et1
Member
Posts: 120
Location: Ontario Canada
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Post by et1 on Jun 22, 2014 5:26:47 GMT -5
I would be interested and enjoy hearing the contributing factors that introduced you to muzzle-loading. For me it started out as additional time to hunt deer with good friends who were into muzzle loading. For years I avoided muzzle loading because it seemed dirty and the bore needed immediate cleaning afterwards. My first ML was a Rem. 700ML using Triple-7 powder and 44Cal bullets. Accuracy out to 80yds was barely acceptable for deer hunting and a few years went by before discovering the Savage 10ML-II designed for smokeless powder usage. When I went with smokeless muzzle-loading everything changed including my attitude about muzzle-loaders. It took a few years to get on track and I became like a sponge learning everything I could about muzzle loading. Surprisingly there was a lot to learn about the amount of variables in play. Today I have my desired level of accuracy of MOA out to 200yds. But also surprisingly still feel there is more yet to learn. I still enjoy reloading and shooting CF rifles but ML'ing with all its challenges has me in its clutch's.  Ed |
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on Jun 22, 2014 6:01:00 GMT -5
My dad collected antique French and English fire arms all his live (when the Dutch gun laws were not as bad as today). He never ever shot one of his antique guns. That to me was a waste so when I got my permit at the age of 18 I asked him if I could bring one of his old muzzle loaders to the range. Low and behold he agreed.
Together we tried his Napoleonic pattern 1800 (0.625" ball). We got some instructions (and materials) from a local range master. That was my first shot ever with a muzzle loader. And since than I can't imagine that I will ever stop shooting muzzle loaders. I'm hooked on it.
In the 1990's I started earning my own money (in the Army) a good deal went on buying antique guns, when my dad past away a couple years ago I inherited his collection. But my wish list is not complete.....LOL.
Buying/owning modern muzzle loaders over here in the Netherlands is possible but these guns must be fully registerd on your gun permit, and not every range allows the usage of the good old smoke poles. But antique muzzle loaders are free to own and collect (for now). So this is why I shoot antique rifles. My most accurate one is a Springfield model 1863 in pristine condition, for competition I use a Kentucy long rifle (caliber .40)...... man that rifle is still a winner.
PJ
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Post by ultramag on Jun 22, 2014 8:22:47 GMT -5
I got started shooting ML's while working in a Tool & Die shop. Three other guys I worked with were into the mountain man rendezvous thing and I got sucked in as another way to shoot more and spend time with like minded folks. I was a young single guy making a good living and working and shooting tons. I was also shooting competitive sporting clays leagues at the time. Work, eat, shoot, sleep.....wasn't much else going on until hunting seasons came around in the fall.
I started shooting traditional and when I got out last year had worked my way up to a TC Encore in .50 cal. I just don't have the time for it anymore. With two young boys and full time working I can't do the guns I have justice. I made some consolidations and rearrangements to my collection over the last couple years for many reasons and decided to sell the TC and get out of ML'ing while I was at it. I can rarely get deer hunting in the late season worked in time wise and usually have plenty of venison put up by then anyway. Another major factor for me was MO changed the laws and we can handgun hunt in the muzzleloader seasons now and I'd rather handgun hunt anyway. Just as challenging, if not more so, now that muzzleloaders have gotten to the point they're at.
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7th
Member
Posts: 19 
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Post by 7th on Jun 22, 2014 9:53:44 GMT -5
I got started back in 1974 when Ohio let you use them, Mountain State Muzzle Loader had opened up not long before this and with a Ky Long gun .45, I was off and running. Today, the family still uses more ML for Ohio deer than anything else. I also got into shooting Yanks and my eviltwin (No#3 son) loves it also, we are part of the 17th VA Cav. Just something about bug bullets and white smoke.
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Post by wychild on Jun 22, 2014 12:21:35 GMT -5
I had Moved to the Atlanta Georgia area in the 80's and was driving around the area when ran across a shooting range and they were having a ML shoot, so I stopped to watch as I had never seen a ML before.
I was talking to one of the shooters and he asked me if I would like to try shooting one, naturally I said yes. It was a 32 caliber flint lock. he showed me what to do and then he picked out a steel pig about 30 yards away and said, see if you can hit that. Well anybody that has shot a flint lock, knows that it is like a bow you have to hold until after everything stops moving.
I was really surprised when I heard it hit the pig ( could not see it for the smoke}with my first shot and so was the guy. So he showed me how to load it and said he wanted me to shoot at the pig again. When I hit the pig again, he just smiled and shook his head and said he didn't believe that I had not shot a ML before. I told him no one was more surprised then me and I assured him that I had never seen one much less shot one before. I had so much fun shooting that flint lock, I knew I was hooked.I now have a 54 cal Hawkins and a flint lock Kentucky long rifle in 50 cal. I am not at all interested in the new stile black powder rifles.
