Just purchased a muzzleloader and was hoping I could get some "tricks of the trade" advise on:

- Assessories/tools I might need to make muzzleloading more enjoyable?

- Recommended beginners bullet and powder information. Where to start? (I purchased a Knight .50 cal)

- How do you prep for entry into your hunting woods? Shoot primers to dry the barrel? What muzzleloading gear do you pack?

Any additional basic information would be appreciated.

Scott

www.crazycrow.com or www.cabelas.com or www.trackofthewolf.com for your accessories. If you're shooting inline I'd go to Cabela's site. Where to start...I'd buy the "Lyman Black Powder Handbook&Loading Manual". A wealth of info for you right there in black and white. When I prep to go into the woods...dry patch the barrel real well...remove nipple and cleanout screw to run pipe cleaner thru both. Load and go. Some fire a cap or two, I never do doing it the way I stated. What gear do I pack...possibles bag and powder horn normally. Bag has nipple wrench, nipple pick, cleaning jag, patch's, a little bottle of glass cleaner with vinegar, capper full of caps, small tin of caps inserted in the "Quick Seals" for nasty weather, bullets or balls and a starter. Powder measure and funnel. Seems like thats about it.

MD,

There is a great deal of info for the beginning black powder shooter/hunter on my website at www.hpmuzzleloading.com .

Toby Bridges

Congratulations on getting a Knight Muzzleloader. They are an excellent rifle. I have a old model Knight Wolverine II LK-93 which still uses the #11 percussion caps so as far as the next things needed to shoot the rifle I really could not help you.

As for a projectile I would suggest some Knight RED HOT sabots in 260 grain I believe they are. Also the 250 grain Barnes Expanders will shoot real well out of your rifle I am guessing. If you want some cheaper projectiles then get some 240 grain Thompson Center Mag Express XTP. They shoot excellent out of my short barrel Wolverine.

As strange as this might seem, this little Wolverine will also shoot patched round ball if I keep the charge around 60 grains. The accuracy with the patched roundball will amaze you to say the least if your rifle is anything like mine. It makes a great plinking load. I use the .490 diameter.

Good luck with your rifle...

MD Piney,

You can get good info from several muzzleloading places, including here, whether you are a beginner or experienced muzzleloader.

[link]http://wolfhound.proboards27.com/index.cgi#muzzle[/link]
[link]http://dougva.proboards34.com/index.cgi[/link]

The first thing I would do is read the owners manual from front to back then back to front and do it at least a couple of times. If you can do that and reconize the terms used with ease you have come a long ways.

Next I would start by shooting and cleaning as purposed in your manual and get comfortable with that. Next step would be branching out and trying other projectiles and powder as you feel more comefortable with your gun.

These two steps should mean shooting at least 100 rounds at the range before heading into the woods.

Tools and other supplies should be listed in your manual other supplies will come on a as needed basis. (hope you live close to a gun shop).

If you don't have a manual for your gun get one I would not attempt to shoot it without one.

I have thought of some "must own" items for the new muzzleloader.

1- superjag, great for cleaning and loading also gives your rod a few extra inches of workable length.

2- worm tip. You will lose patches in your m/l when cleaning and this tool gets them out for you real quick also they are gread for whiping the breech on the range I put a patch in first push it down and twist clockwize to do this.

3- Old cotton shirts, lots of them lol they make great rags and patches for cleaning which you will need plenty of. It is not worth buying commercial patches they cost too much and are never the right size.

4- T handle for cleaning and loading.

Also try the search utility here on the forum.
Most if not all of your questions have been asked and replies given.

Thanks for all the feedback. Interesting but fun times ahead!

Scott