Hello all,
I just got my first muzzleloader for my birthday. It is a Traditions 209 bolt type. I never have used black powder before. What are the best bullets, pellets, powders, ect. to use? Also, I am wanting to put a scope on it. Any suggestions? How far will it shoot out? Thanks all.

Welcome to the forum I wont try to give advice as Im a newbie myself, but the folks on here know their muzzle loaders and will gladly share their experience.

Traditions makes a good rifle. Get a pound of Pyrodex RS and some 240 grain XTP's to start with. Make sure the rifle is nice and clean. A good primer will ignite loose powder easy. Pellets are expensive and do not do a better job then loose powder.

With a scope and the right load that rifle should shoot easy out to 150 yards if you are a good shooter and practice. 100 yards should be a piece of cake.

I have a CVA Staghorn Magnum which is a lot like your rifle (barrels come from the same factory). Even though mine is a magnum, is does not like magnum charges. I shoot 90 grains of loose powder and it will shoot almost any bullet I want to try.

Also the 250 grain Shockwaves shoot well out of the rifle also.

Good luck with new Traditions black powder! Just remember to read the literature that came with the gun really well first. New guns usually have a layer of oil in the barrel to protect it and you want to clean that out first, but your manual should clarify that for you. As far as what bullets, powder and all that, there are much better experts than I to recommend that for you. Welcome to the black powder world, its lots of fun.

I always recommend Hornady FPB bullets, as they do not use a sabot. Eliminating the sabot takes a major variable out of the equation. They have worked very well for me on a few deer. I'm shooting the 350 gr bullet with 100 gr loose Pyrodex. They also make a 300 gr bullet. I'm sure one or the other will shoot well from your gun.

If I were you I would look around for a local BP club, or a weekend woods shoot. Then take your rifle with you and ask a couple of older guys to take you through the shoot with them. I am positive you can find a couple of guys that would be more than glad to share with you their knowledge, and even some of their powder and round balls. Heck you could offer them a few bucks for their materials, but I doubt if most of them would take your money.

You can learn alot from older fellows at shoots like that. And most are more than willing to help beginners. Regardless of age. Tom.

Which bolt action is it? The Evolution?

I had a Traditions 209 bolt type in 45cal bought from basspro(E-bolt?-Tbolt).
Combo came with a Traditions scope. I only used pyrodex pellets in the gun going with 100g and 200g shockwave bullets. The gun was a tack driver at 75yds and under. Overall not a bad gun for the money.

This is the rifle I got..
http://www.cabelas.com/link-12/produ...:referralID=NA

Also, what is a decent inexpensive scope to use as well?