Well I want to get into ML'ing becuase the way the Regulations are set up here in Oregon the only way I can hunt the rut here where I live, I have to draw a ML tag. the regulations here are super strict for muzzle loading so I have to use either round balls or conicals, I have to use loose powder, the gun must have open ignition, and I cant use a 209 ignition. So my gun options are a little more limitied but I have one in mind that will work. But my question is....what kind of a load should I go with? I doubt I'd want to use round balls so I thought the TC Maxi-ball would be a good choice. I know for round balls I have to use lubed patches but do I have to for the Maxi-balls?
You're approaching a dangerous path Bullet Hole. Many a guy on this forum got a muzzle loader just for the special hunt each year and became infected with frontstuffingitis. If you catch it there's no cure.
What's yourhunting situation like. Mostly stand hunting, or a lot of walking? Mostly long shots 100+ yards or mostly 50 to 75 yards?If we were neighbors, I would probably lend you my TC.50 New Englander loaded with 385 grainHornady Great Plains conicals over 85 grains of Pyrodex RS and expect you to be well armed for up to 100 yard iron sight shots.
EDIT: Almost forgot. No patches on conicals. Most, like the Great Plains bullets, are pre-lubed. All you do is stuff them down on top the powder charge. You need to smear a little lube on those that are not pre-lubed. Plain old Crisco will do the job, or a commercial product like TC's Bore Butter or CVA's Grease Patch.
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My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
Things I've Learned: (1) It's not possible to please everyone, but quite easy to piss everyone off. (2) If you love animals as I do, then you're not a vegetarian. (3) There's no need to act stupid, even if you're very good at it. (4) If you eat right and exercise, don't smoke or drink, you're going to die anyway.
Well if you have to shoot a conical then ]urchase a good conical shooting rifle. Get a White if you can. In .504 and you can shoot a 460 or 500 grain conical with amazing accuracy and authority.
Maxiball might shoot good for you depending on what rifle you select. All you can do it try them.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
Welcome to the moderate powder charge, big chunk of lead bad habit forum!! Seriously, 80-90 gr loose black. Either goex 2f, 80-90grs, 385 Great Plains equals excellent accuracy and good whomp!!
Well heres my deal with the rifles....I dont want to start right off getting something real spendy but I know Ill enjoy shooting it so I dont want it to be crap but At the local GI Joes or just Joes now there was a Knight Wolverine that cam in a kit with everything you need to load, shoot, clean, etc. Including a video. Pretty much everything minus the Powder and Caps until I use it all up but atleast that will get me started since I have a fairly vague view of what Im getting myself into...
The Knight Wolverine is a no frills meat and potatoes rifle. It has a Green Mountain Barrel which is top of the line. It has a Timney Trigger which is one of the best. With the #11 percussion cap and LOOSE powder it will shoot as well as the expensive rifles. They are well balanced and easy to load and take care of. Just pay attention to the trigger and make sure you clean it ever couple times you shoot. To clean it, get some Carburetor cleaner at the auto parts store, spray the inside of the trigger, shake well or blow it out with a air compressor, then add just a little gun oil to the trigger.
The Wolverine will shoot conicals. I would suggest getting some 460 grain .502 diameter Bull Shop conicals. Use a Triple Se7en powder. Add 80 grains and one of them conicals and you could take on an elk with that load.
I have a wolverine. Mine is a great shooter. They are not fancy, but they are a well made rifle that has lasted a long time in this crazy gun market only because they do work.
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
Tell Dan to make them to .502 and you want the #2 lube. Theyare a great bullet. You might also want to pick up a bag of bore buttons.
Mike Ederin Indiana. Just ask for the 1/8th inch 50 caliber felt wads. ( unlubed) $3.75 for 100 packaged. The company is Flintlock Inc.
His phone number is 317-933-3441
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"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, a total wreck, screaming Yahoo, with a big smile on your face."
It's the button you press when you've had about all you can take of an in-law. Makes him or her go away.
It's a round felt wad about the diameter of your barrel and usually 1/8 to 3/16 inches thick. It's loaded between the powder and the bullet to provide a gas seal and protect the base of the bullet from flame cutting by the powder charge. Not essential, but improves accuracy in many - but not all - cases.
__________________
My wife says I'm totally nuts, but I think I'm Semisane.
Things I've Learned: (1) It's not possible to please everyone, but quite easy to piss everyone off. (2) If you love animals as I do, then you're not a vegetarian. (3) There's no need to act stupid, even if you're very good at it. (4) If you eat right and exercise, don't smoke or drink, you're going to die anyway.
Patches needed for conicals?
