OK guys I live in Illinois and have been given rights to hunt a new spot. Of course in Illinois you have a choice of shotgun or muzzle loader. I've never had a muzzleloader. But with this new ground Ineed one. because there are virtually no options on treestands (I must hunt on the ground) And I have very long shooting distances from most brush. Its mainly a grassy 300 acre field better suited for rabbit hunting. But there are some reall hogs using it asa travel fare to and fro from bedding to crops. I want to buy a muzzleloader to reach further than my remington 1187 will reach effectively. I am not rich so the really expensive models are out. What are some of the best buys (not cheapest,but best value) I can get in muzzleloaders. I would like models that are simple and most dummy proof /any help appreciated.
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OK guys I live in Illinois and have been given rights to hunt a new spot. Of course in Illinois you have a choice of shotgun or muzzle loader. I've never had a muzzleloader. But with this new ground Ineed one. because there are virtually no options on treestands (I must hunt on the ground) And I have very long shooting distances from most brush. Its mainly a grassy 300 acre field better suited for rabbit hunting. But there are some reall hogs using it asa travel fare to and fro from bedding to crops. I want to buy a muzzleloader to reach further than my remington 1187 will reach effectively. I am not rich so the really expensive models are out. What are some of the best buys (not cheapest,but best value) I can get in muzzleloaders. I would like models that are simple and most dummy proof /any help appreciated.
Since you wanna shoot long distance buya Trumph shoot Blackhorn 209 with 120g of powder and shoot a 250g Barnes TMZ or a 250g Shockwave or a 200g SW. Set up 125 to 150yards from the run way. Get a Nikon Omega BDC scope. Easy to clean, simple to operate, excellent accuracy with BH powder and long range bullets. The Trumph is $300 and $200 for a good scope and it is all you need.
Chap
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Chapman Gleason
Purcellville Va
http://www.the-gleasons.com
The only thing I'll add to Chap and lemoyne is to consider an Omega as well. They covered the best bullet choices, the Precision Dead Centers are good too but IMHO harder to get a good load developed in many guns.
I'm not the biggest fan of the Nikon Omega BDC scope due to the particular reticle design, anything with a mil-dot reticle will give you multiple better aiming points -- you'll still need to do your homework on the range to know which dot is which range with your load though.
If you really want to get accurate, get a tactical style scope so you can dial in exactly for the deer's range. My Omega wears a cheap Barska Tactical currently -- a bit of a gamble but it's working for me the last 2 years.
One thing you have to do, if you don't have one, is factor in the cost of a good rangefinder. A bushnell 400 will range reliably to 300 yards. This is an ABSOLUTE MUST for long range shooting.
Cheap is a relative term, but I can recommend the Remington Genesis, and that deal at Cabelas for the camo/blue version gets you the gun for less than $100 after the $35 MFR rebate and Cabelas $20 off.
Put a decent scope on it and you'll have less than 300 in the gun, including powder and projectiles to get rolling.
I shoot the Hornady FPB and even though it is a relatively heavy bullet at 350 gr., with 120 gr Pyrodex, sighted 2.75" high at 75 it is a 150 yard load (3.5" low). If that's the kind of range you need, I can't see how you'd go wrong with that setup.
The only thing I'll add to Chap and lemoyne is to consider an Omega as well. They covered the best bullet choices, the Precision Dead Centers are good too but IMHO harder to get a good load developed in many guns.
I'm not the biggest fan of the Nikon Omega BDC scope due to the particular reticle design, anything with a mil-dot reticle will give you multiple better aiming points -- you'll still need to do your homework on the range to know which dot is which range with your load though.
If you really want to get accurate, get a tactical style scope so you can dial in exactly for the deer's range. My Omega wears a cheap Barska Tactical currently -- a bit of a gamble but it's working for me the last 2 years.
One thing you have to do, if you don't have one, is factor in the cost of a good rangefinder. A bushnell 400 will range reliably to 300 yards. This is an ABSOLUTE MUST for long range shooting.
I have an Omega with a Bushnell 3x5x50mm scope and it is very accurate. The only reason I didn't recommend that is I get blow back thru the breech area and it actually broke or weaken the trigger spring. I had to send it back to TC for Warranty repair, this was after 5 years of use. I looked in the manual and there were no instructions on cleaning the trigger assembly. I think the TC Triumph has corrected that problem from what I have read that Lee has posted, and he use to be a gunsmith. Anyway the Omega is a good gut but I think the Triumph is better, they are the same in accuracy in my opinion from what I have read and the price is about the same, so why buy an Omega if the Triumph is better. Chap
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Chapman Gleason
Purcellville Va
http://www.the-gleasons.com
muzzleloader?
