Scope for a Muzzleloader(OK, an Inline)

[JmacD]

This is a question about optics, but it’s also referring more to a black powder/inline application, so if it belongs elsewhere, I would appreciate help moving it there from the great bunch of moderators here.
I’m setting up/getting ready to set up a 50 cal CVA accura LR-x/MR-x. I’m trying to determine what scope to put on it(the irons are for the “cap gun”). I see burris and Leopold have specific muzzleloader scopes. But I’ve got a couple of “regular” scopes on the shelf “between rifles” right now. Any thoughts? What’s the difference?

 

[entropy]

Scopes specifically for M/L, (also the same as shotgun scopes) have the fixed parallax set shorter then the usual 100 yards, generally at 50 yards. If you're sighting in for 50, they would be a better choice. If you're sighting in at 100, one of yours should do.

 

[JmacD]

Scopes specifically for M/L, (also the same as shotgun scopes) have the fixed parallax set shorter then the usual 100 yards, generally at 50 yards. If you're sighting in for 50, they would be a better choice. If you're sighting in at 100, one of yours should do.

Well, loaded with blackhorn 209 and eld sabots…. I’m gonna try what I got…worst thing to happen is it won’t work, and I get another one. Lol.

 

[Hugger-4641]

That Acura is good to 200yds+ with the right load. One of the regular scopes you have would be fine. I have a Sig Buckmaster 3x9x40 on my Optima LR.

 

[red rick]

You will be fine with what you have . I put a 2-7x33 Redfield on mine . I am pulling my scope off this season and putting a Williams peep sight on it . I never shoot further than 100 yards , or at dust .

 

[LoonWulf]

Functionally whatever you have on the shelf should work fine. Ive got a Athlon Argos HMR 4-20x50 on my Ml-2, only because that was the scope that was missing a rifle when i got it. Turns out the things accurate enough to make use of the adjustments in the scope so it's stayed.

If looking at a NEW scope, Id take a look at the Bushnell 3-12x40 Primes. Korean made with good glass, ok turrets (includes muzzy specific turrets caps if thats your thing also), and on sale most places. I just bought 3 of the older ones that dont come with the multiple turret caps, and am quite happy with them.

 

[Nasty Canasta]

Scoped muzzleloader is like a red dot on a 1911, just doesn’t look right to me. I’d look at a peep or tang site if your wanting to shoot past 100 yards & enjoy the simplicity, speed, field of view, & nostalgia of a quality set of iron sights that can easily match & often exceed what a scope can do.

 

[kje54]

Scoped muzzleloader is like a red dot on a 1911, just doesn’t look right to me. I’d look at a peep or tang site if your wanting to shoot past 100 yards & enjoy the simplicity, speed, field of view, & nostalgia of a quality set of iron sights that can easily match & often exceed what a scope can do.

It's an inline so already an unholy abomination and putting a scope on it isn't going to matter............ It's not like he's defacing any real muzzleloaders.........

 

[nettlle]

I use a regular Leupold 3x9 scope and have for years. Might want to consider quick detach rings. Makes cleaning a lot easier.

 

[redneck2]

I use a regular Leupold 3x9 scope and have for years. Might want to consider quick detach rings. Makes cleaning a lot easier.

^^^^This^^^^

when I was muzzleloader hunting with an in-line I used a regular scope. I see little difference between a muzzleloader and something like a .35 Remington or .45-70 for example

 

[Hookeye]

Unless you're riding a mule to your hunting spot and wearing clothes you made from the sheep out back's wool..........use whatever.
I've not run flinters (prefer percussion). Killed a few w side hammers and inlines. Inlines were scoped. Reg 4x, out to 150 yards felt like cheating.
Ran peep and reg bbl sights on sidehammers.
Am older, eyes gone to heck.
Will pop the rear sight off my TC Hawken Silver Elite and run a reflex if I can.

 

[Hookeye]

I like scopes w decent eye relief and forgiving eye box.
Might wear an extra layer late season compared to reg gun season.
In the woods or up close on a mover, like less magnification. 1-5X or 2-7X would be good........on dang near anything.

 

[JmacD]

Scoped muzzleloader is like a red dot on a 1911, just doesn’t look right to me. I’d look at a peep or tang site if your wanting to shoot past 100 yards & enjoy the simplicity, speed, field of view, & nostalgia of a quality set of iron sights that can easily match & often exceed what a scope can do.

It's an inline so already an unholy abomination and putting a scope on it isn't going to matter............ It's not like he's defacing any real muzzleloaders.........

Hahaha. I’m in agreement!!! No scope shall get near the “real” muzzleloaders. “Cap gun” or flintlock.
ETA: in my state, a spear is legal… maybe I’ll have to get very traditional. Lol

 

[LoonWulf]

Hahaha. I’m in agreement!!! No scope shall get near the “real” muzzleloaders. “Cap gun” or flintlock.

Thats why i run a smokeless front stuffer! My modern optics are the least offensive part of the package lol.

 

[Gerd33]

My Thompson Center Omega ended up with a Mid-1970s 3x9 Bushnell Scope Chief VI because that's what I had sitting around and available

 

[kje54]

Hahaha. I’m in agreement!!! No scope shall get near the “real” muzzleloaders. “Cap gun” or flintlock.

Just in case I accidentally get too close to an inline I always carry a cross, holy water and a sharpened wooden stake.........

 

[JmacD]

Just in case I accidentally get too close to an inline I always carry a cross, holy water and a sharpened wooden stake.........

I load em with silver bullets

 

[Hookeye]

I hunt w a recurve bow and carbon arrows.
So a sidehammer w optic is doable LOL

 

[Ks5shooter]

I standardize scopes on my hunting guns.Muzzleloader.rifle and slug gun.Same on all three Leupold VXR 3-9 40mm.Makes muscle memory in all seasons the same.

 

[22250Rem]

My 50 cal. CVA Accura MR-X already had a Weaver / Pic rail welded to it when I got it, along with no iron sights. So I assume that it's not being sinful to scope it ? Had a 1-4x Leupold here that formerly was on my 30-30 and it's a nice scope for woodland deer hunting where it's rare to get a shot at anything over 100 yards, which is my intended use. I hadn't thought of the Parallax differences on shotgun & muzzleloader scopes but the scope seems to be working out fine for me so far. That tells me that I shouldn't worry too much about Parallax at those ranges, or am I missing something?

 

[entropy]

It's not much of is problem either way, but you'll get your best accuracy, and a clearer sight picture, if you sight in at the distance the parallax is set at.

As this article illustrates, it is more of an issue for hunting if you try a snap shot, and don't get the gun mounted correctly.


https://www.abbeysupply.com/resources/what-is-scope-parallax


For a scoped serious social rifle, you can see why an adjustable parallax is important. It is also important for unknown distance long range shooting, which is why adjustable parallax first started showing up on scopes for prairie dogging and Western big game.

 

[steveus101]

I put a Burris Fullfield 4x fixed on my Encore .50 cal muzzleloader and it has worked out perfectly.

 

[alsaqr]

My inline muzzleloaders are scoped. The Encore .50 has a 4X Zeiss, the Traditions Buckstalker has a 3X9 Minox ZV3, the TC Black Diamond wears a 3X9 Minox ZA3 and my .54 caliber TC Fire Hawk has an old Weaver Grand Slam 3X10. .

That Weaver Grand Slam scope was originally on .50 caliber CVA Magnum Hunter rifle. From a good sitting position i killed a 200 pound sow running full tilt at 216 lasered yards.