it. You still don't know what you don't know. Maybe someday you will learn. Maybe.

 

[Bluffgruff]

Cva accura v2 plains rifle, with BH209 breech plug, Barnes sabots, 1x scope. Weigh your charges. 200 yard gun, easy.

 

[cgasner1]

Whatever you buy don’t hunt on a clean gun. Dump 50 ish grains down and foul the barrel before you hunt