Modern Muzzel loader for deer / moose / bear

Dr.Chris

Dr.Chris

Regular
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
London and Toronto, Ontario
Hi All,

I'm considering doing some deer hunting next season, but I've been told most of the nearby lands are bow and muzzel loader only so I'm starting to look at muzzel loaders.

Ideally I'd like something modern, accurate, that you can mount a scope on, and preferably with more than one shot (i.e.: over/under or something similar). Does such a gun exist?

Going forward I'd like to be able to use the same gun for deer or moose...

Chris
 
One more thing...

I suppose I'd also like a percussion cap type of mechanism so that I can "unload" (i.e.: remove the cap therefore "unloading" it as defined under Ontari hunting regs). quickly and easily.

Chris
 
What I found so far...

The only gun that matches this description so far is Traditions' "Double Express":
REX101-large.jpg

Yes, it is for real, a 2 shot muzzleloader! Traditions is proud to offer you a modern over/under muzzleloader with rifled barrels to increase your firepower by 100%. Don’t worry if you miss the first time, you have another one with the Express Double. Built on a rock solid premium steel frame with four locking lugs that allow you to load one magnum charge in each barrel.(up to 150 grains of powder each). The stock & forend are made from a high quality walnut and have a satin finish for most types of big game hunting. Double trigger system is designed to ensure a quick second shot by giving you access to a second trigger directly behind the first one.

• .50 caliber - 24" Blued barrels with a 1 in 28" twist in each
• 209 Shotgun primer ignition
• Quick release lever for instant barrel priming
• Double trigger
• PAS – Projectile Alignment system
• Rubber recoil pad
• Top tang safety
• Fiber optic sights
• Drilled & tapped for a scope
• Sling swivel studs
• Aluminum ramrod
• No FFL required – Muzzleloader only.
Click to expand...
Chris
 
The double looks great (I passed up a shot at a deer last year which i would have taken if there had been a second one readily available) . i would check on the weight though. Another option you may want to consider is the Savage in line muzzleloader which uses smokeless. Yoiu'll feel like practicing a lot more if you don't have to go through an elaborate cleaning session after very shooting session.

I have a Remington MLS right now which is OK but I will be going to the Savage smokeless ML - with the barrel chopped to 19 to 20 inches for ease of handling and less weight.
 
Nice gun :cool: but I don't think the double barrel is legal for ML season .... :confused: here in Qc, it wouldn't be as it states "single barrel only".



Edited to add:

From Qc hunting regs:

Note 2 : When hunting for white-tailed deer or for black bear during the muzzle-loading firearm, bow and crossbow season, “muzzle-loading firearm” designates muzzle-loading single-barrel shotguns and rifles, of a 11 millimetre (.45) calibre or greater, used with one bullet at a time.

Note 3 : When hunting for moose during the muzzle-loading firearm, bow and crossbow season, “muzzle-loading firearm” designates muzzle-loading single-barrel shotguns and rifles, of a 12.7 millimetre (.50) calibre or greater, used with one bullet at a time.
 
Last edited:
Ontario Definition

The Ontario Hunting Guide definition of a muzzle loader is:
A muzzle-loader is a gun that is loaded through the muzzle.
A percussion muzzle-loading gun is considered to be loaded
if there is a charge of powder and a projectile in the barrel
and a percussion cap on the nipple. A flintlock muzzle-loading
gun is considered to be loaded if there is a charge of powder
and a projectile in the barrel and the vent is unplugged.
Click to expand...
Nothing about number of barrels...

Double barreled muzzleloaders are legal in Maine, there could be more States, I'm still researching...

Chris
 
Last edited:
Make your first shot count and you won't need a second shot. Many of us use traditional rifles, iron sights, and round balls to fill our tags with no problem at all. So you shouldn't need a second shot with the modern setup you want. The equipment is less important, than how you use it. I use the muzzleloader season to still hunt, and find most shots are under 50 yards, and at a standing animal. Whatever you get, enjoy your time afield.
 
