BC Muzzle loader Hunting Season?

As for the comments about round ball vs buckhot in my mind there is no comparison. A decent MZ with proper twist can shoot 2 inch groups at 100 yards.

When I started a MZ tag was good for all open zones but if one failled to tag out then he ate the tag. Now a person is restricted to a particular zone, just like regular centre fire, but if unsuccessfull he can then use the same tag in the later regular rifle season, at which time he can continue with the MZ or opt for a modern center fire.

An argument that scopes for those with older eyes seemed to carry the argument. It was supported by the fact that traditional MZ shoot well enough to about 100 yards that both in-line and traditional can be seen as more simialr than different as they are one shot guns

A knowledgeable shooter may be able to get two inch groups at 100 yds but they are few and far between in my experience. Most shooters are probably lucky to get 1/2 their shots on paper at 100 yds.

Unless I am mistaken, Washington has or had a rule that if you got a muzzle loading license, you could start early but had to stick with a muzzle loader during the regular firearm season. The rationale was to eliminate hunters who bought a muzzle loader for 2 weeks extra hunting but did not practice with it. Essentially a way of increasing proficiency and reducing wounded deer.

While I have no problems with scopes for aging eyes (including mine) the considerably added range of a inline is the very reason that muzzle loading seasons were eliminated in BC. Limiting muzzle loaders to round ball only during any special season would more or less eliminate the inlines. While on the subject of inlines, I absolutely cannot see the purpose of a special season for inlines; with their added range, they are no different than a single shot cartridge rifle. In places like Ontario where there apparently are too many deer, just make the regular season longer or the bag limits bigger.

cheers mooncoon
 
Inline balistics

I agree with Mooncoon.

A modern inline has ballistics that surpass traditional muzzleloaders by far. That is why they are so popular in areas were there are ml hunts.....

While it is possible to get a 2" group at 100 yards, the trajectory is like a rainbow. Add up that, at least in my experience, you have to use lighter loads to get that type of accuracy out of a roundball gun as patches will be blown to heck and accuracy as well.

As far as eyesight and scopes. Hmmm, what about peep (tang) sights?

Anyway, the roundball only rule is the way to go. It solves the safety issue and removes the inlines from the game.
Sorry inline guys, but thier only purpose is to take advantage of loop holes in the game regs. Thats MY rant.

Steve
 
So what about SG's with slugs (traditional)? They are probably on par, if not inferior ballistacally to a good Roundball rifle. Shotguns with buckshot or bows are definately inferior.

Sorry guys, but to me, wanting special seasons for very specific faourite weapons seems pretty self serving.
 
bc muzzleloading season

there was such a season over 20 years ago in areas that had been restricted to shotguns using shot only....the idea was that m.l. weapons had limited range....but they did not prohibit the inlines, which have much longer range..

If they set a season once again, make it for patched round ball only, percussion or flint, smooth bore, no inlines, and primitive sights...
 
I know of several shooters who do shoot 2 inch groups. In fact a friend has a target which scored 50 with 4 x's The 10 ring being 2 inch and the X ring 1 inch.

As I said before the in-lines are a one shot gun when hunting whereas a single shot cartridge gun can be fired almost as quickly as a bolt. This is especially true if one uses a similar actioned shotgun. I had an H&R Handi and having used an O?U shotgun the break action posed no problems. Also I shoot a B78 Browning and will get aimed repeat shots in very close to the time the majority of bolt rifle shooters. There is no need to drop the gun from the shouloder with proper technique.

As for trajectory of round ball I use 90 Gr of Ffg behind a round ball in my T/C Renegade which carries a 30 inch 1 in 66 twist tube. My target load is 70 gr of Fffg. Out to 100 yards the trajectory is no problem. I do not shoot beyond that self imposed rule. I have taken scores of whitetail, mulies and at least 3 antelope bucks with the gun.
 
And a round ball is all that is needed to kill at 100 yards. Here is a mulie I got T/C Renegade using patched round ball.


brucedeer2005210643.jpg
 
Man I would sure love to see a dedicated muzzle loader season, even if it was a fall/spring turkey season to start. Tough for me to justify buying something I want just to play with at a range.
 
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