Hunting with muzzleloaders

[ARperson]

This year marks my first foray into the hunting game. Going for the whitetail. More interested in meat than a tropy, but wouldn't be upset if it happened to look good too!

I was just wondering how many others use muzzleloaders for hunting and wondered if you'd share some stories. Things like lessons-learned would be really great. I never like to re-invent the wheel if I don't have to.

Thanks.

J

 

[critter]

I love hunting with a ML. It is a little slower, more peaceful, more intimate type of hunting.

Muzzle loaders can be quite accurate-at their intended ranges. Some 'hints'. Do not try to 'stretch' the range on the ML as the more arched trajectory and quick loss of bullet energy take their toll quickly. Treat it more like bow hunting than hunting with a modern, high powered, high velocity, flat shooting rifle and you will do well.

The classis 'bam-flop' is often possible with a ML but do not expect it. (You will get it if you hit a solid supporting body structure but unlikely otherwise.) Also, you do not have the high velocity and rapid expansion to kill a deer quickly. You are more likely (than with modern gun) have a blood trail to follow. A ML projectile also kills more like an arrow than a high velocity bullet-that is, they punch a hole and let the animal quickly bleed out. Get close and make sure you get a double hole-one in, one out and you will do fine. The bigger the hole the better. I use a .54 cal-why?-cause I couldn't find a .64 caliber!

I'll probably get 'flame' from this post as many will swear they can kill a deer every shot dead on the spot from 200 yds with a ML and the modern saboted slugs, but hunting experience will soon tell you otherwise.

Good luck and, believe me , it IS a LOT of fun!

 

[Newt]

ARperson,

I've been hunting whitetail all of my life, but not with a muzzeloader. In fact, I just bought my first one about 3 years ago (this will be the third season to use it). I knew nothing about them before I bought one. I have since learned several things about them. I've heard too many stories about "snapping caps" on deer to make me want to change to the shotgun primer first thing. You have to change your nipple out in order to do that but you can do that with the wrench that came with it and a new nipple costs about 5 bucks. Worth the money in my opinion. Got 2 nice bucks with mine last year. Clean your gun often and keep it dry... you'll never have to worry with it not going off.

BTW... I use a .50 cal. but to each his own.... critter.

Newt