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Muzzleloader Newbie X2
First off, I want to say that I have read posts on this board pretty extensively as a guest for the past month and I am very impressed by the knowledge and hospitality by those of you who participate in the discussions.
Now for my story. Up until this Christmas I have been somewhat intrigued by muzzleloading but have never taken the initiative to buy a muzzleloader. Well, thanks to an awesome wife, I now have not one but two of these beauties. First one is the Rem. Genesis that I couldn't pass up on from Cabelas. I bought that one for myself. The second one is a "not new, but never fired" Winchester Apex that the wife bought for me. Another deal that couldn't be passed up. Both are 50 Cal. Because of travel during Christmas I have not had a chance to fire either gun but plan on it tomorrow if the wind cooperates. Since I'm new to this I have a few questions. First off, I have Hornady XTP (240 &300 gr.), TC Shockwaves, Knight hollow points, and Hornady SSTs to experiment with. To start out with I will push the bullets with pyrodex pellets to find the most accurate round and then maybe get loose powder to adjust the charge to fit the bullet. I will not shoot more than 110 gr of pellets, at least to start with. Is this a good method for finding the right load or am I going about it all wrong? Which of these two guns would you guys consider the "best"? I understand that they are not Knights or TC's but I was just wondering what you opinions are. Are there any quirks or issues with either of these two guns that any of you know of? Is it feasible/smart to mount a scope with see-thru mounts and have the Iron Sights sighted in @ 50 yds and the scope sighted in around 125 to 150? Any specific loads that I should definitely try? I would like to try buffalo sabots but have not been able to locate them yet. I have heard mixed reviews on powerbelts. Have any of you used your ML to shoot prarie dogs or similar rodents? This is something I would like to do to keep in practice once I get it dialed in. Finally, With a 2-7 power scope, what is a REALISTIC range that I should feel comfortable shooting a whitetail or mule deer at? My shots will normally be 150 yds or less. Is this unreasonable? Thank you guys tremendously for sharing your expertise. I believe in listening to experience and I am a novice so please don't feel like you are insulting or offending me if you have information that you consider valuable. |
RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
I have had good luck with 100 grs. Pyro-777 in my Kodiaks {same rifle as a Apex} shooting SW's and Deadcenters. I now shoot 90 grs. of BH209
Never cared for see through rings, pulls your head of the stock too much to see the scope. With a 2X7 scope 150 yard shots are quite doable. |
RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
Yea I dont like see thru mounts either. I dont have them on any of my guns, Roger is right it pulls your head off the stock way to much.If your are used to shooting with them then it might be alright for you, but i dont recommend them. A 2x7 is fine power for a ML and a 150 yard shot is very doable for your guns I would think. I dont have any problems with that range from my Muzzleloaders. Out of my elite i shoot 110gr pyrodex p with a 250gr shock wave and its very accurate with that load. There are a lot more experienced muzzleloaders on here than me that will give you some great advice, so stay tuned. Oh I almost forgot welcome to the forum.
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RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
The bullets you mentioned should work fine. And yes, two bullets would be a good starting point. Both rifles can shoot magnum charges. As for which is better??? Do you like Fords or Cheverolets? Maybe a Toyota? All have their good points. Its a matter of preference and the way the rifle fits. I have a Genesis and with 100 grains of Pyrodex RS, so far its shooting about anything I shove down it. The other day I even tried some 200 grain with excellent results. With those rifles, I would pass on the Buffalo conicals although they should shoot ok. I would shoot the sabot combination. A 2-7x32mm scope is my favorite scope. On 2x you do not need a scope as you can see your front sight. Also I am not a fan of the see through mounts. I've had them, but never used the iron sights again, once the scope was on. I would say that on 7x a skilled shooter could do a 200 yard shot. Back in the day we used to shoot 200 yards with a straight 4x scope on the 30-06's. So on 7x you should have a better sight picture. Try some of the Shockwaves with two pellets and let us know how they shoot. |
RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
250 gr Shockwaves with no more than two pellets did it for me this year.
