Muzzleloader question

Boer seun

Boer seun

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Well today I bought a high end ML, cost an arm and a leg but oh well it's only money. I hope this gun will last many years since it was close to a thousand bucks!
I'd like to hear how you clean your ML I used to just put a patch with hoppes through my el cheapo trad. but this gun is going to be something diffrent.
Also would you take 200 y shots at deer with a quality ML and what bullet and bullet weight do you prefer.
Thanks
 
How the muzzleloader is cared for means more than how much it cost. I used a Lyman Deerstalker for 16 years and other than a few little bumps on the stock, it looked good as new. I wash mine out with soap and water, scrub it with a mix of Ballistol and water, and then run a patch of strait Ballistol, and wipe it all down with the same. The muzzleloader gets cleaned at the end of "every" day it is fired. As far as shooting with a muzzleloader at Deer 200 yards away, I have no experience, nor do I want any.
 
Thanks Snowshoe, can I purchase Balistol in a gunshop? Never heard of this stuff. What do you consider a good max range for a ML?
I agree what it cost does not matter much I want to take good care of it though because it was expensive and I'd want to keep it for 50 years if possible.
 
I have 2 50 cal BP's. Both are "Tradition's" brand. Pursuit LT and their Hawken. I use their EZ clean solvent for all general cleaning and their WonderLube 1000 for protecting the bore and all exposed metal. The Wonderlube is used also for ball patches and maxi balls, and nipple thread lubing. This is what was recommended by Traditions and it works. No fouling problems. No rust !! On my firearms I think these products work very well. I want them to last as well. Just my input. Other members will have their favorites.

Edit: As for bullets. Hornady 250 and 300 gr SST's with 100 gr of 777 loose powder or pellets in my Pursuit gives about 3" groups at 100 meters. I tried many types of sabots but these ones work well for me. Deer at 200 yrds? No problem. These SST's are still accurate at 200 meters (220 yds). In my Hawken (1 in 48 twist) the 100 meter grouping is about the same (using 100 gr Pyrodex Select). Don't know about 200 with this rifle. Gotta try that next time I'm at the range.
 
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I get Ballistol from "Track of the Wolf". I hunt with traditional style muzzleloaders and round balls, so 100 yards is what I consider to be max range. For the style of hunting we do, 100 yards is a long shot and only taken 3 times in the past 18 years. This past year all 3 whitetails where taken at 40 yards.
 
M77 said:
I have 2 50 cal BP's. Both are "Tradition's" brand. Pursuit LT and their Hawken. I use their EZ clean solvent for all general cleaning and their WonderLube 1000 for protecting the bore and all exposed metal. The Wonderlube is used also for ball patches and maxi balls, and nipple thread lubing. This is what was recommended by Traditions and it works. No fouling problems. No rust !! On my firearms I think these products work very well. I want them to last as well. Just my input. Other members will have their favorites.
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Pretty well the same system I use. I store my ML with a coating of Wonderlube down thw barrel. Helps to protect and season the barrel. As for charges I use 90 grains of T7 with a 300 grain Nosler Partition sabot. Shooting is possible out to 200 yds. as long as you practice and are comfortable out to that range.
 
I've tried 150gr in my Pursuit (both pellets and powder). The recoil isn't as bad as one might think. I would guess it would fall somewhere between a 30-06 and a 300WSM. You want recoil? Come shoot my Winchester Defender 12 guage with a 1 oz slug. That will shake your fillings loose. LOL
 
I use Precision Rifle ML cleaner. Once clean, I coat all the metal bits with CLP but swab/foul the barrel w/primer before loading.

I've never used/needed more then a 120gr of T7 ffg in my Encore, shooting 2" groups at 100m w/195gr .357PRB. While all of my shots have been <100m this load/rifle is capable of taking deer out to 200m - hitting 3" high @ 100m and dead on at 175m.
 