I have hunted for years with Muzzleloaders and feel that practice is most important. Not only practice in the actual shooting but practice in reloading, placing a cap on or the 209 primer. I really feel that if you want the second barrel then go for it, however don't use it as a crutch to allow for improper shot placement or a hurried shot. You can kill any of the big game animals with a .50 cal with the right bullet. I started using the new powder from American Pioneer Powder " Jim Shockey Gold". It clean up with water and no rotten egg smell. I also think that a quality rifle is a good investment and will hold its value. T.C. is hard to beat.
 
I'll throw my 2 cents worth for savage. I've owned 3 TC's, 3 Knight's, Safari arms, H@R. By far the best performance, convenience from all aspects is the savage. The fit and finish of the TC's and Knight's are better but the performance cannot compare. Solid accuracy with 300 gr XTP's at 2200 fps.

nuf said
 
Savage 10MLSS-II Camo

Ok I'm really liking the Savage Model 10MLSS-II Camo

10mlII_camoss.jpg


Call it innovation...call it thinking out of the box...at Savage, we call it listening to the needs of the hunter. That's why we developed the world's first smokeless powder muzzleloader. The 10ML-II's barrel and hardened breech plug are designed to safely contain the pressures from shooting smokeless. And, since smokeless powders are non-corrosive, the 10ML-II is a muzzleloader hunter's dream come true--clean it next week or next month--you decide.

The 10ML-II is loaded with options. Use smokeless powder, black powder, Pyrodex or other black powder substitutes--the choice is yours. Set trigger pull weight to your own requirements--the revolutionary AccuTrigger is a standard on the 10ML-II. This 50 caliber rifle with 209 primer ignition can deliver 1 1/2" groups at 100 yards and produces velocities exceeding 2,300 fps. With more than 3,000 foot pounds of knock down energy, the 10ML-II is muzzleloading perfection that caters to every taste.

Caliber: .50
Overall Length: 44"
Barrel Length: 24"
Weight: 7.75 lbs.
Stock: Synthetic, Realtree Hardwoods® HD™ camo pattern with positive checkering, dual pillar bedding.
Sights: Adjustable fiber optic green rear sight fiber optic red front sight. Drilled and tapped for scope mounts.
Rifling Rate of Twist: 1 in 24"
Features: AccuTriggerTM, Stainless barreled action, heavy contour, button-rifled barrel with crowned muzzle, and sling swivel studs.
Click to expand...

Where can I buy one (preferably cheap) in Canada? I want Camo and stainless...

Chris
 
The fact that you have a wide assortment of quick-change barrels in just about every caliber/gauge.
I started out with the 209x50 SS, Then went with a .204 Ruger bbl, and now a .300 Win Mag bbl.
It's a pretty good system if ask me?
If however, i wanted one dedicated m.l. I'd go with either the new Triumph or the Savage.
 
Huntsman said:
The fact that you have a wide assortment of quick-change barrels in just about every caliber/gauge.
I started out with the 209x50 SS, Then went with a .204 Ruger bbl, and now a .300 Win Mag bbl.
It's a pretty good system if ask me?
If however, i wanted one dedicated m.l. I'd go with either the new Triumph or the Savage.
Click to expand...
So is it part muzzleloader part centre fire rifle?
 
Huntsman said:
Hopefully this will help shed some light;

http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/encore.php

:)
Click to expand...
Wow I really like this system. But realisticly is there much price or skill advantage over buying individual rigs?

That is: is it a LOT cheaper than buying a dedicated rimfire, a dedicated centerfire, and a dedicated muzzelloader? Is there a LOT of skill transfer in firing the same back end with a different barrel?

Additionally, it seems like you're locked into single shot on all of these, where it may be advantagous to get a 10+ shot mag for .22 rimfire, 5 shots for centerfire, etc.

Don't get me wrong, it is a REALLY cool setup, I'm just wondering how much of it is just gadget factor (and I'm a gadget guy so I REALLY appreciate gadget factor) and how much is real world practicality.

Chris
 
Another rpoint Re: the TC systems. if you do a lot of shooting all of the wear and tear is one reciever. Buy several guns the wear and tear goes down.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom