Inline / Muzzle Loaders / Blackpowder

[BDinPutnam]

Bear with me as I know almost nothing about these. I'd like to pick up something for next deer season for late muzzle season (southern zone)- reliable, easy to clean, good for all kinds of weather, without breaking the bank.

I was out with my crossbow in the late season this year but I'd rather have a gun if I can. Deer patterns are obviously different in December than they are in early November; I'd like to stalk/still hunt them then but the crossbow is awful front heavy for it (and the extra range would come in handy).

Someday I would like to get a nice traditional wall hanger that actually shoots but I'm thinking between budget and my use (couple weeks a year not including off-season practice) I want something that's idi- uh, BD-proof.

 

[Blimey]

Go to Walmart now as they have slight sales on them now.

Get a CVA wolf in stainless. Sell the scope it with on eBay, put a Nikon 3x9x40 onnit. For under $400 you will have a beautifully balanced MZ and when shooting shockwave sabot bullets it’s very accurate. My best three shot 100 yard group has been just under an inch though normally it is 2-3. However that is also with 777 pellets which are arguably a touch less consistent than the newer powder some people use (can’t quite recall its name).

Even though they are “stainles” they can still rust so be sure to clean as soon as you can after shooting. Normally you will load it and just take the primer out between hunts so that the load is still in the gun.

 

[Bustedknees]

Thompson Center Grey Hawk .50 cal T/C SS stainless - Black Powder Rifles & Muzzleloader Rifles at GunBroker.com : 794484930
I have two of these.. I still run strait black powder and the barrel removes with one simple pin then it goes into the kitchen sink for soap and hot water..

 

[CaseHardened]

Bear with me as I know almost nothing about these. I'd like to pick up something for next deer season for late muzzle season (southern zone)- reliable, easy to clean, good for all kinds of weather, without breaking the bank.

I was out with my crossbow in the late season this year but I'd rather have a gun if I can. Deer patterns are obviously different in December than they are in early November; I'd like to stalk/still hunt them then but the crossbow is awful front heavy for it (and the extra range would come in handy).

Someday I would like to get a nice traditional wall hanger that actually shoots but I'm thinking between budget and my use (couple weeks a year not including off-season practice) I want something that's idi- uh, BD-proof.

MUST READ: Dangerous Muzzleloaders

 

[CaseHardened]

Personally I'd go with an Uberti or a Pedersoli.

$695 NEW from

Black Powder Rifles - Long Guns

Potentially cheaper on GB

 

[Acer-m14]

just buy one from @Robin and have fun .. support a member

i got CVA inline for 125 few yrs ago .. Christmas sales .. open sights .. all i need ..
90 grains of kitty litter ( pyrodex ) .. 350 gr bullet .. good to go .,.

have fun ..

Edit ... to clean easy and have fun too ... get a hot tub .. lol

 

[ricklovin93]

I have a Traditions Pro pursuit. Nickel plated makes it super easy to keep clean. In my opinion get an inline that is a break open style (like a single shot rifle/shotgun). My father has a savage inline (bolt action) and its not as easy to clean, taking the breech plug out is a pain, the break open traditions takes all of 10 seconds to take the breech plug out.

 

[Bustedknees]

Black powder smells better and taste great..

 

[BDinPutnam]

Thanks all. I am looking at some of the Traditions and the CVA Optima and Wolf models. I would like to go with iron sights if I can.

@Acer-m14 even if he were to sell them, based on what I have seen of his work, something made by @Robin would probably be a couple of mortgage payments!

 

[Bustedknees]

grasshopper you still have so much to learn if Thompson Center isn't tops on your list...
really Wolf ?? you do know that you don't have to buy it at Walmart right..
buying is easy, but there is an art to making them fire everytime.. use them wrong and if your lucky you'll only lose a nice deer,.. screw up too big and you have a hand held bomb..

 

[BDinPutnam]

@Bustedknees, that's why I'm asking. I know I don't even know enough to be dangerous.

