First muzzle loader

[Sparky]

Here in the Heart of Dixie we're having an iron sights only muzzle loader season that opens three days prior to "regular" gun season. Since I'll have 3 more hunting days, I'm gonna spring for a front stuffer. The local Sam's Club has a Remington 700 muzzle loader kit(gun,bullets,cleaning stuff,etc.) for $399. Since I'm totally new to the world of muzzle loaders some sage advice from ya'll would be appreciated. Btw .. the 700 is attractive because it's an in-line, uses pelleted propellant, 209 primers etc'etc

 

[4v50 Gary]

The Remington is as good as in-lines get. Good lock time and the barrel material is the same as for their cartridge guns.

That said, I'm traditional and prefer the designs of the 1700-1800s. Just a matter of choice, that's all.

 

[Smokey Joe]

New technology for this years deer season?????

It's already November. Unless your deer season comes in January or later, or you have an awful lot more spare time than the average working stiff, I can't think how you are going to acquire not just a new rifle, but a whole unfamiliar technology, and become proficient with it in time to humanely hunt deer this year.

It ain't like you always shot a .30-'06 so now you're going to try your buddy's .280 Rem.

Sorry to throw cold H2O, but seriously, if you wait'll after Xmas you'll find them with lower price tags, and that will give you 11 months to learn about loading and shooting BP as opposed to smokeless cartridge weapons, and to sight in your particular rifle so's you KNOW it'll hit what you point it at.

 

[Redlg155]

I kinda agree but at the same time disagree with Smokey Joe.

Marksmanship principles are just that..marksmanship. It doesn't matter if you pick up a black powder rifle or centerfire, you will hit with both if you can shoot.

Todays 209 shotgun primers, sabot bullets and pelletized powders have taken many of the difficulties out of black powder shooting. Most if not all modern bp fast twist inline rifles will shoot relatively well with the majority of sabot bullets and 2 50grain pellets of pyro/777. Enough to be minute of whitetail deer at 100 yards.

Just make sure you know the limitations of your chosen bullet/powder combination. There shouldn't be many circumstances where you can't get within 100 yards of a whitetail. That's right there in BP range. Get a couple of good days in to practice and know your trajectories.

Oh..and do try some 777 powder. You'll be glad that you did when cleanup time comes.


Good Shooting
Red