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Post by krwada on Jun 22, 2014 18:52:56 GMT -5
I am afraid of muzzle loaders. I am afraid because I know that once I shoot one ... I will want to purchase one!!!
I think maybe ... it is time ... for ... me.... to .... get .... a bigger safe!
Heh!
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gws
Member
Posts: 969
Location: NW New Mexico
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Post by gws on Jun 22, 2014 19:04:48 GMT -5
I bought two, a Hawken 54 Caliber and a Kentucky Rifle kit, in 1974. For me it didn't take. I think it was the gun cleaning process!!!  I sold them both a year later....kit was still unbuilt. The other factor was the friend who got me interested......moved! Now you know......I hate gun cleaning anyway.... he didn't warn me. Maybe things have improved. |
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Post by hacker54 on Jun 22, 2014 20:53:16 GMT -5
Ken,
They are fun to shoot. I had a CVA Hawken in 50cal. Sold it to raise Uncle Sam Tax money a few years back. I did use this for our special flintlock season here in PA. No did not bag a deer with it. Would love to get another flintlock again.
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et1
Member
Posts: 120
Location: Ontario Canada
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Post by et1 on Jun 24, 2014 6:27:48 GMT -5
Just want to thank all of you who responded to my thread and enjoyed reading every one.
Ed
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mule
Member
Retired. Sales
Posts: 96
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Post by mule on Jun 26, 2014 0:55:08 GMT -5
In the early 80's, Missouri was implementing a BP whitetail season. Then, you could hunt a week of BP, but, you were required to use BP for the regular rifle season. The idea of getting an extra week of hunting appealed to me. Now the rules have morphed into anything goes season, anything but rimfire or centerfire rifles.
At that time I was a traveling sales guy. One of my customers had a Hawken style rifle leaning in the corner behind his desk. I looked at that rifle for a year and never asked about it. One day I brought it up and my customer had it in the office because he didn't like it and was looking to trade. So we did some trading. A week later white smoke invaded my lungs and I am forever addicted. That fall a whitetail doe fell to my .440 round ball.
I am slowly warming up to in-lines. I have learned to enjoy the challenge of Black Powder Cartridge shotgun sports.
Too much fun to be had. Too little time.
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hal8337
Member
Posts: 89
Location: Livonia, Louisiana
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Post by hal8337 on Jul 15, 2014 7:01:56 GMT -5
My first experience with a ML was my brothers 50 cal percussion cap. Made a few hunts but never shot on any deer. Then when the in-line came out I was like all the rest in my area and had to get one. It started out with a 1 powered scope only and changed into an adjustable. I killed a few deer. The last few years the laws have changed and now the what I call the big bore guns (45-70,444 & recently the 35 Whelan) have taken over but they don't interest me much. I don't hunt any more but still enjoy shooting my ML at the range. |
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jbnut
Member
Posts: 169
Location: Warren, Pennsylvania
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Post by jbnut on Jul 15, 2014 20:27:01 GMT -5
A friend from work is the one who got me in to muzzle loader hunting. He would always tell me how much fun he and the group he hunted with always had. It took him a few years of harassing me but I finally broke down and bought a TC Firestorm so I could get started. Then the harassment really started, black stock- stainless barrel, now he calls me high-tech. He had a TC Renegade a real black powder rifle. 
Well when my son got old enough I bought him a used TC Hawken for Christmas. That boy has harvested 4 or 5 deer with it now  , me I'm still batting 0  . Oh well it is fun to get out.
A couple of years ago my friend built a Long Rifle that he always wanted and then I bought his old Renegade for son #2. Son #2 moved to Ohio a couple of weeks ago and so far has left his guns here. Maybe I'll have to try the Renegade this year if it's still here then.
Oh and by the way, my Firestorm really hates round balls but if I shoot the Power Belt bullets it is pretty good. The rifling is too fast for round balls. |
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I sold them both a year later....kit was still unbuilt. The other factor was the friend who got me interested......moved! Now you know......I hate gun cleaning anyway.... he didn't warn me. Maybe things have improved.
, me I'm still batting 0 
. Oh well it is fun to get out.
My daughter came from Missouri, my son and grand son, my wife and I had a nice dinner of grilled "porter house" pork chops, corn on the cobb, my son, G'son and I share 10/5. G'son is 4 minutes early though @ 10/4.
Pooh I hope you find to right house . 
