New MZ, need help

[BGHUNTER00]

I won an Austin&Halleck muzz last year at a hunting banquet and will be using it for an elk hunt (hopefully in 2008). It came set up for #11 caps and my question to you is should I buy a 209 conversion kit for it? And if so do I also need the universal hammer? I understand that A&H went out of business so if I do decide to get one where should I look?

Anyone shoot an A&H? What kind of loads would you suggest, with CO's regulations in mind? Thanks for the help.

[Wolfhound76]

Your better off selling it and getting something better. I went on a Hog Hunt in 2006 with a bunch of guys and one had an A&H. When he had a chance to shoot a hog his gun wouldn't fire. The trigger had shifted slightly and so when he closed the bolt it decocked itself. He ended up borrowing a gun to shoot his pig.

I tell you this so you know. If I were going on a hunt out of state I would not take it. I still remember the whole problem the guy had getting satisfaction from it. Now that they're out of buisiness you'd be better off selling it unfired.

[cayugad]

Well of course you are going to range test your rifle so if there is any problems with it firiing, you will be made aware of it. I have heard a lot of bad things about the A&H but also some very good things. As for changing to the 209 ignition, as long as your shooting loose powder it should shoot just fine. I would get some loose Triple Se7en and some CCI MAGNUM #11 caps and give the rifle a try.

Perhaps you could PM Sabotloader. I know he has A&H rifles and has had excellent luck with them. I am sure he could and would be a wealth of information for you. Or you can do like Wolfhound said, trade it or sell it as an unfired rifle and get something different. A&H went out of business in case you are not aware of that.

[Wolfhound76]

ORIGINAL: cayugad

Well of course you are going to range test your rifle so if there is any problems with it firiing, you will be made aware of it.

Not always. He wasn't aware of it despite range time. There may be nothing wrong with BGHunter's rifle, but seeing afterfirst hand the issue, I wouldn't take the chance but it's his call. An Elk hunt seems too expensive to chance on a cheap rifle.

[frontier gander]

you cant judge the entire carton of eggs because one egg was broke. A/H has a good history of putting out great quality rifles. I hunt with cheap rifles and none have failed me. It doesnt matter how much the rifle was, anything and everything will break at any time. I had a tumbler break on me when i was at the shooting range. Loosing your ramrod or breaking it while pushing a new load down the barrel will ruin an elk hunt. Then again, so will sneezing.

As for the original poster, take the rifle out shooting and enjoy the rifle. THAT is the ONLY way you will know if the rifle has a flaw of some sort.

I'll be mule deer hunting close to Meeker Colorado this year with my $175 deer creek northwest rifle.

[Wolfhound76]

No skin off my nose. As I said it's up to him. I just wouldn't risk it. But hey I had an old CVA at one time I had no confidence in either. It's long gone.Confidence is everything.

[lemoyne]

My hunting partner has one it offten hang fires and misfires I had to remodel the striker and redrill the fire channel, it works better now reasonably consistant if he primes it with 10gr of priming powder; considering the problems it has it is suprisingly accurate. I always take one of mine like the System One or the Omega for back up but that dont help if it costs him a shot. Lee

[BGHUNTER00]

Thanks for the responses guys. I decided to order a new one. Cabelas just put the Omega's on sale and I snatched one up for about $225, not to mention I used my Cabelas points and they even through in a decent Cabelas hunting knife ($50 value) so it ended up costing me $12 after everything was all said and done. In my opinion a guy can never have too many guns. Thanks again.