I would love to here your story as to how you were introduced to Muzzy's. My son is not passionate at all about muzzy's because he thinks I am the only one around who uses them.

I am very new to muzzleloading compared with some of you vets. Yet, I am "like"...a little off balance when desiring one, shooting one, and hearing the stories of others enjoying one.

I watched and read this site for quit a while before deciding to join. Once I listened to the advice of those here on BH 209 and my sons first deer, I had to join and hopefully share info that others could benefit by.

My story is this. A young man convinced me to try a Muzzy that used an 11 primer. He told me stories of how in Ohio men killed deer at 200 yards (no riffle state). He was so passionate about their effectiveness that I was charmed to give it a try.

So I bought the old TC and never fired it. When I was trying to purchase powder and caps from the local hunting store, I overheard men bashing 11 primers and any gun that did not use a 209.

Because I was new, I did not hesitate to research what they said. It turns out that most manufacturer's where indeed heading in the 209 direction. So because of this, I decided to sell the gun I owned for less than two days and buy a new TC right out of the box.

I fell in love with the gun (Z7) immediately. I just loved stuffing the sabot, after the powder. I liked the fact that it was up to me to discover the guns abilities. I loved the fact that smoke filled the air making it hard to see the target. I loved shooting 150 yards and hitting a pie plate.

For us Ohio hunters it seemed like a dream to have a weapon that could reach those distances leagally.

I soon sold the Z7 after holding a thumbholed version of the same gun. It was so much more comfortable and the stock did not float.

Since then, I can't wait to fire it at targets, groundhogs and deer.

777 was my go to powder until BH 209. I will still shoot 777 on a lonesome day when I feel like swabbing between shots. But BH 209 will be my goto powder during hunting season.

My friends constituency put down muzzleloaders for not knocking down deer. They say..."just watch midwestwhitetail.com and you will see video after video of deer being shot with muzzys and then going over a hundred yard run and NO BLOOD!

Well, I don't argue with them. I tell them it's just a challenge that comes with hunting.

However, I also let them feel the TC with the 3 pound trigger pull, and they do smile.

No matter what, I just love shooting them. And even if all my deer came to me within 20 yards I will never go back to my sluggun. I just don't like killing them that way anymore.

So I will test bullets, powder and my skills until I can just put them down over and over with the muzzy. So far I have a 100 percent recovery...lol

D