ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

i was wanting to no some good ways to reduce recoil on my ML w/o haveing to drop the amount of powder or the sabot/bullet wieght. i have thought about a muzzlebrake but the problem is finding one big enough for the size of the sabot and what will happen to the plastic wad when it leaves the barrle and also cost,,so i think that may be out of the question (unless the is something i dont know about out there that will work) so i came here for suggestion if u have any,,

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

hmmm...dont know if porting or muzzlebreaks work on a muzzleloader.......worth a look.......take it to a gunsmith and ask......also...maybe a GOOD recoilpad.....adding weight to the rifle can help also......take off the recoil pad...drill it...fill it with some lead...and put the recoil pad back on....i heard of that..never did it..and couldnt tell you how much lead or anything....and it would mess up the balance if alot was added.......why cant you shoot a lighter bullet? or drop the charge??? i know patch n balls barely have any recoil even with 90 or 100grs of BP........and i have a BRASS recoil pad....but a 350gr maxi and 90grs pf powder hits me pretty dang hard......there a reason why you cant change?? muzzleloaders dont really recoil hard.....sounds like you might be shooting a 150gr load.....which really isnt needed unless your hunting something huge or trying to make loooooong shots.........

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Add weight to the rifle or get a better recoil pad. If you are shooting a magnum charge, load down. I doubt you are gaining much from it. And most ML's I have seen are not that accurate with that much powder, few can burn it all.

Having a faster flatter shooting bullet doesn't do you much good if you flinch everytime you pull the trigger;).

You can put a brake on a ML, but if you use loose powder it may be pain to load properly. Also it will suck to clean because the vents will get fouled, especially if you are not burning all your powder. Not to mention the guys at the range will look at you like you have a mental problem if you show up with a muzzle break on a muzzle loader. And they are pretty loud.

Paul

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

A very good quality recoil pad is going to be the best way to fight this problem since you do not want to change your load. I am guessing you found a high power great shooting load but do not like the recoil. So you want to cut the recoil and a better pad will do that for you...

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

One of mine came equipped with a muzzle brake , and it does seem to help with felt recoil , but it still "bumped" my shoulder a little hard for my taste with loads over 100 grains . Drilling/leading my stock wasn't an option since it's a hollow synthetic stock , so I added a $10 Pachmayer slip on recoil pad , which seemed to help .

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Simms is makeing some good recoil pads .

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Ever tried filling your stock? At the very least some spray foam with a heavy bolt or old bowstabilizer would help. You could also use silicone caulk if you fill it gradually. Fill a bit then let it set up for a few days then fill some more until it's mostly full. I filled a coupleof stocks that way and it helped a bunch.

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Before you start with your weapon, invest in The PAST Super Mag Plus Shield.
http://www.battenfeldtechnologies.com/past.html
330110
I always wear one for load development and repetitive shooting.

For the field if I am hunting with a hard kicking rifle or load, I will also wear the Super Mag+ Shield.

Works fantastic!

If that does not cure your recoil blues, then I would look to a Limbsaver recoil butt pad
http://www.limbsaver.com/limbsaver/home.aspx
and then lastly a muzzlebreak/or porting. Which can be done by a full service gunsmith.

Regards,

Tahquamenon

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

I bought a "Limbsaver" recoil padfor my TC Omega... GREAT improvement! I would highly recommend one.

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Same here,bought the "CUSTOM" fit Simms Limbsaver pad for my Omega.It works real well,but the "custom fit sucks.

Charlie

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Forget porting on a muzzleloader. Get a Caldwell Lead Sled.

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Don't know what the color of your rifles barrel or furniture is, butthe owner (John) at October Country can make you any size ramrod you want out of saolid brass or stainless steel...$20 delivered.

I had him make a solid stainless foran MK85 I had years ago...puts apound ortwo right out under the barrel and it greatly tames recoil...also improves accuracyas the extra weight just makes the muzzle 'hang' on the target.

Have had solid brass ramrods made for all my Flintlocks since then too.

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

Buy the Sims recoil pad. You will not be sorry.

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

I have shoulder problems, my shooting shoulder has had 4 operations to date so needless to say I don''t really like heavy jarring recoil anymore. Most of my CF's wear a recoil pad such as the Simms Limbsaver or Pachmayer Decel which has made them more pleasurable to shoot on the range by reducing felt recoil. I would suggest you look into either one of these options first, they really do work. They have pre-fit and slip ons for over the counter models. If neither of these quite work you can have a gunsmith do a grind to fit for not much more. Simms has a template that you can print off which will allow to compare it to your butt plate for their pre-fit models. The original recoil pad must be removed to get an accurate read on this template for holes and over all size. The other option is take the recoil pad off and take it to your local gunshop(most should sell these pads) to see if they can hook you up.

Another option is buy a slip on shoulder pad for when your at the range, as I doubt you have problem in the field. You could also see if anyone in your area teaches the mechanics of shooting.A lot of people fight the recoil making it worse by simply re-learning proper shooting technique you can also curve that felt recoil some by going with the jar vs trying to hold up to it.

Good Luck

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

This may sound stupid but it worked for me. Though I have to admit it wasn't exactly by design. Recoil used to be something I cared about until I got serious about Turkey hunting. Turkey loads kick like a sonofstitch. My suggestion is to go to the range with a shot gun and about 30-50 rounds of magnum turkey loads and have someone teach you proper shooting form. Once you get through those 50 rounds successfully there won't be much out there you can't handle.

Tom

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

You didn't say what model ML you have but my vote is also for the Sims Limbsaver pad. I bought the custom fit one for my Encore and I love it. I have shot 50 rounds of 130+ grain loads with no problems at the range.

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

I have put the slip on limbsaver recoil pad on all of my guns since my daughter shoots with me and they greatly reduce the felt effects of the recoil. I have not yet put one on my Omega but will when i get to shoot it this week.
I see that bullet weight was brought up on the original post. Although PSE does not want to change, how much difference would there be in going to a 200g shockwave from a 250 shockwave?

RE: ways to reduce recoil on Muzzleloader
 

I did not feel much difference at all going from 250 to 200. I shot both with 130 of Pyrodex pellets.