We can do this during gun season here but not ML. Anyone use a scope with a traditional ML? If so, what are the benefits? Increased light during low light conditions? How much further of a range does it give you with a traditional. These are all things I am thinking about as I am waiting for my gunsmith to get back from his hunt out west with his Hawken. As I mentioned in another post, he's putting together a starter kit for my .54 caliber Hawken and ordering the supplies I needs as a newbie to muzzleloading.

scope on a trad muzzleloader=gay

its like putting fiber optics and a drop awy rest on longbow....defeats the purpose

PAnative.. I would have to disagree with you. I have nothing against you feeling the way you do. But IMO.. There is nothing wrong with putting a scope on a traditional rifle. I have several of them with scopes and there is nothing strange about them. Granted it changes the appearance of the rifle, and I might not be "no longer in the true spirit of the hunt" with a scoped traditional rifle.. but my reply is I hunt with what I like. I am not Daniel Boone or Davie Crockett and never claim to be. I am a hunter, and I will use what I like and let you worry about your own yard.

What's the advantage.. well that's easy. A longer distance shot becomes easier. Not because the ballistics of the rifle have changed, but my ability to see and have a better sight picture have changed. I have some Renegades with Green Mountain LRH barrels (1-28) and they are every bit as accurate as any inline rifle. But even with that aspect, I still respect what I am doing and take no shot I am not certain I can make.

I can see better in low light conditions. Early mornings and late afternoons I feel much more secure with taking those early or last minute shots. I can identify my target better and if I can not see my target and identify it, I will not shoot.

I personally feel the scope makes me a much safer hunter. As I said, I will not shoot unless positive about what I am shooting at. With a scope, I can see the difference between a shooting buck or a passing buck. I also feel I can better place my shot.

With the LRH I would shoot out to 150 yards if I had to. BUT I prefer not to. With open sights, I used to say I would limit my shots to 100 yards. Lately with eye sight, shadows, etc.. I might even lower that to 75 yards.

I was talking today to friends about the upcoming muzzleloader season. They still hunt with traditional rifles and open sights. They limit their shots to 50 yards, BY CHOICE. They are very good hunters but feel that is their limit. They were asking me about my scoped rifles. I told the one if he hunted his field and wanted a longer reaching rifle... come see me and I would set him up.

There is nothing wrong with those that base their traditional belief on keeping things as our forefathers did. I respect that. But there are others that just love to hunt and to respect the game we hunt but still fill a freezer. And if a scoped traditional rifle will help them hunt and fill a freezer better, then all the more power to them.

I would venture that if scopes were available in Crokett's and Boone's time, they would have gladly used them.

If you can put a Scope on it and it's Legal to use I'd do it. I would'nt be without a Scope. You can see further, better in low light and pick a spot to shoot at. If it helps to better and more humanely Harvest Animal's, Im all for it, reguardless of the Gun it's on. Go for it!
(BP)

Scope it if you want and be happy. And the reason are as previously stated. Personally I would scope an inline ML in a heartbeat. But for the traditional sidelocks I think it takes away from the sleek lines of the design. Sort of like putting a luggage car topper on a sports car.

I have a scope on my GreyHawk as my eyesight isn't near as good as it were 20 yrs ago. In early or late light its easier to see yer game & if'en any limbs n saplin's be in the way

just to be clear i didnt mean any disrespect by that guys i am just a traditional guy lol

happy hunting

none taken. Each person has their own things that give them enjoyment. And I am glad of that. It would not be much fun if everyone felt and acted the same.

Thanks for the replies guys. Cayugad, what scope or scopes do you use on your guns? I will talk to the gunsmith too when he returns. I'm just thinking it might be fun to try with scope during gun season and w/out during ML.