Last minute advice??
 

Dad and I are going to shoot our new Muzzleloaders for the first time tommorow. Been out of ML gamesince the flintlock and loose powder days in the 80's. We both have Traditions xlt pursuits new in the box. Any last minute advice??

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Be careful.
Shoot straight.
Don't load any dry holes.
Have fun.
Love often.
Don't lie.
Check the pressure on your tires.
Duck!
etc., etc., etc. ;)

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Remember to remove your ramrod from the barrel before shooting:D

XLT is a damn nice rifle. I handled one with the thumbhole stock and fell in love with it.
What do you plan on shooting out of it?

RE: Last minute advice??
 

CLEAN them thoroughly before going to the range. Remove any oils from the bores with alcohol patches before loading them. Have fun, be safe - keep charges at a sane level.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Thanks yeah Frontier it's the thumbhole model. I dunno yet. I'm gonna stop at the shop tonight. I mean they'll recommend something I was just hoping to get some advice here too...

RE: Last minute advice??
 

I'd start off with a pound of triple 7, start at 70 grains and work your way up. Im not exactly sure what the traditions max load is for triple 7, so read your manual. I'd also try some hornady great plains bullets. 70-80 grains triple 7 with a 385 grain great plains bullet should be great. I use CCI primers.Its best to buy an assortment and once you zero in with one load, swap primers and see if they help tighten the groups or if it opens them up. If you are recoil sensitive, the Limbsaver recoil pad is awesome. I put 1 on my rifle and put one on my fathers rifle.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Get some 240 grain XTP and a pound of Triple Se7en 2f. Start with 80 grains and see what kind of groups that rifle shoots. I think you will be surprised. Normally, most of the packaged sabots like the XTPs, Cheap Shots, Shockwaves, will get you started and shoot very good. It's going to be a matter of finding the right projectile and powder combination.

So my advise to you is; take notes of the loads that shoot well and those that don't. Follow all recommendations of the manufacturer, swab between shots and be sure to run some dry patches also. Most of all if the rifle does not shoot to your expectations the first time out, do not get frustrated. Don't start adjusting the sights chasing bullet holes on the paper. This trip should be more of a learning experience to get used to your rifle.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Thanks guys good stuff! Dad is big into reloading for centerfire rifles so he is a fanatic about tracking loads and bullets etc.I'll check in the AM for any new posts and let ya know how it all goes Monday.. Thanks again.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

That's a good thing. On a serious note. Buy a big pack of targets you like. Shoot at least 3-shot groups (5 is better). Record the date, range, bullet, powder, andprimer on each target right after you shoot, and keep the target in a file folder or large envelope marked to identify the gun.

There's nothing more usefulthan being able to compare targets after several range sessions. There's nothing worse than trying to remember if you tried a certainload before, and/or how it shot.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Be careful, be safe, and enjoy the day with your Father.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

After loading, mark the seating depth of the charge on your ramrod. This "witness mark" will help alert you to mistakes in loading like no powder or a double charge.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Don't forget: Powder, Primers, Bullets

Loading tools: short starter, ramrod with bullet/cleaning jag (range rod is preferable), powder measure, bottle funnel for powder bottle

Cleaning supplies: wet and dry cleaning patches, breech plug wrench, something to pick the firing hole clean, q-tips (best overall gun cleaningdevice I use :D), extra solvent (homemade if you like)

Other tools: screwdriver for sight/scope adjustment, sandbags/bench rest

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Toilet paper!.....one never knows.

RE: Last minute advice??
 

I would recommend you read the manula and you shoot the recommend bullet and the recommended sabot and the recommended primer at the recommended load, that will get you comfortable with your gun and you should be able to get it to shoot well with the manufacturer's load.

I just bought some Traditions XLR 275g, which are Parker Balistic Extreme and they shot like this:

http://www.the-gleasons.com/Parker_Ballistic_Extreme_275g_2007_07_21_AA5744_44 g_WinchesterPrimer_default%20sabot.jpg

I don't know if Traditions recommends this bullet for your rifle, but it is a great shooter in my rifle,a 2" group, my first 4 shots were all within the bulls eye, so I am very confident in this bullet and it appears to be a good expander. Anyway best wishes on your new rifles and shooting with your son, they is not much better. Chap Gleason

RE: Last minute advice??
 

Gosh darn it men...That was some serious Fun. Started out with Pyrodex pellets (2) 50 grain and some yellow tipped 250 grain sabots. This was just to keep it simple and get a feel for the rifle and get it "on the paper".

Well after the initial shock of the recoil, and bare in mind I do a fair amount of shooting with a 7mm mag, wow! these babies pack some wallop! We got our new rifles with new scopes shooting 4-5 inch groups at 100 yards. We were swabbing every 2 shots. We were to the point we were ready to start zeroing in on the bull, when this fella came to the range with his semi auto pistols and rifles. So we had our time and didn't want to listen to the quick shooting...to each his own. I'm afraid this could get addicting !! !! !! :D

Thanks for all the advice andwhen weget into fine tuning, loads and bullets, I can't wait to pick your brains more!