Muzzleloaders, powder type, bullet selection, talk, and other "stuff".

Thinking of picking up a Muzzleloader for the 2 week season that follows the regular firearms season (ends on 11/27 here in ME). Any recommendations for a decent setup. Not looking for top of the line or something on the bottom. Been eyeballing the TC Impact SB as it come with nice sights. Don't need a scope here as were heavily forested. Average deer is shot at 30yds.

 

Tc impact should do you well. I got muzzleloader to extend my hunting and only use it now thru general gun. Love muzzleloader

 

That TC would probably be a good one

Muzzle loader is my favorite time to hunt

 

Older T/C Hawken .50cal percussion with patched round balls; took another doe earlier this season. I wanted to use the Old Army but she walked up close and started to get spooked when I went to draw it from its holster so I used the rifle again.

 

Check shooting smokeless through Hankins Precision muzzleloaders. I am shooting full bore / patchless / sabot-less, 300gr .50 cal Hornady FTX bullets, on 77gr of IMR4198, through my CVA Apex .50 muzzleloader barrel with only the addition of Hankins’ breech plug. However, unless I can source a .45-70 Apex barrel, I am looking at his CVA Scout conversion or something based on a 700 action. However, Hankins recommends a far lower volume of IMR4198.
My goal being, to shoot accurately out to 500yds, while still retaining deer killing energy upon arrival.
Bonus goal: Use gucci, Form 1, silencer components to build a moderator welded to the end of its barrel. To remain within the law, each individual would need to do their welding. Because I doubt you’ll find any professional who will weld it for you? However, the ATF has already ruled muzzleloaders with permanently attached moderators legal. See: SilencerCo’s Maxim 50.
https://hanksprecisiongunparts.com/p/cva-scout-v2-converted-to-muzzleloader-complete-kit

 

My son and I both have Knight Bighorn’s in 50 cal. Both were auction finds. Mine is the classic black stock blued barrel that I got for $100 had never been fired. His was thumb hole stock with stainless barrel. Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation commemorative edition. Got his for $125. We shoot Hornady SST saboted rounds over 90gr pyrodex pellets, ignited by musket caps. Both guns are open sights (Washington does not allow scopes or 209 caps). Both put a nice 50 cal hole right down the middle of the target at 100 yds.

 

I've never understood the no scope rule, but that's just me.

 

Yeah, it’s part of the states desire to adhere to the spirit of a primitive weapons philosophy. They have been open to the option of 1x optics…but in their language it’s very clear that the reason they would not allow higher powers, is because it would increase the number of animals harvested. On the West side of the cascades it’s not really an issue as the woods are so thick it hard to find a shot beyond a 100 yards. East side, depending on where you go is a little different story.

 

I love knights bighorn , really want one in the wood stock with the green and red

 

The bighorn is nicely crafted. It is well balanced and accurate. Quality is evident, from the Green Mountain Barrel to the adjustable trigger, and the plunger style action with the double safety. It’s never failed to go boom…even here in the rainy Pacific Northwest.

 

I love this one, but am glad I got the lhr redemption before it was sold to t/c. I switched to blackhorn 209 with golden harvest sabots and haven’t looked back. It has mad my blackpowder one of my most reliable weapons in the field

 

i drooled over that version of the Knight, they had it at Sportsmans warehouse just before Covid hit. Just couldn’t justify the $600 they wanted for it. You’ve got a nice gun also. Unfortunately the LHR was not a WA compliant option. I love the way they addressed the threads at the end of the barrel. That’s really my only gripe I have with mine. Cleaning the internal threads at the end of my barrel is challenging. But I keep them freshly lubed which makes it a little easier…still a pain.

 

Smokeless muzzleloaders just keep getting better! Check the, "new Mesa Precision muzzle loader actions set up with a 45-caliber barrel and ready to be installed in a stock. This barreled action comes complete with: One breech plug installed, 25 HIS priming modules, a stainless steel 20 MOA Picatinny rail mounted with four 8-40 screws and two locating pins. This barreled action features one of Hank's Precision Gun Parts new self-timing tactical style muzzle breaks and a loading funnel. We also include a thread protector for those times when you may want to shoot the rifle without the brake":
https://hanksprecisiongunparts.com/...led-action-45-caliber-spml-6-barrel-contour-3

 

Any experience with Gunwerks? Their Magnus Muzzleloader Rifle System seems pricy? However, since going with Gunwerks is designed to leave nothing to chance, for certain people it's worth it?
https://www.gunwerks.com/shop/magnus-muzzleloader-rifle-system-22418?category=43

 

Thompson Center Omega 250gr Shockwave 100 grs Pyrodex

 

Saw these at Walmart the other day. Wonder how that plastic pusher and tip would hold up after a few shots?

 

Have some never shot them, I like my pt gold speers

 

Good question regarding the plastic pusher. I get a smoke ring after 3 shots that makes it hard to seat the Hornady SST’s. They are sabots though so I’m not sure if that would be the same with the Powerbilt. Bore Butter has helped and when I used Triple 7 it was even better. I’d be skeptical with the plastic threads breaking off at least with my rifle.

 

Blackhorn 209 shoots much cleaner

 

I have heard that…I just have so much of the other it’s hard to justify. Especially when everything is dialed in.