charlie brown

Well, this has been quite an interesting last two weeks. I started out earlier in the year experimenting with a new peep sight on my muzzle loader because the open sight I had on it would keep coming loose at the most in-opportune of times. It caused me to miss a couple shots last year on deer, and make a not so great shot on an elk. I have also had problems in the past with hitting deer for some reason. I just never could hit one. Elk wasn't such a big deal, I have killed 3.

I put a Williams peep on the rear of the gun, and because of the current front sight I had, I was shooting close to a foot low. This was with the same load I am currently shooting. I was getting good groups (under 2" at 100 yards), just way too low. I applied for my tags this year, and before I purchased a new front sight, I found out I was unsucessful on everything, so the ML would be taking a break this year, and I would concentrate on getting caught up on some things, and working towards a bear hunt in California this fall.

Fast forward to about 2 1/2 weeks ago. I got a call from NDOW saying someone had turned in a muzzle loader tag for the area which I had down as my first choice. I took the tag, and the scrambling began. I was able to find a Williams Firesight front to put on the muzzle loader the next day, and shot at the range. After about 7 shots, I had two it sighted in good with shots about 1/2" apart at 100 yards. I was about 2" low with my rear sight at max elevation. The other day I shot at some milk jugs with water, and was able to hit at 50, 75 and 100 yards from a sitting position. I missed 2 shots just high, but after I figured out my hold, I was good to go.

The load is a .452" Hornady XTP in a Harvester Crush Rib Sabot over 100 grains of Goex 2f, with a Winchester 209 Primer in my Traditions Pursuit. I tested the load today and got 1702 FPS, which should put me right in the middle of the velocity range for the .454 Casull, so I shouldn't have any worries about the bullet not penetrating at close range. I have a ranch secured that I can hunt, and there are plenty of deer. I have been watching them for a couple nights now, and figuring out what to do for opening day. Hopefully it will call come together and I will finally be able to get a deer with my muzzle loader and break the curse.

Come on September 10th!!

mountaineer magic

Sounds like you will be ready to go. Good luck on downing that deer .when I put a peep on my Omega it was the same way. It shot way low.I called williams and TC and they both were willing to send me a lower front sight free. I went with TC and received the sight in less than a week. No cost. Let us know how your hunt goes.

cayugad

good luck with the sight and the hunt.

Semisane

Sounds like you have it all together Charlie Brown. Good luck making meat.

sabotloader

charlie brown

Hey Charlie! Have a great hunt...

pluckit

I wound up having to put lock tight on my Hawkins sight. It kept coming loose on me every year. I have had no problems with it since. Congratulations on your draw and good luck harvesting your deer. I shoot the Hornady .45 Cal. XTP out of my Pursuit also. It shoots terrific. I just buy the Thompson Center XTP sabot combo pack in the 240 grain size. I have all but one of my muzzle loaders sighted in and ready to go. The one that's not ready has been giving me a bit of a fit. I just bought some 300 grain, 50 caliber, Hornady FPB's to try them out. If they will shoot well out of it I will be set and ready with all my muzzle loaders for the October early muzzle loader season here in Maryland. I put in my request for vacation for 3.5 weeks for the early 10 day muzzle loader season, the 2 week shotgun season and the final 2 day shotgun season at the end of the year. I will have to skip taking off for the late muzzle loader season since I don't have enough vacation time saved up for it.