ORIGINAL: RandyWakeman
ORIGINAL: cayugad
I wonder about the actual basis of this quote. I would venture to guess that Doc White was making a point of describingthe enjoyment we black powder shooter have, shooting a black powder rifle. I do not think he was advocating the use of smokeless powder muzzleloaders, although I admit I have not read his book. It would be interesting to see if this quote was perhaps taken out of context for the use of something else.
That's exactly what the good doctor used during his African Safari:
http://www.whitemuzzleloading.com/Docs%20Latest%20Adventure.htm
Randy..
I realize that Doc White used smokeless powder on his African hunt. My question reference the quote concerned his sudden decision that smokeless powder was better. Or was he referring to in his book you mentioned the enjoyment the Black Powder Muzzleloader shooters get when hunting with this style rifle.
I went to the link you posted, that being Doc Gary White's personal web site. I read again about their African Adventure which sounded fantastic to say the least. I also make note of some of his comments reference the hunt.. In the conclusion of his African Hunt comments Doc states,.
Iliked the smokeless because I never had to clean the rifle and the saboted bullet loaded easily without grimy powder residues, but remain tongue-in-cheek about its general use for the average hunter. I had no trouble, having developed a relatively low pressure 1600 FPS load, but found myself double checking with the ramrod to make sure the load column was correct several times a day. Obviously I was nervous about it. Just because I did it safely is no excuse for you to try it.
Because of liability issues I have to recommend that you should not try to duplicate my experience with smokeless powder.
Because of the same liability issues, the White company does not recommend the use of smokeless in their rifles and you void all your guarantees if you do, so don't follow my example. Anyway, if you want a great muzzleloading experience, take on Africa. Take a White rifle with you. You won't regret it.
Good hunting. DOC
In the beginning of his tale of adventure Doc states this,
I also have been experimenting with smokeless powder in the ThunderBolt, but have remained unconvinced that it was safe for general use in the field, where things can get decidedly exciting and/or confusing at times.
This to me would indicate that although Doc White, being a pioneer somewhat himself in the field of muzzleloading rifles still thinks muzzleloading rifles are a fantastic way to hunt anywhere for anything. I could not agree more with the doctor. From his statements concerning smokeless powder he indicates to me, that he is not convinced it is safe for the average hunter (such as myself). or general use in the field. Also in his conclusion, although he applauds the way smokeless powder performed in Africa, he seems to express that it made him very nervous to be hunting with smokeless powder. Or perhaps I am misreading his comments from his site. And as I said before, I never read his book.
So if a black powder expert such as Doc White still gets nervous by the use of smokeless powder and also does not endorse the use of it for the average hunter yet. I will stick with the conventional methods shooting Goex or Pyrodex P, even Triple Se7en with it's sometimes nasty crud ring.. and leave the smokeless powder shooting to the experts.