First Inline Muzzleloader Help

oneskilledshooter

oneskilledshooter

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I have finally figured out that it would be a big asset to have a muzzleloader for deer hunting down here in Southern Ontario.

Looking to get a modern inline that uses 209 primers. Something near the lower end like a traditions or a CVA. Do you guys have any thoughts/tips/suggestions?

I understand that the stainless guns are a lot esier to clean and while that sounds appealing I don't know if that would be worth the extra $ or not.

Are any of the modern inlines more weather resistant than any of the others? Is it worth spending more $ on something like a Thompson Center, or are the traditions and CVA's just as weather resistant? I am not a fair weather hunter and with a 1 week season I will be out there regardless.

I am considering used, anything in particular that I should look out for?
 
If you are going to hunt muzzleloader you should consider a real muzzleloader. They are alot more fun and rewarding when you hunt with them than the modern guns. Its almost like you are really living in history if for only a brief moment. The inlines are in the spirit of why muzzleloading season was created. Personally I dont like them nor would I ever own one.

You might want to look at some of the cva and traditions hawken rifles, something in .50 cal and percussion to get you started. Flintlocks have a bit of a learning curve so starting with a percussion is a good idea.

They can be had used for 200-400 bucks depending on different factors. Also if you wait yo may find a good deal with all the gear to go with it!

All in all I think that using an inline with a scope and all that fancy sabot and huge powder charge bs isnt in the spirit of the season. Get a real one and you will have much more of a real challange.

My 2cents

Cheers, McLean
 
Whether you buy an inline or side lock, if you are buying used, the most important thing is to check the bore condition. Black powder and the substitute powders tend to be very corrosive. If a gun has been cleaned improperly or put away dirty, damage to the bore can happen very quickly.

I only started bp shooting last year and was up to 5 guns in a very short time. I will testify that owning and shooting the traditional side locks and flint locks can become very addicting.

Happy hunting.
 
Well the traditional muzzleloaders do sound appealing. I have always wanted to try it out, but it sounds like there is a lot more to learn about. I figured I could get a modern one and see how it goes.

For this season I will be still hunting, so it will be easier to keep the gun dry if the weather turns nasty. How weather resistant are the traditional guns compared to the moderns? How do you guys handle rain with these things? What bullets/balls do you guys run in your traditional guns? What do you consider the effective range of them?

I know lots of guys in to the modern inlines at my club, but the traditional guys are few and far between.
 
oneskilledshooter said:
Well the traditional muzzleloaders do sound appealing. I have always wanted to try it out, but it sounds like there is a lot more to learn about. I figured I could get a modern one and see how it goes.

For this season I will be still hunting, so it will be easier to keep the gun dry if the weather turns nasty. How weather resistant are the traditional guns compared to the moderns? How do you guys handle rain with these things? What bullets/balls do you guys run in your traditional guns? What do you consider the effective range of them?

I know lots of guys in to the modern inlines at my club, but the traditional guys are few and far between.
Click to expand...

1. More to learn indeed! But that is the fun part. A modern inline is a CF .45-70 in disguise.
2. Sidelocks are more difficult to keep dry, because of the open ignition. So, you have to take extra precautions to keep the primer and the nipple away from the rain.
3. I shooot a patched round ball in my sidelocks. More than adequate enough to kill a deer, and surprisingly precise.
4. Keep your shots within 75 yards. If you are using a gun rest of some kind, like shooting sticks, you are good to 100 yards with a .50 or .54 if you are stable and a good enough shot. It is not so much what the gun can do, but how well you shoot it.
 
I shoot a T/C Omega Z5 and really like it. It's the no frills version of the Omega. Price was right and it's a good entry level ML. I put a Limbsaver recoil pad on it as the stock pad is junk. I get 1" or better groups with 250 grain Hornady SST low drag projectiles in front of two White Hot pellets. I bought it to try out muzzleloading and after seeing the results I'm happy that I did.
 
I started out with the CVA Staghorn Magnum plunger type inline and a Traditions Kentucky rifle, then went to a Knight DISC 209 and and TC New Englander. Never got anything with the side locks, but whacked a few critters with the $100 CVA and the significantly more expensive Knight. I have made a clear choice to remain true to inlines for putting critters down, and found the Puritan method more of a novelty.

Ironically, that's also what my hunting buddies say to me when I'm walking the woods with my inline, while they wait overlooking the cut line with their centre fires.
 
I am a traditionalist, my rifle is a Lyman Great Plains .50. I built it from a kit in the early '80's. I'm pretty happy with it, but if you look at my thread in this forum, there is a learning curve. I am just beginning to realize the true potential of the rifle. I did have a misfire this year, in the rain, BIG nontypical buck @ 20 yards. My own fault, but I'm okay with it. I didnt ruin his day, nor he mine. I had 99% of the potential fun, without having to do all the work.
Is there any chance you could borrow a couple of different rifles to see what turns your crank? Might save you some real money in the end. If you were closer, I'd happily loan you one for a month....In fact I'm away surfing for 3 months right after Xmas, I wouldn't even miss it. Purolator....
 
I used a traditional side lock for years and filled my tags every year with them. I have now switched to an inline only because my eyes don't work as good anymore, in the poor light of early morning and late afternoon. Get whatever you like and practice a lot.
 
Just finished a week of muzzle loading for deer,I use a in line not into traditional but each there own.The guy in Clinton has some great deals on in lines, I would recommend any one that has a hand turn breech plug my two cents!The inline is capable of longer shots than the more traditional firearms,my opinion only!
 
Modern inlines are much more versatile, and with more bullet type and weight sellection, and if you practice you can get great accuracy to almost 200 yards.
Wet and dry patch between shots when at range sighting in, for consistancy.
You can use a scope or fibre optic sights.
209 primers with powder pellets makes for simple and reliable loading and shooting.
Unless you decide you really want to go the Davey Crockette route and get a "Hawkin" or "side lock" traditional rifle.
 
I had a hawken for many years,even got my biggest buck w/it.I now own 2 knight disc magnums s/s and my longest kill is 236yds!They are sighted in for 200 yds w/3pellets,and shoots 10in high at 100 yds.They also shoot dead on at 100 yds w/2pellets.Much more confidence in the open country.P.S.(carry your rangefinder w/you at all times)!
 
I bought a CVA Wolf of the EE a couple years ago. The scope that came with it was worth almost what a new Wolf was. Have shot 2 deer with it, and very much enjoy a nice afternoon dicking around with it at the range. Very accurate with the 2 loads I have tried.
I use the White Hot pellets and love the convenience.
 
Just picked up a CVA Optima stainless/synthetic stocks from Sail. Just over $300. I've only shot it at the range so far and am quite happy with it. Have to try some different loads and see what it likes. Cheers Bac4
 
You might want to think about a Savage 10ML-11. It is the only muzzle-loader capable of shooting smokeless powder, and not having to be continually cleaning it is pretty handy.
You can sight it in and leave the barrel fouled, knowing that the first shot when your hunting won't be thrown off by a clean barrel.
 
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