Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

http://www.chuckhawks.com/william_ball.htm

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

I take that statement back. I am trying to change my ways.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

BC, I have been checking this post all day, but was leaving it
for you. I wanted you to be first. Ha! you were.
Damm! You chickened out on me.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

The Balls are a smokeless icon in some minds... not mine.... not until I find out what they did for the blackpowder users like me. If all they did prior to smokeless was produce fancy MLs, that's not of interest of me. As far as I'm concerned, they've contributed havoc on the ML sport rules & regulations... wrecking havoc by creating a bigger split on traditionalists vs modern muzzleloading entusiasts. On top of all that, their contributions will eventually/may already have created ML policy action by individual states that mandates larger restrictions using either smokeless or regular blackpowder.

I have no problems with almost any technology advances in our society... but I do have a probklem with people trying to industrialize a traditionalist game of hunting that dates back over two centuries ago into hunting game with 2005 hi-tech MLs having identical speeds & energy already found on cartridge rifles.

We already had single-shot rifles & shotguns. There was no need/want to introduce a third party with a manufactured product idea stolen from traditionalists & modern MLers.

I'm done early on this thread. I said my piece - how I feel. I'll avoid the pros & cons of putting the Balls on a higher ML pedestal until I find out their contributions to the blackpowder-only sidelocks/inlines non-smokeless industry.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

Triple 7 - this is almost the identical discussion that has occurred several times before the Colorado Wildlife Commission when the subject of the "definition of a legal muzzleloading rifle" came up. They allow us to hunt during what is traditionally the peak of the elk rut - and only because the weapon technology limits our ability to take these wonderful animals when they are most vulnerable to calling. The other group that gets to hunt during this period is, of course, the archers. So after much heated discussion, they will allow us to use in-line guns (mainly because they are considered more reliable); but no smokeless powder, scopes, electronic sights, or sabot/pellet loads. During the general rifle season, however, the sky is the limit on the various techno advances with these weapons. And, interestingly, they allow rifle hunting for antelope during the peak of the rut - providing a special muzzleloading season almost a month later when they are done with the breeding distractions and more difficult to approach.

I'm with you - somewhere there has to be a line . . . . . .

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

Wow, Triple, and people think I have too much time on my hands. There was so much drama in that post, I thought I was watching a Lifetime special.:D

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

Now this is fun...

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

Frankly, although I have respect for Ball's weapons testing and the most respect for his service to our country I don't find smokeless muzzleloading hugely revolutionary in the least. It's not that difficult to over-build a rifle to handle a given charge of powder.

I also don't place the Ball's or anyone else for that matter on any pedestal.

Someone was bound to develop smokeless muzzleloading sooner or later so why not the Ball's?

Really, what I think is going to happen is more states will put the kabosh on smokeless powder muzzleloading (hope so).

I thought it was a pretty good interview and as a veteran, I truly appreciate William Ball's service to our country.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

why do you hope so? I find the shooting community has a tough time keeping thier blinders on mind thier own. I am not sure why. I mean I could care less if the guy at the other farm is hunting bunny rabbits with bazookas? As long as it doesn't bother my hunting, why do I care.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

I dont really see a problem with it, I like to see advancements in the shooting industry each new idea may spark interest and create more new shooters. For example someone may not have even considered getting into shooting untill they came along a new innovation that sparked their interest towards the shooting sports.

As we all know once you start shooting it becomes and addiction and we move on and try other types of shooting. The more people intersted in the shooting sports the more power we as shooters and hunters have to keep, preserve and pass on our tradition.

So what we now have smokeless muzzle loading ( I for one like the idea), the simple fix to what ever problems you or many might have asfar as muzzle loading seasons and traditional muzzle loading hunting goes, Just classify the smokeless ML's as modern in that case if you want to use smokeless ML's you would have to hunt during the regular rifle season and the traditional muzzle loaders can still have their seperate season ( i know thats what the traditional ML hunters are mostly worried about).

Randy that was a good interview I enjoyed reading it, And being from a Military family I have the utmost respect and gratitude for Bill Balls service to our country.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

Personally, I don't have an issue with smokeless muzzleloading or anyone that does. I guess I should have clarified for Michigan's shotgun/muzzleloader only zone. In the rifle zone's the sky is the limit which is cool beans with me.

But what is going on is legislation here in Michigan is starting to look at the extended ranges of muzzleloaders in the shotgun/ML only zone.

I see smokeless powder ML development potentially pushing the effective range substantially farther than with traditional black or substitutes. If the range of ML's get excessive (and I don't know what that magic number is), then we may face legislation that restricts not only smokeless ML use but more. Which I do care about.

I would not be surprised if Michigan does not come up with an iron sights or limited optics rule for ML hunting in Michigan's lower peninsula shotgun/muzzleloader zone. When the zone was created, the basis for the shotgun/Muzzleloader restriction was that at that time shotguns and ML's effective range was about 100 yards.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

You have a point there TQ. In the city I live in we are in the "shotgun only" zone due to it being an Urban Compact. NH allows rifle shooting in most parts of the state with the exception being urban areas where we can use(during the regular firearms season) shotguns, muzzleloaders and a limited number of pistols the smallest being the .357. This is done because of safety conserns and I don't mind the law a bit living next to a couple hundred acres of woods surrounded by homes and a school.

A person shooting at game and missing it with something going over 2000fps would be endangering people/property. I do not want to see muzzleloaders restricked in these areas yet I want to keep using a rifle like my encore.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

Aaaah! I see your point exactly, makes perfect sense now.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

That is a precarious position-- Encores have had published loads over 2300 fps for years, now, and slug guns long ago eclipsed 2100 fps. Difficult to draw an easy distinction.

RE: Muzzleloading Sniper: Bill Ball Interview
 

I didnt think about that and i'm sure most dont....... but Randy is right, but I'm thinking if the restriction keep going in the negative direction slug guns will be restricted to smooth bore only and handguns will be restricted to rimmed pistol calibers no larger then 44 mag. And before you know it they will start restricting barrel length for pistols aswell.