Lighter weight muzzleloader?

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BridgeWalker

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I'd like to not miss deer season *again* next year, but I'm a little too nervous to join the masses on public land during regular firearm season.

And so, like countless others, I'm thinking of a muzzleloader. I've seen some folks shooting them, and a good friend just got a T/C Renegade. I played around with it a little bit, and it seems like something I could figure out.

The trouble is the weight. I have a pretty badly injured left shoulder. I shoot right-handed, but I'd still have to support the rifle with my left hand, and with the Renegade I just couldn't do it adaquetely. My left arm and hand are significantly weaker than my right and I get a lot of pain and unsteadiness if I push it too much. In shotgunning I ger around it by using a light upland gun, even for shooting clays. In pistol shooting, I shoot only one-handed. I need to figure out a solution for blackpowder shooting.

It seems like with the larger calibers, it's gonna be impossible to avoid a very heavy gun. Am I wrong? Are there lighter weight options? If no (and I'm pretty sure it's a no), how should I get around it? Shooting stick? Bi-pod of some kind?
 
I shall investigate the legality. I'm in MI, and I suspect that it is legal. What kind of accuracy would that have though? I'm not looking for super long range, of course, but is it really suitable for deer-hunting?
 
There used to be some 5.5 pound models, and there are currently 6 pound models with synthetic stocks that feel lighter than a TC with its heavy barrel.
One is the Traditons Deerhunter with synthetic stock, and there are others.

Also, some single barrel smoothbore muzzle loading shotguns (fowlers) have very thin & light barrels and can shoot patched roundballs accurately up to 50 yards. A 28 gauge shotgun shoots about .52 caliber patched round balls.
 
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My shotgun weighs about 7 pounds, and I do ok with that, but I'm swinging it more than trying to hold it steady. But I do manage ok with that.

Yeah, a six pounder sounds just exactly perfect. I shall look into that. This is a fairly long process for me--not looking to buy anything tomorrow! Just thinking and planning for next fall already.

And of course, the nice hex (?) barrel and gorgeous wood and brass is wonderfully appealing. But, if I can't aim it or even hold it, all the pretty wood and brass in the world don't mean much. ;)
 
Regarding the Walker - it's certainly powerful enough to take a whitetail, but you need to be close and sure of your shot. Also, it's a two hand hold. It weighs about 4 1/2 pounds; your off hand would not have to support much weight but it is needed for stability.

IMHO it takes a lot of practice - you need to know your revolver very well to use a Walker as your primary hunting gun. If you're good enough it would be great fun, but I think a lot of experience would be necessary.

And yes, a Walker would be a legal hunting weapon for the deer season in Michigan.

Articap's advice is good. A modern synthetic stock, either a caplock or an inline, should meet your needs nicely. And I'd consider a bipod, too.
 
The Thompsons are built like a Tank ..life time warrenty too boot ...But the guns are built heavy ...I have several and they don`t see much action because of the weight and my shoulder injuries too ......the Renagade has a 1 inch thick barrel ...the Hawken comes in a 1 inch or 15/16 ..if you get a 54 cal ..in the 15/16 it will be the lightest they make , the 54 cal is a bigger bore , thus less weight in the barrel .......OR CVA guns are about the lightest ..not built to stand the riggors of war ..but good enough for deer season much cheaper way to get into muzzle loader season too.
 
Delta9,

Check out the Traditions Deerhunter. I just got a used flintlock version in 50 caliber with a synthetic stock. It is short and very light, maybe six pounds. My 5 foot tall wife can shoulder it comfortably and it doesn't bother her wrists even when they are giving her trouble. Hope this helps.

Regards, Jeff
 
Delta9
Just for what it's worth you should check out the Knight model lk93 they have been around forever, and only weight about 6 lbs or less,you can pick them up if you check the sales for about $125.00, they will have everything you to get you going. I picked one up last year, 209 primer kit, a regular nipple kit, short starter, capper, and 3 quick loaders.
 
Thanks for all the suggestions! I was kinda' bummed when I realized that I couldn't handle my friends Renegade. Great to know I have so many options. :D
 
Michigan also.

Hey there.
I too live in Michigan and not that far from you. About 82 miles west and a little south. Anyway... You can hunt here with a .44 cal. or larger. ( handgun)
In a ML. You may want to check into the Encore by T/C. It is not cheap. But is also a one time purchase. This is one of the best built handguns for hunting there is. And they have a .50 cal. ML. barrel for it . You can then add any caliber barrel you wish. Open sights or scope it. Sling it with a Tall bi-Pod and you have an awsome hunting weapon. I use the Encore rifle. But will soon convert it to a handgun also. These are incredibly accurate and have far more power than any wheel gun in the Black powder class. They are also a pleasure to fire. Hope this helps. I'm 1/2 way between GR. and Kazzoooo.:)
 
what is your intended method of hunting? from a blind simply lay something horizontal across your intended target area for a cheap easy to do rest. Same applies if you just sidle up against a deadfall tree.

Traditions guns are good, i use em. The deerhunter is listed as a light weight in the synthetic stocked version. points GOOD, shoulders GREAT. Easier to tote and shoulder then an 870.

The elcheapo bundled kits ive seen in Walmart for break open muzzleloaders just look like a joke,
Have you tried one of those "cattlemans carbines"? Long barrel, shoulder stock, actual sights, and left hand would be in a low weight bearing/steadying use only.
 
Canoe Guns:

I have some of the same problems.
It would take a little looking but you could make/have made
something like this.
http://underhammers.com/bootpistolcanoegun.htm

I also have some light smooth bores I use that are great and large caliber.
Mulegun2.jpg

Also a pistol with a shoulder stock.
Deer_gun.jpg

Lots of options for you. Make you own, have something made,
look and ask around.

If I can help you in any way I would be happy to.


Tinker2
 
You may want to consider 'shooting sticks'. The don't cost much and they work very well. I'vd used them a couple of times with my CVA...Okay...
 
Lighter weight muzzleloader

Let me recommend the Traditions Deerhunter, Available as a two-barreled kit gun with a .32 and .50 cal. barrels or a finished flintlock, or a finished .50 with wood stock and fiber-optic sights.I own a TC Hawkin with 15/16 inch barrel and it's a bear to handle for limited folks.I also own a Traditions Penn. Hawkin in .50 cal. and it is much easier to handle than the TC.It also shoots very well.When I bought it in the mid-eighties it was advertized to shoot a 3" 3-shot group at 100 yards with round balls, mine will do better than that.If you want a TC, find a good deal on one and saw it off a few inches at a time until it is easy for you to handle, re-crown and have at it!
 
Rather than shooting sticks, I use a walking staff. There are aluminum adjustable height ones that work very well and make moving through the field or woods much easier. They also work well for a mono-pod type shooting support. I use it for the steadiness it allows on standing shots. Sitting? You can still use it in a variety of ways for support.
 
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