Learning to use muzzleloaders.
 

Hi everyone, Tomorrow, I’m going to be purchasing my first gun. It’s going to be a muzzleloader. I’ve always been interested in muzzleloaders, and I wanted to learn how to use one. Here in Idaho, muzzleloaders can be used in the general any weapon season, but they have to meet certain requirements to be used in a muzzleloader only season.

i’m gonna be up front, I have no idea how to use a muzzleloader, how to load it properly, how to measure the powder, that type of stuff. That’s why I’m posting today. I have two questions.

First, is there a muzzleloader user in the Twin Falls Idaho area that might be able to help teach me how to use one?

If not, does anybody here have any useful tips for a beginner muzzleloader?

I’ll appreciate whatever help I can get, Jared

Youtube is your friend.

Yep, that’s what I was thinking. I’m actually already starting to look at some videos on muzzleloaders. Thanks.

I think we talked before about getting together to shoot. I was thinking at the time you were moving?
We can still make that happen.

That’s right, we did. I finished moving in a while ago, so maybe we can make that happen when the gun arrives.

They were actually out of muzzleloaders at sportsman‘s warehouse in Twin Falls, so I had to order one on their website and have it shipped to the store. When it arrives, and as soon as I get all the powder, accessories, ammo, and other stuff, I will let you know so we can try shooting together.

I tried getting one sooner, but due to financial issues because of the move, and many other things, I had to delay getting the muzzleloader until today.

The gun I got is a traditions buckstalker XT Northwest 50 caliber in-line muzzleloader. It’s not the one you recommended me a while ago, but because of finances, this is the one I could afford.

Tell you what, I’ll send you a PM also.

Thanks for still being willing to help. I appreciate it.

Jared

Well its a good thing you have a mentor that knows a good deal about muzzleloading. Ron will be able to answer all your questions.

No problem. Once you get your stuff to shoot contact me.

Hi everyone, I have an update for you all. The muzzleloader should get to sportsman‘s warehouse on Wednesday or Thursday. When it gets there, I will go into the store and have my background check. After passing it, (I’m pretty sure I’ll pass it, I’ve done absolutely nothing wrong in my life except for traffic violations,) I get the gun.

Anyway, I went to sportsman‘s warehouse yesterday, showed them on the Internet the gun I ordered, and asked them what’s required to start shooting it. I explained this is my first firearm purchase, and they helped me out. They said I needed the following: Black powder (loose, no pellets)
Bullets, (NO sabots, 100% lead)
Primer (I’m pretty sure the one I got takes a musket primer.)
Cleaning supplies
Ball starter
Powder measures

I think that’s everything. However, if I did miss something I need, please let me know. I plan on getting this stuff on the 25th if the store has it. If they don’t have it, I’ll order on their website.

Jared

You shouldn,t have to do a background check for a BP Firearm.:confused0024:

I don’t know if you’re right or not, because this is the first firearm I’ve ever purchased. If you are right, though, I don’t know why the store says we need to do one. I really don’t know. Regardless of reason, I’m going to roll with it.

You were right. You don’t need a background check for a muzzleloader. The gun arrived in the store today, and I picked it up.

Congrats on your purchase! If you're like the rest of us, it will be the first of many! They are highly addictive!

Thanks! I’ve heard from many people that they are highly addictive.

I actually got this muzzleloader for two reasons. The first reason is so I could use it for hunting. In order to do this, I need to take the gun to Idaho Fish and Game and have them check to see if it meets the muzzleloader requirements. If it does not meet those requirements, I can use it in a general any weapons hunt, But not a muzzleloader hunt.

Second reason I got it is because I have two friends from Japan who are coming again this summer. Last time they were here, they fired a shotgun for the first time, because they don’t have a right to bear arms in Japan. In fact, one of them shot a clay pigeon in the air on her first try. I was impressed. When they get here, I’m going to show them the muzzleloader.

I am still out shopping, getting groceries and stuff, so I will send you all a picture of the gun when I get home.

Jared

Here is the picture!

Jared

Nice one Jared ! What did they recommend for projectiles ? I know you got loose powder . Pyrodex or real black powder ?
That gun is different than my Thompson Center sidelocks that use number 11 primers and Thompson Center Inlines that use a 209 primers .

My loads for the TC White Mountain Carbines side locks are 90 grains of Pyrodex shooting a 350gr Maxihunter lead conical bullet . Right on the money !
I have 2 of those guns . The other one is a little fussier . It likes 80 grains of Pyrodex and prefers 375gr Maxiball lead conical bullet . So you are going to have to experiment a bit to find what it likes . I have never use a gun that uses musket caps for a primer . You have some strange muzzle loader laws there .

Yeah, the muzzleloader regulations are a little weird, but I need to follow them.

https://idfg.idaho.gov/hunt/weapons/muzzleloader

Anyway, Sportsman’s Warehouse recommended conical bullets for accuracy. They said that balls tend to curve when shot.

They were out of black powder, but I am reading the manual now to try to find out what I need.

I have some powder you can have. It is pyrodex RS whenever you wantbto get together to shoot you can have it. You can also try some of my bullets.

Thanks.

I still need to get the cleaning supplies for the gun. From what I understand, you need to clean a muzzleloader after every shot. I could be mistaken, though.

I also need the primer.

That reminds me. I’m trying to figure out if my gun takes 209 primers which are not legal to use in Idaho hunts, or a musket cap which is legal to use in Idaho hunts. Sportsman‘s warehouse website said that it takes musket caps, but I want to be double sure.

How can I tell what it takes?

