Muzzle loader question
 

So, I have a new t/c pro hunter. I am a lifer with the Abolt .270.
I live in Oregon. Lots of crappy ML rules. no 209 primers, needs exposed breach, no scopes, lead only sabots. But I am feeling the urge to use this gun for everything I have used my Abolt for. meaning not ML tag, but regular deer and eld, and maybe bear hunts. I wanted to see how many of you guys have made this switch?
I will never give up a centerfire, but this ML is kinda fun to shoot.

I stopped hunting with center fire rifles many years ago. I have them out once in a while to shoot for fun, but do all my hunting with muzzleloaders. Sounds like you need another rifle..

Need another Rifle??

I originally came from a state that only allowed muzzleloaders and shotgun with slugs.
Back before rifled barrels were introduced shot gun slugs were not very accurate as a rule. I used a 54 caliber Hawken and Renegade. Tuned up and loaded right they do well out to 150 yds. They are more fun than the inlines any way. I live in AR now and on some rare occasions I do get a 200yd shot [ most are more like 25 or 30yd but we have very liberal muzzle-loader laws so I often take My Triumph or Endeavor out, but if I am going in the brush sometimes I still take one of the 54 calibers with PRB there just something special about doing it with a real muzzleloader like the forefathers of the country used. Lee

I gave up the ShotGun and Rifle's 22 years ago. I use the MLers for all My Hunting, I'll never go back! I was bitten BAD! LOL!
(BP)

OregonHunter5

I am one state over... Idaho - we share a lot of the same ML rules that you have actually I blame it all on Oregon - even Washington has relaxed their rules a little also...

I own and use to shoot an A-bolt 270 also... but it has not seen much light of day for over 10 years now... I hunt all season with a ML bt during the regular rifle season I use a modern scoped ML and during our short - very short ML seaon I switch to a Rengade stocked GM-LRH barrel with open sights and shoot lead conicals.... The GM_LRH is a 1/28 twist barrel so I really am not giving up much switching from the inline to the sidehammer...

Suggestion - get another gun dedicated for ML hunting.... there is some really good one out there that will qualify for Oregon...

I dont see much of a challenge in Rifle hunting now. Muzzy all the way. I like the way people look at me at Deer camp when I tote around the T/C.

I am seriously considering doing this myself,muzzle loaders have come a long way as far as accuracy.and they are a blast to shoot also..

I made the switch in 1977 when I bought my first custom flintlock...For several years it's all I used for squirrels, turkeys, deer, whatever...Now I have a .40 and a .54, you want some fun??? Get a .40 and learn to squirrel hunt with it...

I don't just use the flintlocks anymore, just take what I want to...

Sabot Loader

Good point on getting a dedicated ML. i might do the conversion on the encores .50 cal to the legal primers. i would just have to have a seperate .50 cal barrel. then i would just use the one i have now with a nice scope and good sabots. i am thinking about getting the leupold ultimate slam scope. i have to support the local companies.
but, if i do use this ml for all hunts, is there a big difference in performance with other sabots versus these all lead ones?

Personally, I'd look at a Lyman Great Plains Rifle, Percussion in .54cal. deer/elk/moose, wont stand a chance.

let me add, that my success with center fires has been great. im a pretty good shot with that browning. dang nice gun. but the reason for my possible change isnt becasue i am a pro hunter and have killed it all. not true. let me tell you that browning is why its hard to make a change. if i left it at home on a hunt, would be like kicking my son in the teeth. its like a family member. my folks gave it to me 20 years ago.
my reason for the change is, im kinda getting defiant with all these new hunting products. i feel like the smart animals will always have an advantage over us hunters because they are so smart. i also like the long range shooting thing. BUT, then again i think its gone to FAR. you see i hunt out here in the west where its a sneak or spot and stalk. so i am not a horn hunter, i am just a hunter. i guess i am to trigger happy. but when we start using trail cams, scent clothing, etc. you know all that crap, it just takes the fun out of it for me. i can afford to buy all that stuff, so its not that. i just think its great to see a dude pull a deer off the hill, while wearing a pair of jeans, flannel shirt, old boots, and a .30-.30 lever winchester on his back. im not exactly that guy, but you will never see me feeding deer. I am more Charles Ingals rather than Best of The West dudes.
i know some of these opinions will bug some of you maybe, but its just me being honest.
so thats why i am thinking of this change.

OregonHunter5

I use .503/460 grain Bull Shop conicals from the GM-LRH. They are very accurate carry a ton of energy. There is not PRB that will offer the range - velocity - and energy of these bullets. One of the better features of these conicals - you load them just like they were sabots - no short starter needed - just push them down with your thumb and then the ram rod.

Here is a collection of Bull Shops...



The loss going to the full bore lead conical are Trajectory and Velocity - I would really like to say terminal performance also - but in no way is that true.

Just me... but I would not alter any of your guns to make them compatible - I can not see a good reason to cause a permanent change. You can purchase the barrel from GM and a used stock from ebay - in fact I even have an extra Renegade stock - just drop the barrel in and start shooting.

Where are you in Oregon? How close to Kennewick, WA? - I am over there all the time I would bring one over and we could run out and shoot it...

DITTO!!!!!!

After reading that description, you certainly can hunt with me

Since you are a centerfire shooter I would really suggest you pass on the PRB thought that was suggested.

Thanks. whats a PRB? also, is there a .50 cal encore barrel already converted out there i can pick up and put it on my endevor?

OregonHunter5

PRB - Patched Round Ball

The only one that I know of out there is the one being done there in Oregon... and I do not know much about that....

TC is building a new TC Northwest Exlorer ML based on an Omega.. but it has a 1/48 twist...

Oregonhunter5, I know how you feel about all the new stuff out there and I feel the same. Most of the new stuff wont make you a better Hunter or get you a Bigger Deer or Elk ect. But the Manufactures out there want you to think you need there stuff to do so, You DONT! For one a trail Camera only tells you what animals are around at night, sure it's good to know if there in your area, but that big buck you saw on your trail cam wont show during the light, if he's smart. And the Scent Loc & Shield Clothing is worthless as the only way a animal wont smell you is to be down wind, you can be sitting on a pile of crap and as long as you play the wind right he'll never smell you, or it.
And Camo, yea I like Mossy Oak, but do I need it, NO, I could Hunt in jeans and I'd still get a deer, even Turkeys. How many times have you been Deer Hunting and NOT MOVED and had Turkeys walk by and Not See You, a-lot! Like Deer and Turkeys MOVEMENT gives you away and no matter what style Camo you wear you wont be any better off if the animal see's you move.
You could wear Blaze Orange for Bow Season and still get Deer as long as they dont see you move. So forget about all the new products they wont make you a better hunter, and let them other guy's spend there money on them thinking they will. The same as a cheap MLer or a expensive one, do you think the animal has any better chance of living with a cheap MLer or a expensive one, once the bullet hits he's done. So do it your way and dont worry about the rest, and go all MLer you wont be dissapointed.
(BP)

Aw heck, I've got a lot of stuff I don't need. I like playing with it though.

You only need one gun, one bullet, one powder charge. But where's the fun in that?