I got my first muzzy today

rebelmandziukan · 08-27-2006, 09:46 AM

They had a huge sale at bass pro shops today. I got a 50 cal traditions lightining mag for 79$$$. Im hoping this is the start of a brand new addiction for me and my wife.any advice?

Triple Se7en · 08-27-2006, 10:05 AM

Keep the bolt-area spiffy clean or caps/primers won't fire. A good action-oil isBreakfree CLP.

Use medium or high rings with scope to avoid scope burn.

Buy an extra breechplug now from Traditions Inc. It's a problem area.
info@traditionsfirearms.com

Keep a mindseton your trigger-hair/play. Someare 10 lb --other triggers have fired the ML without touching it.

These are all things I've read from other posters about discontinued Traditions models like the E-Bolt and Lightning. Yours may be perfectly fine.

Welcome to the Wonderful World Of Muzzleloading. Any other questions?... feel-free to ask.

cayugad · 08-27-2006, 10:14 AM

Good luck with your rifle. Be sure to read the instruction book cover to cover. Then read it again..

Be sure and stick to the recommendations and limits set forth by the manufacturer on loads,and the powder maker. This is true for all muzzle loaders no matter what brand.I have read posts that the Lightening are good shooters. I hope yours is also. I'd start with some 240 grain XTP's with 80 grains of Triple Se7en 2f and work a load from there. Also a lot of Tradition's shoot powerbelts real well.

As Triple Se7en was telling you, keep the rifle clean and oiled. And good luck.. keep us posted on how it shoots for you.

frontier gander · 08-27-2006, 11:22 AM

yeah make sure you read all of the RED print in the manual. I just found out that my 150 mag load shooting rifle is ONLY supposed to shoot 150 grains max in PELLET form. CVA got a nice email from me lastnight

. 3 years i owned the rifle and im shooting 150 loads of loose powder. I guess i proofed the barrel a bit lol.

rebelmandziukan · 08-27-2006, 12:14 PM

the people(bass pro shops)told me that i should shoot 100 gr. pyrodex pellet form. 150 max on the pyrodex. 209 remington sts shotgun primers. Im shooting powerbelt 145 grain hollowpoint bullets. one interisting note is that they failed to mention or sell me any cleaning materials? go figure!

frontier gander · 08-27-2006, 02:18 PM

150 grain Pellet load. Not 150 grain loose powder. But you really dont need the 150 mag load. 100 load will do you good. I'd scrap that 145 grain bullet and go with a 245 grain powerbelt. Ive never even heard of a 145 grain bullet for a .50 And they didnt try to sell you any cleaning supplies? Boy you got lucky lol. I just use rubbing alcohol and use rem oil on patches a couple of times. Some say rem oil will rust your barrel but i use it on all my guns and never had a problem with it. Gotta try what works for you i guess. 3 in 1 oil will deff. rust your barrel! dont use it or wd40

rebelmandziukan · 08-27-2006, 03:54 PM

my bad it is a 245 powerbelt lol thats what i get for not looking at the package.

cayugad · 08-27-2006, 04:20 PM

I shoot those 245 aero tips out of my CVA Staghorn Magnum with 100 grains of Goex 2f and the accuracy is exceptional. I'd like to tell you how well they work on deer, but the deer failed to come to the meeting that day for testing...[&o]

Maybe this year.

frontier gander · 08-27-2006, 04:40 PM

245 grain powerbelts will work great on deer! lol i got a great shot on a doe last year and after MAYBE 5 or 6 feet of walking she went down. She bled out great and there was hardly any blood left in her when we gutted her out. I was using 150 grains powder but 100 grains will do great. You may also want to try out the 295's. If you experience some uncomfortabl recoil, get a new recoil pad on the rifle, most factory recoil pads suck

davestewart44 · 08-27-2006, 10:12 PM

The Traditions bolt action muzzleloaders That use the 209 primers have a circular spring that keeps the primer from falling out of the nipple.This spring is easily damaged.I suggest that you purchase some extra springs from Traditions if you are going to shoot it much.They come in a 5 pack and are cheap.Also if you use Remington STS primers or other hot primersin these guns the blowback will cause the striker in the bolt to drag on the bolt body and cause misfires.This problem is non-existant with the new Remington muzzleloader primers.