Boer seun said:
I have heard of guys using 150gr of 777 I am sure that would kick like a bugger anyone tried that?
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Always check the recommended load capacities for whatever gun you buy. 150 grains of loose T7 can be dangerous and unnecessary. If you post on the ML forum you will get more feedback on this subject. Most ML shooters recommend that while you can use 150 gr. in T7 pellets, the highest load you should use in loose T7 powder is no more than 120.
 
Ah thanks guys.
Going to pick the rifle up today, hope my stupid work schedule allows some play time at the range!
What velocities can one expect with a muzzleloader and say 100gr of loose 777 and with 120gr?
I prefer loose powder over pellets so will be shooting that never knew you should not use 150 loose.
Thanks!
 
Will yourrifle kill deer at 200yds ? Yes.With a max. load of t7 or pyro you will have the energy even with 250 gr. bullets.But check for accuracy first at 100 and 200 yds to make sure your gun can do it.
 
Boer Seun,
What type of muzzleloader did you end up with? I'm a little surprised that you haven't heard of Ballistol, since the only place I've heard it mentioned was in the pile of Man Magnums you lent me. Besides it's use in cleaning guns they also used to use it for medicinal purposes in the old days.:eek: I can't imagine slugging back a belt of Hoppes #9 for a fever!
For cleaning with black powder and Pyrodex I still use hot water, and haven't found anything that works better.
I have no problem going out to 200 for deer with 3 Pyrodex pellets and a 250 SST. My buddy shot his moose with 120 grains of loose 777 and a 300 grain SST last year. Lasered range was 175 yards and the bullet exited.
There is a big drop-off in performance between 150 and 200 yards. Keep your loads stiff.
Mike
 
shotgunjoe said:
Will yourrifle kill deer at 200yds ? Yes.With a max. load of t7 or pyro you will have the energy even with 250 gr. bullets.But check for accuracy first at 100 and 200 yds to make sure your gun can do it.
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Like Shotgunjoe said. A ML will drop a deer cleanly at 200 yrds. Many people do not realise the energy a BP rifle can produce. Here is the factory data on the SST sabot with a 100gr pyrodex pellet load:

250 gr SST:Velocity 1890 muzzle 1291 200 yds. Energy 1983ft lbs muzzle 925 ft lbs 200 yds.

300 gr SST:Velocity 1770 muzzle 1284 200 yds. Energy 2087 ft lbs muzzle 1098 ft lbs 200 yds
Now remember this is only 2 pellets totalling 100 gr. These numbers roughly translate to 70 - 80% of a 30-06's energy (not velocity) with a 180 gr bullet at 200 yds which is around 1635 ft lbs. Or almost identical energy from a 243with a 80 gr bullet (200 yds). Under 200 yards with a clean hit from a muzzleloader and a deer is going down.
 
Load 150 grain only in pellet form - not loose. Max loose load is approx 120 grains 777. Only use max loads if your rifle can accurately shoot if. Mine can't, either that, or I am to much of a chick for the excessive recoil.

Cheers, Hakx
 
Boer Seun,
What type of muzzleloader did you end up with? I'm a little surprised that you haven't heard of Ballistol, since the only place I've heard it mentioned was in the pile of Man Magnums you lent me. Besides it's use in cleaning guns they also used to use it for medicinal purposes in the old days. I can't imagine slugging back a belt of Hoppes #9 for a fever!
For cleaning with black powder and Pyrodex I still use hot water, and haven't found anything that works better.
I have no problem going out to 200 for deer with 3 Pyrodex pellets and a 250 SST. My buddy shot his moose with 120 grains of loose 777 and a 300 grain SST last year. Lasered range was 175 yards and the bullet exited.
There is a big drop-off in performance between 150 and 200 yards. Keep your loads stiff.
Mike
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Hi Mike
You know the old elephant hunters probably were in the bush too long that's why they drank that stuff. (became "bos befok")
I bought a TC Encore Pro hunter 2
Had it almost a week and have not been able to shoot it, don't see that happening for the next 3 weeks either!
The Idea is to work up load and practise this summer (work permitting)
Until I am confident shooting at the longer ranges.
I will be using loose powder and think I'll work up in ten grain increments
 
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