What is it about shooting muzzleloaders?
 

Something about the whole deal is very appealing. I only own 2 (TC Omega, CVA Wolf). It is kind of a gearhead sport and you need to keep everything pretty organized and need to develop a "system." Its always fun to experiment and try new things to build the perfect load. They can be remarkably accurate and fun to shoot. And boy do they hit hard...great for whitetails. Just curious what you all find appealing about shooting these things?

slowing down, being able to try new bullets, powder, primers and build off of what ive found. With traditional, theres the clothing, the wood stocked rifle, flints, percussion caps, oil for the wood stock, browning the barrel. Its just a good way to slow things down and i feel i get more out of hunting with a ML than i ever did with a centerfire.

I love that big cloud of white smoke....smells like....victory. :-)

Ido not know ant got my triumph yet. Hopefully by saturday if not monday. I am dieing to shoot the thing.

Well said. Have you changed names several times on this forum?

lol no not many. i had an issue with a used to be moderator and i had to make a new name. This name was made after my 54 cva mountain rifle killed an elk on the side of a steep mountain. AKA MountainDevil54

You think your inlines are a blast, try muzzleloading with a percussion lock or flintlock ML. With the right bullet/powder combo these rifles are amazingly accurate and can cleanly take game out to 100 yds.

Aside from being doggone fun to shoot I enjoy going out the way my ancesters did and using the same type of guns they used to put food on my table. It kind of gives me a connection to them and the kind of challanges they faced. I also enjoy building my own guns.

I began building and shooting muzzeloaders in 1970. I started with precussion rifles and as time went on I regressed to the flintlock. In 1989 I took my first buck with a 50 cal hatfield flintlock. I was hooked. There was a lot of trial and error and I had a lot of problems in the beginning but it was a learning experience for me. I could not find a lot of written material on flintlocks in those days so I am mostly self taught.

The rifles that I use today are well built, well designed and very reliable. I cannot tell the difference in ignition time than with a percussion rifle.

I think I probably watched one too many Davey Crockett movies.

For me it is several things. First I love my souped up traditional rifles. I like to shoot them for groups to see what works and what doesn't.









I also like to make my own bullets. I can spend hours on end making the perfect bullets. I turn on the oldies radio and forget about everything. I cast a LOT of different bullets and it helps to recharge me.
Lastly I use muzzleloaders to hunt with.







I was bitten by the muzzleloader bug when I was a young kid. I have a ton to centerfire rifles but have never killed a real big buck with a CF.
For me the big attraction is to have a hobbie that I can just forget about everything else. I can let it consume me and let the worlds troubles go by.
Shooting black powder guns is more than a sport it is a part of who I am. Ron

It's something not everybody does. It kinda 'weeds out' a lot of other guys, and you are more involved in the process of dealing with the components. However, I kinda think it's all very simple to change things up and experiment. Kinda handy about MLs. In handloading for centerfires, the process can get much more exact.
I also like that there's a bit more challenge to it. You have to get quite a bit closer than a centerfire to make an easy shot. Even public land isn't full of guys (round here at least). And you are probably outta luck if you miss a shot.

idahoron, I also love the joy of hunting and shooting ml. I've got a friend that just got a 50 cal barrel for his tc pro hunter. We'll be playing with it sone. By the way great looking ml and a great looking buck.

The main reason I started ML Hunting is you only have one shot, and being a die hard Bowhunter this was a perfect match. One shot makes you a much better Hunter, I can honestly say since I been ML Hunting I have never missed what I was shooting at because I only take a shot if Im 100% positive that Im gonna connect. Im a Traditional Hunter and I Love it!
My Freinds think Im Nuts for using Just a ML during (Gun) Hunting Season, but they have all come to know that when they hear me shoot something good just happened.
I feel like I stepped back in time when I ML Hunt, My MLers are like good friends, I know I can count on them when I need them, and they never let me down.
(BP)

Hey Ron - those are some great mulies. Congrats

I also love the idea of one shot only. I get tired of the guys who "spray and pray" in Michigan's gun season. The one shot makes sure your extremely familier with your gun, load, etc...
I shoot the Triumph and a CVA Kodiak Mag. Michigan Decembers are cold with alot of Lake effect snow. Just cannot seem to stay warm enough out there with minimal clothing on to pull a bow. The guns listed above have allowed me to hunt more in the late season and know I can make the kill when the animal gets in range. Kinda of extended my season. I too like the fact that most people are not in the woods at this time of year.
Almost has a type of brotherhood. I am pilot as a hobby and pilots always talk about flying when we get together. Same goes will muzzleloading. Two guys who have never met can talk about muzzleloading like they were old friends.

I can't say for sure what it is for me I just know I love it more than hunting with any other weapon.
I'm an inline guy but I enjoy the trads as well.

I like all the gear that goes with it also.

I do like my ML, and I like the relative peace and quiet (and fair weather) of the October Early ML season... but, to be honest, I like hunting with a CF rifle better, and if it were legal in Iowa during a regular gun season to use one, that is what I'd hunt with. As it is, CF's are only legal in southern Iowa during the January antlerless season... and if there are any antlerless quota tags left on Dec 15th, I'll be buying a couple to take south to hunt with my new 257 Wby.

Mike

and the the smell
but most of all ( thats the way Grand paw did it )