I was reading through my American Hunter magazine today (July 07 edition), and saw a couple new muzzleloaders that redefine what I've ever seen for a muzzleloader.
The first is produced by Traditions, and is called the Express Double. It goes for $1600-1750 depending on the configuration, but it's basically like an over/under shotgun, but with 2 rifled barrels. To me, muzzleloaders have their place as a one shot opportunity rifle, so this is definitely something new that I wouldn't be suprised to see some legislation about when it comes to hunting to keep it that way. Here's the link to that one:
The other one that made me stop and think was one produced by CVA called the Electra. It uses a 9-volt battery good for up to 500 shots to arc across the breech instead of using any types of primers. They advertise that it's 5 times hotter than a 209.There's no breech plug hole to get fouled, it's 100% waterproof, and the trigger is built on a circuit board rather than a fully mechanical trigger, which allows the shot to be nearly instantaneous w/o any lock time. Again, this seems to be a revolutionary change to what I think of as muzzleloaders, and I'm not sure what to think of it. I'm all for bringing new people into the sport, but where do we draw the line? I for one will not own either of these guns, but they definitely made me look twice to see what they were all about. Here's a link to that one:
I think there are already restrictions in some states regarding double barrel MLers. Either can't use them or have to only load one barrel.
Regarding the Electra, it's a can of worms that I have been known to stir before! I have joked about buying one, but truthfully I'm not interested. I have NO PROBLEM with someone else using one.
Yep...I've heard they have even come out with a little brass cap that pops to ignite the powder....Supposed to be more reliable than using a piece of flint, donno if I would ever try it, suppose your caps get wet??? I can always find a piece of flint along the river bank.....
Nothing new under the sun. Electronic ignition sysems have been around for many years and double barrel muzzleloaders for more than a century. Some even couldrotate so the shooting barrel was on top, and some even use flint as the ignition source. Companies are always looking for a product to market or a gimick to develop a market but ultimately the market will determine if the product will survive or not. I don't really have an opinion on the Electra but it does look interesting from a shooting standpoint. The double gun might be nice if your after dangerous game and want a back up shot just in case. Time will tell though.
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David
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Actually double barreled swivel breach flintlocks were being made here in America by 1770...Timothy Murphy used one to knock off General Simon Fraser during the Battle of Saratoga in 1777...Range...300 yards....
Simon Kenton ordered one when he moved up into the Springfield, Ohio area in the 1780s...
I was reading through my American Hunter magazine today (July 07 edition), and saw a couple new muzzleloaders that redefine what I've ever seen for a muzzleloader.
The first is produced by Traditions, and is called the Express Double. It goes for $1600-1750 depending on the configuration, but it's basically like an over/under shotgun, but with 2 rifled barrels. To me, muzzleloaders have their place as a one shot opportunity rifle, so this is definitely something new that I wouldn't be suprised to see some legislation about when it comes to hunting to keep it that way. Here's the link to that one:
The other one that made me stop and think was one produced by CVA called the Electra. It uses a 9-volt battery good for up to 500 shots to arc across the breech instead of using any types of primers. They advertise that it's 5 times hotter than a 209.There's no breech plug hole to get fouled, it's 100% waterproof, and the trigger is built on a circuit board rather than a fully mechanical trigger, which allows the shot to be nearly instantaneous w/o any lock time. Again, this seems to be a revolutionary change to what I think of as muzzleloaders, and I'm not sure what to think of it. I'm all for bringing new people into the sport, but where do we draw the line? I for one will not own either of these guns, but they definitely made me look twice to see what they were all about. Here's a link to that one:
Sorry if either of these have been discussed, but I didn't see them off the bat and a search didn't come up with anything about either.
IMO, anything that requires powder and lead to be inserted at the muzzle end and pushed down the bore into the breech is a muzzleloader!
But every state I have ever hunted in prohibits the use of double-barreled guns during the ML seasons! I have used a ML double (Pedersoli Kodiak) during the modern firearms seasons, which is legal.
OTOH, a PRIMITIVE WEAPON is a caplock, flintlock, wheel-lock, matchlock, crossbow, or longbow. During a "primitive weapons" season, only truly primitve arms or replicas thereof should be permitted.
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"Bitte, trinks du das Wasser nicht. Dahin haben die Kuhen gesheissen."
Here in Wa state, ML hunting regs say no optics, action (meaning caps) exposed to weather (no omegas, disc rifles and the like), only all lead projectiles (sabots are ok), no shotgun primers, only one barrel of a dblbrl loaded. Only a few years ago did they let us start to use fiber optic sights. I dont think the Electra would be permited. All of this I am ok with, but I like the primitive weapons season to me just that. I would like it if we went back to traditional style sidehammers and flintlocks. To me if you want a scoped gun get out your 06 and hunt that way. Electrical ignition is what they use in modern gatlings and such. I don't think every modern inovation should be applied to ML hunting just it can be. This all started with Hawkens and Pennsylvannia long rifles and I think we should maintain some of that heritage.
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I tell my sons that I'm still in my prime. Its just harder being in your prime at this age.
Redefining muzzleloaders?
I have joked about buying one, but truthfully I'm not interested. I have NO PROBLEM with someone else using one.
