Suggestions for a Knight Bighorn

[hootnscoot]

Howdy,

Have never posted on this Black Powder forum before. My question is this, I recently acquired a Knight 'Bighorn' model muzzleloader. It 50cal, stainless barrel, camo thumb-hole stock. My last experience with black-powder was with a Lyman Trade rifle, ball and patch and black powder. I'd like to get this thing ready for an early deer season here in WI, and to use it in areas where only shotguns and 'primative' weapons are permitted.

I'd like to get some feedback out there from folks that have experience with this rifle on powder/pellet type, charge amount and modern day bullet/sabot combinations that would work well or at least be a good place to start.

Also, does anyone have a scope suggestion for this rig?

Much appreciated if anyone out there can help steer me in the right direction

Thanks,

Robert

[lemoyne]

Mine likes 90 gr 777and 240gr XTP with a Knight or mmp12 sabot. it has been switched to 209 ignition. Lee

[cayugad]

If you have the short 22 inch barrel, then try 85-100 grains of powder and a 300 grain .430 diameter Hornady XTP in the short black MMP sabot. They normally shoot well in the short barrel Knights. Also the 250 grain Shockwaves shoot well out of my Wolverine which is nothing more then a Bighorn without the whistles.

As for a scope, get the standard weaver bases. I believe they are 418 bases but I have to look that up. Then get two pair of some Warne QD rings. The rings work excellent. I like a Nikon Pro Staff 2-7x32mm scope on most my rifles and then a Nikon 1x20mm for the muzzleloader season. Put the Warne rings on them and change them to the season you want.

That's a great rifle. As for powder, I would stay away from pellets and get some Pyrodex RS or Triple Se7en. I normally shoot Goex or Pyrodex out of my Knight rifles..

[Indiana SmokePole]

The knight Rifles are great guns well as you can see by my signature I really am a knight guy!
Like cayugad said stay away from the pellets , gust to expencive . I would suggest some 2fg 777 loose powder start with 80gr by volume and you can work your way up in 5gr increments until you find the guns sweet spot with most all my knights the 50cals is 100 - 110gr Most of them shoot the 44cal .430 300gr XTPs with a Harvester crush rib sabot with excellent accuracy with 100gr of powder.

As far as a Scope I don't have real expencive scope on mine , I like the Bushnell Banner dusk & Dawn scopes they are super clear and work great for me mine has a 4" eye relife witch is perfict for me.

Good Luck and Shoot streight
Ron

[Indiana SmokePole]

Other great bullets to try with proven track records are
250gr 270gr 300ge Speer Gold dots
200gr & 300gr TC Shockwaves
300gr Hornady SST

and if you would like to shoot BIG lead conicals Bullshop's
www.bullshop.gunloads.com
Dans conicals are the best

Ron

[hootnscoot]

Gentlemen,

Thank you very kindly for all of the suggestions. Sorry I could not get back sooner for a 'thank-you', was busy busy busy with the wife and getting ready for the arrival of our first baby..........a son!

Haven't had a chance to try any of these suggestions yet but am heading to the store to get some powder and bullets, and then hopefully tomorrow to the range.

Again, thanks for the info and I'll get back to you and let you know what my Knight ended up choosing!

In the meantime, God Bless and good luck in the woods!

Robert

[Indiana SmokePole]

hootnscoot


Congrats on the Baby Boy!

Ron