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10-31-2004 | 12:21 PM
#2
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: Springwater, NY
RE: A little advice for a newbie muzzleloader please
Todd,
I'm just over the hill from you in Springwater (North of Wayland). I've been into muzzleloading for about 5 yrs now. Started off with a TC Black Diamond (For Sale) and just up graded to the TC Omega. I'm looking to do the final sight in this next weekend if I have time.
My load I shoot is a 100gr 777 pellets (2 50's) and 295 gr Power Belt Bullet (.50 Cal Areo Tip) backed by the 209W Winchester primer.
Out of the 15 shots through the gun I have 3 three shot groups touching and 2 two shot groups touching that was shooting off the deck down hill about 50 yds. As you know around here most shots are 30-70 yds or 150+ as they wave their tails good-bye.
Later,
Chris
I'm just over the hill from you in Springwater (North of Wayland). I've been into muzzleloading for about 5 yrs now. Started off with a TC Black Diamond (For Sale) and just up graded to the TC Omega. I'm looking to do the final sight in this next weekend if I have time.
My load I shoot is a 100gr 777 pellets (2 50's) and 295 gr Power Belt Bullet (.50 Cal Areo Tip) backed by the 209W Winchester primer.
Out of the 15 shots through the gun I have 3 three shot groups touching and 2 two shot groups touching that was shooting off the deck down hill about 50 yds. As you know around here most shots are 30-70 yds or 150+ as they wave their tails good-bye.
Later,
Chris
10-31-2004 | 12:31 PM
#3
Spike
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
RE: A little advice for a newbie muzzleloader please
Hi Todd in NY,
Todd in VT here. I am a newbie also, just ordered a Knight Disc Elite, pretty sweet deal through Cabelas. Let me know if you want specifics. I ended up going with the .50, I have heard that there really is no benefit to the .45, and less options regarding bullets, accessories, etc. You may find this link helpful;
http://www.chuckhawks.com/45_muzzle_loaders.htm
Hope this helps,
Todd
Todd in VT here. I am a newbie also, just ordered a Knight Disc Elite, pretty sweet deal through Cabelas. Let me know if you want specifics. I ended up going with the .50, I have heard that there really is no benefit to the .45, and less options regarding bullets, accessories, etc. You may find this link helpful;
http://www.chuckhawks.com/45_muzzle_loaders.htm
Hope this helps,
Todd
10-31-2004 | 04:32 PM
#4
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,092
Likes: 0
RE: A little advice for a newbie muzzleloader please
10-31-2004 | 07:02 PM
#5
Dominant Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 21,193
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
RE: A little advice for a newbie muzzleloader please
First off.. the Encore is a great rifle. One of the most accurate out there in the right hands. As for them being as accurate as rifled slug guns...
This is shooting a 460 grain .50 caliber conical off shooting sticks at 100 yards at a 3X5 index card with my Thompson Center Black Diamond XR. I was using 85 grains of Goex FFFg which is a pistol or smaller caliber rifle powder for the most part although a lot of people like to shoot them in their larger caliber rifles as well. It burns cleaner.
Powder or pellets... well I shoot loose powder. I think I can custom tune a rifle better, but many people have excellent results shooting pellets. 2 pellets or 100 grains is the standard load.
.45 or .50 caliber is easy.... .50 caliber. There is nothing a .45 caliber can do that a .50 caliber can not match. Your Encore scope with practice would be an easy 200 yard rifle. Even more so if your a good shot to begin with, practice, and find the right bullet combination.
The Encore from all I have read is one of those rifles that seem to shoot about anything you shove down them. If you stick to the Thompson Center projectiles for the time being you can not go wrong.
As for hunting with this rifle instead of a shotgun, well you have a lot better range, better bullet selection, but you have to be a better shot because the second shot might not happen. If you place the first shot the second one is not needed...
Again, welcome to the sport, great rifle......
This is shooting a 460 grain .50 caliber conical off shooting sticks at 100 yards at a 3X5 index card with my Thompson Center Black Diamond XR. I was using 85 grains of Goex FFFg which is a pistol or smaller caliber rifle powder for the most part although a lot of people like to shoot them in their larger caliber rifles as well. It burns cleaner.
Powder or pellets... well I shoot loose powder. I think I can custom tune a rifle better, but many people have excellent results shooting pellets. 2 pellets or 100 grains is the standard load.
.45 or .50 caliber is easy.... .50 caliber. There is nothing a .45 caliber can do that a .50 caliber can not match. Your Encore scope with practice would be an easy 200 yard rifle. Even more so if your a good shot to begin with, practice, and find the right bullet combination.
The Encore from all I have read is one of those rifles that seem to shoot about anything you shove down them. If you stick to the Thompson Center projectiles for the time being you can not go wrong.
As for hunting with this rifle instead of a shotgun, well you have a lot better range, better bullet selection, but you have to be a better shot because the second shot might not happen. If you place the first shot the second one is not needed...
Again, welcome to the sport, great rifle......
11-01-2004 | 09:30 AM
#6
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,211
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, Md.
RE: A little advice for a newbie muzzleloader please
Todd, the Encore is a great platform for a M/L.
Here is a link to a post describing my load and showing range results. http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=788990
Here is a link to another post showing results with a TC Omega. http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=785673
I would definately go with a .50 caliber M/L. You will have more flexibility with pellets and bullet selection. My best suggestion, if you don't have a lot of time for finding a load, is to use 2 pellets(pyrodex or 777) and a powerbelt bullet. The pellets and powerbelts are both easy to load. After this year's season, start playing with different loads to find out what your rifle likes the best.
Good Luck!!
Here is a link to a post describing my load and showing range results. http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=788990
Here is a link to another post showing results with a TC Omega. http://forum.hunting.net/asppg/tm.asp?m=785673
I would definately go with a .50 caliber M/L. You will have more flexibility with pellets and bullet selection. My best suggestion, if you don't have a lot of time for finding a load, is to use 2 pellets(pyrodex or 777) and a powerbelt bullet. The pellets and powerbelts are both easy to load. After this year's season, start playing with different loads to find out what your rifle likes the best.
Good Luck!!