Jared

If you actually bought the model that you posted earlier , it says it has musket ignition , and was built to comply with Idaho and Oregon regulations ..

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-...24in/p/1697016

You have a " new " gun . You can keep cleaning supplies simple. At least for a bit . All you need is 3 inch cotton shotgun patches , a 50 cal brush , hot water with some Dawn dish soap , a Q tip for the breech fire channel , and I would recommend a can of compressed air to blow out the excess water in the breech plug after you are done cleaning it.. Get some black powder solvent that gets the lead buildup out of the barrel . There are many of them that do a great job.

My advice is to clean it after every shot at the beginning until you are sighted in . After that every 3 shots just to see how it shoots as the barrel gets fouled.

Thanks, just wanted to make sure it was a musket ignition.

Thanks also for the cleaning advice. I appreciate it!

Jared

Quick question.

I am browsing black powder for my muzzleloader. What would you guys recommend? FFg or FFFg black powder?

Get the Pyrodex RS . Leave the real black powder to the experienced guys for now . There is nothing wrong with Pyrodex .

Perfect, thank you very much!

One thing you forgot to put on list that you need to get . Speed Loaders like these . Dont get the ones that look like a tube . Those are for pellets .

This is the one you will need for using powder . They hold the bullet , powder , and primer .
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002269720?pid=928145

Thats of course if you want to go out there with only one shot in the gun .
You see the critter ! :deer: You take the shot ! BOOM ! :biggrin: You MISSED ! :eek: Now walk back to the car to reload ! :bash: :happy0157:

Thank you. I’ll add that to my list.

I actually went to Sportsman’s Warehouse today and got the right powder you guys recommended. While I was there, I was looking at projectiles. While looking at projectiles, a big debate arose between my guns manual, Sportsmans Warehouse, and Traditions firearms customer service. I’m not sure who to believe, so I figured I’d ask you guys.

My gun manual said to not use conical or ball projectiles. This is a problem, because Idaho regulations requires you use those in muzzleloader only hunts. I contacted traditions firearms, and asked them about this. They said to use ball projectiles. However, Sportsmans warehouse said to not use ball projectiles, and use conical projectiles, because the balls tend the curve when shot.

The regulations for Idaho muzzleloader only hunts say that the projectile needs to be within 0.010 of an inch of the bore diameter, and must be made of lead with no sabots. Conical or ball.

Traditions firearms referred me to a website that sells many sizes of muzzleloader projectiles, all spherical, to meet the size requirement for the projectile. Sportsman‘s warehouse showed me one in the store that was conical. Traditions firearms said the ones in the store were too small to meet my requirement for 0.010 of an inch of the bore diameter.

In a nutshell, I am very confused. Could someone PLEASE help me out? What would be a good ammunition/projectile that meets my State requirements?

All of this is better answered by IdahoRon . He is right there in the thick of it and has been hunting Idaho forever . I dont think its as complicated as its being portrayed. I would tend to take the advice of Traditions before I put any salt into the advice coming from a guy at Sportsmans Warehouse . But I would listen and trust anything that IdahoRon has for advice before either Traditions or Sportsmans Warehouse.

So just doing a quick search on conicals and checking your regulations , this pure lead hollow point powerbelt fits the description . Its even shown on whats legal on their regulation examples. I have used this same bullet in copper in both my TC Encore inlines using 100 grains of powder ( 2 50gr pellets ) with superb accuracy . Since you have to use loose powder , I would start with this one trying 100 grains of powder first . Then lowering it to 90 grains to see if that load is more accurate. I can take 3 shots at 100 yards and keep them all inside a 2 inch bulls eye . But thats with a scope which you cant use . So sight in at 25 yards 1st and work your way up to 75 yards .
https://www.gunbroker.com/item/924370494

Here is another one that fits your regulations and gun . Its a heavier bullet . I have never used this one but it has terrific reviews.
Anything made by Hornady is usually quality

https://www.sportsmans.com/shooting-..._reviews_title

Thank you so much for for taking some time to do some research. I really appreciate it. I also did some research myself, and I discovered that my barrels twist rate is 1:28, which is apparently good for conicals according to another source. Thank you so much for helping me out. I really appreciate it.

Here are a couple more things . 1st on the Red speed loaders I suggested . They are limited to 100 grains powder capacity . It might be beneficial to you to get the Black Magnum speed loaders instead . Probably dont need them , but they have a capacity of 150 grains on powder . That might be beneficial if you decide to shoot the heavier Hornady Great Plains conical . If you do decide to get the Hornady from that site , make sure you click on the 50 cal and not the 54 cal since they are both shown on the same page. This is a link to the Black Magnum speed loader .
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1002269720?pid=703837

4 in 1 Speed Loader with the built in bullet starter
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/10...2386#questions



Now watch this short video lesson on using the speed loader . The 1st half is loading with pellets with a tube. The 2nd half shows loading with the black speed loader . Notice how you dont need a bullet starter . I have never used one with any of my muzzle loaders . I just use the ramrod. But if you think you really need one and not planning to shoot over 100 grains , check out the 4 in 1 version of the Red one. Myself , I have never used one . Just some info of what this guy is doing wrong on this video. He is using the wrong side of the ramrod to push the bullet down the barrel . You are supposed to use the cupped side for the bullets I suggested to you . He is pushing the bullet down the barrel with the side that you screw in the cleaning brushes ! Dont push the bullets I suggested down with that side of the rod ! To use that side for his pointed bullets they make an adaptor to screw in to that side thats shaped for those bullets. And he doesn't have one on .