I learn a little something about this muzzleloading addiction every day. I'm also attacking it from both ends, shooting not only the latest and greatest butpercussion &flintlock as well.Casting my own bullets is this winter's venture.The information is endless and most are willing to help. Have a blast. The most important piece of info I recently got was that I was using too much powder with my loads. Ilearned I didn't have to come close to the "MAGNUM CHARGES"that everyone advertises to get the adsolute most from my MLs. Good luck and have fun. |
RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
ORIGINAL: muzzlenut First off, I want to say that I have read posts on this board pretty extensively as a guest for the past month and I am very impressed by the knowledge and hospitality by those of you who participate in the discussions. Now for my story. Up until this Christmas I have been somewhat intrigued by muzzleloading but have never taken the initiative to buy a muzzleloader. Well, thanks to an awesome wife, I now have not one but two of these beauties. First one is the Rem. Genesis that I couldn't pass up on from Cabelas. I bought that one for myself. The second one is a "not new, but never fired" Winchester Apex that the wife bought for me. Another deal that couldn't be passed up. Both are 50 Cal. Because of travel during Christmas I have not had a chance to fire either gun but plan on it tomorrow if the wind cooperates. Since I'm new to this I have a few questions. First off, I have Hornady XTP (240 &300 gr.), TC Shockwaves, Knight hollow points, and Hornady SSTs to experiment with. To start out with I will push the bullets with pyrodex pellets to find the most accurate round and then maybe get loose powder to adjust the charge to fit the bullet. I will not shoot more than 110 gr of pellets, at least to start with. Is this a good method for finding the right load or am I going about it all wrong? Which of these two guns would you guys consider the "best"? I understand that they are not Knights or TC's but I was just wondering what you opinions are. Are there any quirks or issues with either of these two guns that any of you know of? Is it feasible/smart to mount a scope with see-thru mounts and have the Iron Sights sighted in @ 50 yds and the scope sighted in around 125 to 150? Any specific loads that I should definitely try? I would like to try buffalo sabots but have not been able to locate them yet. I have heard mixed reviews on powerbelts. Have any of you used your ML to shoot prarie dogs or similar rodents? This is something I would like to do to keep in practice once I get it dialed in. Finally, With a 2-7 power scope, what is a REALISTIC range that I should feel comfortable shooting a whitetail or mule deer at? My shots will normally be 150 yds or less. Is this unreasonable? Thank you guys tremendously for sharing your expertise. I believe in listening to experience and I am a novice so please don't feel like you are insulting or offending me if you have information that you consider valuable. Chap |
RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
Both guns are fine and will serve you well. I bought an Apex 50 for my son several years ago and have found it shoots most anything I put in it. It has a 3x9 scope on it but the 2x7 will work just fine. I prefer Pyrodex P or BH209, both shoot well in it. 777 seems to form a crud ring even with the 25ACP BP. I have shot it with up to 130gr of Pyro pellets under a 300SW and got excellent groups with it. For a recent deer hunt I set him up with 100gr of BH209 and a 200SW and was shooting around 1" or less at 100 yards at around 1950fps. This is more than adequate for deer up to 200 yards. I have shot it out to 200 yards and usually get groups under 4" with most bullets and under 3" with several. It also does well with conicals like the 460 No Excuse and 460 Bull Shop.
One thing that I found is, it is easier to clean the action if you remove the barrel from the stock, the barrel can be cleaned easily while in the stock. That's the only real negative I've found with it and it's not that big a negative. Enjoy your new toys and remember to report back on your testing. |
RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
Thanks to all for you input. I welcome any and all advice.
I didn't make it out to try out the MLs today due to 30 mph winds. I want it to be pretty calm when I put the first rounds thru them. Might end up being later this week or maybe even next weekend before I have a chance to go. Cayugad - the Buffalo Bullets I was referring to are sabots, not the conicals. Cabelas sells them on this link but they are currently out of stock. I will definitely give some reports on how each bullet shoots thru each gun after I get a chance to do a good field test. Possibly even post some pics of my targets if my shooting isn't too bad. I am getting really psyched about muzzleloading. Thanks again |
RE: Muzzleloader Newbie X2
I have some of them around the house.. they are real good bullets. I think I have the 375, 302, and 260 or something like that.. you're right, they are sabots and work real good.
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