Looking at getting into Muzzleloader

[arcticap]

Great post. And I feel that the Inline rifles went a long way towards killing off the traditional rifle market. People wanted to hunt Black Powder special seasons but didn't want to learn how to do something new like shoot a patched round ball or use a flintlock or even the much more reliable cap lock rifles. They wanted easy and quick.

I wish they would only allow inline rifles during regular seasons and make BP seasons no scopes, no inlines. I wouldn't care if the special seasons were flintlock only like they do in Pennsylvania.

There's a misconception about Pennsylvania's muzzle loader seasons.
The early PA muzzle loader deer season does allow inlines.
It's only their late flintlock deer season that is limited to flintlocks.
How the people of Pennsylvania decide to regulate their hunting seasons is fine with me.

Nationally, the overpopulation of deer and less hunters in the field is the reason why we need all of the hunters and supporters of the 2A that we can muster.

 

[Mn Fats]

I dove head first into a muzzleloading rifle with a Lyman Flintlock kit. I'm sure glad I went that route instead of an inline (or a percussion cap for that matter). Hell of a lot of fun. I'll be hunting with it this year.

 

[ThomasT]

You are closer to Pennsylvania than I am so I will trust your information on the seasons there. And yep I am all for 2A support of course. But I admit I don't care much for the inlines or maybe its that I just don't care for the "short cut" they provided folks who want something special but don't want to make an effort to learn how to shoot a traditional gun. Most of the folks will use an inline for only the special season and then its put up until next year. Most would never consider using a BP rifle for a hunt during the regular season like us hardcore BP shooters.

I like the challenge. I didn't buy BP guns to make it easy. I was bored with how little effort it took to kill a deer with a centerfire gun. I won't hunt feeders. I scope out trails and rubs and set up to watch those. And I never stand hunt. I use a folding stool and set up on the edges of the woods. But to each his own.

 

[ericuda]

Is the savage smokeless powder muzzleloader a good option. Can't remember the model number but may be way easier to use and clean.

 

[arcticap]

Is the savage smokeless powder muzzleloader a good option. Can't remember the model number but may be way easier to use and clean.

I'm not sure how many states allow the use of a non-NMLRA approved smokeless powder during muzzle loader deer season,
but it may be even less than the number of states that allow breech loading black powder guns, or electronic ignition ML guns, which also isn't very many.

And because it has been discontinued, the Savage smokeless muzzle loaders have become more expensive to buy on the used market.

Here's an interactive map listing muzzle loader deer season regulations for each state:--->>> https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/articles/muzzleloader-regulations-by-state/

 

[ericuda]

Still a muzzle loader though right. Smokeless powder or not it still is classified as such.

 

[arcticap]

Yes, it absolutely is a muzzle loader.
But the states can also regulate which powders are legal to use during ML deer season.

 

[ericuda]

Ah I am new to that requirement. What states specify powder type.

 

[Rogue909]

I'd be interested in a smokeless variant if they are easier to maintain but it seems that most Muzzleloaders are black powder.

 

[arcticap]

Ah I am new to that requirement. What states specify powder type.

I posted this interactive map of state regulations above.--->>> https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/articles/muzzleloader-
They include many of the defining characteristics about which gun types and powders are legal in each state.
Some are vague and some are very specific. It's up to individuals to learn what's legal in their state, or in the states where a person would like to hunt.

 

[ericuda]

Thank you i missed that. Yep very good info. Quick looking i see Louisiana has black powder only or approved substitute. I would still look at the savage though smokeless for casual shooting for ease and can load black powder for hunting.

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

Is the savage smokeless powder muzzleloader a good option. Can't remember the model number but may be way easier to use and clean.

Savage doesn't make the 10-ML anymore. To many people can't read directions or ignore them and blow up their rifles.
There are custom makers of smokeless powder muzzle loaders but they are very costly.
Nothing about muzzle loaders difficult, just more involved than cartridge guns. You are reloading your own ammo with every shot so it is important to read up on the subject and know what you are doing.
Cleaning is not difficult either but you have to do it. I clean my front loaders with hot water and just a little dish soap. I'm sure there are how to videos on youtube.

 

[ThomasT]

Here is a gun you may be interested in. A Lyman Deerstalker in easy to maintain stainless steel. No its not an inline but it will teach you how to load and shoot a traditional BP rifle. Once you start shooting BP you may find you really like it. My bud worked on me for over a year before I would consider buying one. Once I did I never looked back.

This rifle has a 1/48 twist so you can shoot lead bullets or round balls. You said you wanted to learn to cast and this will shoot all the lead bullets you can make. And this gun is a little shorter than most BP rifles so its closer to the inlines in length with its 24" barrel. Just a thought.

https://www.gunbroker.com/item/788231085

 

[Pete D.]

There is way too much misunderstanding of the mechanics of muzzleloading. I have never been able to understand why many folk seem to enjoy making the use of MLers more difficult than it actually is.
It just aint that hard to do.
You buy a rifle. Pick one. Regardless of whether it is a flintlock, a caplock, an inline, you are goin to put powder in the thing from the muzzle, load a patched lead round ball (lrb) or a bullet of some type, seat it on the powder, prime the gun , aim and shoot.
When you get home, you are gonna wash your hands and you are also gonna wash your gun. Hot water, cold water, whichever, and some soap. Then you dry it, oil it and put it away. It aint hard to do. Kinda like washing the dishes after you eat.
Powders: I have used both subs and black. I prefer black. I use flintlocks way more than caps or inlines and flint guns dont like subs.

 

[Malachi Leviticus Blue]

Real Black Powder is not corrosive, however it does absorb moisture. So if you are not in a dry environment, BP fouling can help contribute to rust.

 

[whughett]

Well Pete D. yes absolutely until...………………...one is distracted and loads a ball over an empty barrel, or tries to run a dry patch down a fouled barrel and gets the ramrod stuck or has a tool come loose from the ramrod whilst trying to rectify one of the above. Just saying cartridge guns are way more simple, and not near as much fun.

BTW I've done all of the above.

 

[Pete D.]

Distraction. Yep....done all of the above...me too. What have I learned from this......routine, process, focus. Once I begin the process of loading the gun, I do not stop until the process is complete. That is the routine that I focus on.