Muzzle loader question
#1
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 138
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 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.
#4
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2005
Posts: 6,585
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
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
#6
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 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...
#9
Giant Nontypical
Join Date: Nov 2004
Posts: 5,425
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...
I don't just use the flintlocks anymore, just take what I want to...
#10
Fork Horn
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2009
Posts: 138
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?
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?