Got my first Muzzleloader!
 

I am normally a bow hunter but I have decided to start muzzleloader hunting. I live in Oregon that has some very strict rules on black powder. No scopes,No 209, open ignition, no sabot or and bullet that is more than twice in length as it is around. But still we have some real good hunts. Worse thing here is the fact the cougars are way out of control!
I bought a 50 caliber "Traditions evolution" inline.....I haven't shot it yet since there are a bunch of things I need to buy yet.
I did buy some CCI #11 mag. caps though. My question is, can I pop off a few caps and not have to clean my gun after that since it will just be the caps?.....I just want to pull that trigger so bad!!!!!
Pray for my family since this is going to open up a lot more hunting for elk and deer!!!!!

I forgot to mention that in Oregon we have a point system when it comes to drawing tags. I have 12 points for deer but the hunt I want only takes 6 points so my hunting partner said if I was to let him apply with me we both will draw the tag. He offered me this ... he will pay 100% of the gas and we split the food....too good to pass up.
I only have 2 points for elk but that will draw the tag.

Clean it. You need the practice. I have fired caps on a side lock prior to loading and not fired the gun for a long time but I do not recommend it. Keep your gun clean to avoid any problems.

I am new to the blackpowder scene too. I would not take any chances, once rusted always rusted. Hope the deer and elk hunting goes well. If you are ever around Tangent, say Hello to a Jenks from a MO cousin.

If you have a loading jag, put a clean patch on the end of the jag. Now push the patch with the ramrod and jag, down to the breech. The patch will catch most of the cap discharge. Now with all that in place, pop a cap or two. This is actually a good idea because you not only feel the trigger pull but also test the rifles ability to properly fire a cap.

When you are all done with your testing and playing, put a clean patch on the jag and swab the bore. Then apply some gun oil on a new patch and swab the barrel with that. Primers are said to be non corrosive if you believe that.

Ditto on what Cayugad said. Just don't use too much oil on the patch and set the rifle muzzle down so any excess does not go into the flash hole and cause a misfire later. And before you load, run a couple dry patches down the bore to get and oil out of the bore.

Congrats and welcome to the world of muzzleloading!

Tangent is just a couple miles West of me....I take it that Jenks in Tangent would be Jenks hatchery...never heard a bad word of them. they been here a long time.

congrats on the new toy and welcome to the forum!!!!

Whtelk1--

That is the tribe. The family went to MO(from VA) after the civil war, then some went to OR and went into the chicken business. I keep saying that I am going to drive out there and say Hello, but I keep putting it off, with gas prices and such. If you see a Jenks, say Hi for me.

I think the need to keep that new gun clean is important. I just sold one(TC Hawken) that I had bought from a friend, it had bore butter in the barrel. When I cleaned it out, it had rust underneath. I sold it to a guy that put a new barrel on it. I doubt if the guy that sold it to me knew it was rusted. So, I decided not to buy the bore butter protection theory, after cleaning with hot soapy water, mine will get some Hoppe's #9. I will just have to clean the Hoppe's out before loading. I have never had a gun rust with Hoppe's in it.

Jenks if you do ever get out here give me a shout and I will show you around these parts...really good fishing and pretty darn good hunting. In fact right behind the main Jenks hatchery there is an old oak woodlot that I have seen some great deer around...think I saw 3 bucks in the field one evening that were all shooters...only seen them from from the road of course (LOL)
My family is from your neck of the woods...I was born in Monett and some of my family lives in Purdy Mo.
I took every ones advice and cleaned my gun, I figure I should get very comfortable with all aspects of this gun

Whtelk1, thanks for the offer. I have been saying that I was going to go out there for years and have not done it. Years ago one of the family out there and I worked on the family tree and wrote each other for awhile, her husband died and she lost interest. They used to have family reunions there in Aug.

You was born in Barry Co, I was born in Ralls Co, at the opposite corner of the state. I live in Ripley Co. in SE MO but I hunt up in Ralls. Less hunters and more deer there.
I have my second blackpowder rifle, I did not shoot the first one. I have only shot the second one about eight times, I was checking to see if the sights were on and what kind of charge would shoot straight. I was going to use it during the blackpowder season, one of my sons and I were going. He couldn't, so I didn't. The gun is a slow twist Hawken, I have only shot Hornady PA conicals, they seemed to shoot accurate enough to shoot a deer at close range. I need to do some more shooting and see if patched ball is more accurate. It is getting a little cold here to do much shooting. Thanks again for the invite.

Because I live and hunt in Central Oregon, I decided to buy a 50 cal.Traditions Vortek Northwest Magnum. These are legal in Oregon, Washington, and Idaho. I've just tried out a couple of different bullets, and have settled on Powerbelt 295 Gr. pure lead series. ( Also approved to use in Oregon. ) I'm using the recommended Musket caps.
Anyone using a musket capper that will work on this rifle?
Thanks,
Fred :)

Welcome we are always happy to see new shooters. Cayugad told you right, but I would add to swab the barrel with alcohol then dry patches before you load it with powder oil in the barrel when you load can cause misfires.

Almost Lee. Cayugad was talking to the guy who started the thread 2 years ago.


Please, if you're new to the forum. Start a new thread, introduce yourself, and ask your questions. It saves confusion that way.


Is that gun setup for musket caps? The #11 CCI mag caps will work as good. What animal do you plan on using the 295gr Powerbelt on?

Hello Pete,
Musket caps are recommended by Traditions. I don't believe that the #11 CCI Mag caps are legal here. Mule deer and Rocky Mountain Elk, maybe coyote this winter. Any suggestions are welcome.
Fred :)

Pete,
Your right about starting a new thread. Sorry. I'll do that next time. Never used these message boards before. "I'm just learning. "
Fred:)

Hi Fred,

Welcome to the forum.

I'm pretty sure CCI will be legal. Not that they're better than musket caps but I wouldn't go out of my way to change to them if you're set up for #11 caps. I personally use and recommend Remmington caps.

Take the time to set up your gun and it will provide you with years of enjoyment.

Yes, the #11 caps are legal. If the gun is setup for musket caps use them. What powder are you using?

I don't like the 295 Powerbelt for elk. If you want to stay with PB's boost it up to the 348gr. Try to miss big bones, and get a double lung shot.