 

[CaseHardened]

grasshopper you still have so much to learn if Thompson Center isn't tops on your list...
really Wolf ?? you do know that you don't have to buy it at Walmart right..
buying is easy, but there is an art to making them fire everytime.. use them wrong and if your lucky you'll only lose a nice deer,.. screw up too big and you have a hand held bomb..

That's why I prefer Uberti and Pedersoli. Even Pietta.

They are thoroughly Old School, with modern materials.

If you browse their Price Lists you will see quality does not come cheap.

But have you priced a hand or an eyeball lately ?

 

[Robin]

I can't help you with the modern stuff BD, I have zero experience with any of it.. From what I understand The barrels on Spanish and Italian guns are all proofed, even black powder.
Robin

 

[Bustedknees]

I'd say start simple then.. A side hammer ,, percussion cap ignition, A simple Hawkins style gun ..
three things needed to go bang.. Percussion cap,, the type of will depend on the gun you buy .. ( mine is a simple # 11 magnum cap )
powder,,, Black powder has the lowest ignition point to make flame,, but is very corrosive.. there are a ton of more convenient cubed powder if you like your gun to smell like a gay orange peel, but no matter what you pick,, keep your gun clean before loading and especially before you store it away..
ammo... for your use of hunting and also the easiest and most accurate go with a sabot style bullet,, no lube or patch needed and flat and consistent shooting compared to round balls.. I run 250 grain Shock waves by T/C..
then there is fouling out cleaning oils, setting your charge, marking your ramrod ,and the accessories.. these things take work, but there so much fun to shoot .. a big must for any rookie is to read the manual..

 

[CaseHardened]

I can't help you with the modern stuff BD, I have zero experience with any of it.. From what I understand The barrels on Spanish and Italian guns are all proofed, even black powder.
Robin

ITALY - YES
SPAIN - NO NO NO NO

 

[Robin]

Black powder is not very corrosive, when moisture is added to the residue, it can be. However, I use water only to clean my guns, dry them, run a patch with WD 40 to blow out any remaining moisture and I'm done, takes less than ten minutes. Your modern black powder substitutes contain percolates and are much more corrosive than black powder residue even when it's wet. They actually start rotting your barrel the instant it is fired.
Robin

 

[Robin]

ITALY - YES
SPAIN - NO NO NO NO

I would have to double check but I believe you are wrong.
Robin

 

[BDinPutnam]

That's why I prefer Uberti and Pedersoli. Even Pietta.

They are thoroughly Old School, with modern materials.

If you browse their Price Lists you will see quality does not come cheap.

But have you priced a hand or an eyeball lately ?

I appreciate that in a big way for obvious reasons (plus the earlier post you threw; I am a big fan of Chuck). There has to be an in between though?

 

[phatfarmerbob]

Thompson / Center Pro Hunter FX Muzzleloader, Black Stock - 209844, Black Powder Rifles at Sportsman's Guide

Buy once cry once you’ll love it!!

 

[CaseHardened]

I would have to double check but I believe you are wrong.
Robin

Just my humble opinion.

The very poor quality of Spanish Weaponry in the recent decades worries me.

 

[CaseHardened]

Thompson / Center Pro Hunter FX Muzzleloader, Black Stock - 209844, Black Powder Rifles at Sportsman's Guide

Buy once cry once you’ll love it!!

Thompson has an excellent reputation.

 

[CaseHardened]

I appreciate that in a big way for obvious reasons (plus the earlier post you threw; I am a big fan of Chuck). There has to be an in between though?

If you settle on a few weapons that would please you, just start searching GB for a while.

After a month or two I was able to purchase a Pedersoli Navy Moll that s lists new for $650 for $400.

And is WAY WAY better than any TRADITIONS crap.

 

[CaseHardened]

BTW, if you tell me your TRADITIONS firearm is the best thing since Sliced Bread, I'm not going to say you suck and you are wrong.

I'm going to say that I may be misinformed.

I've only owned a couple of dozen firearms. I do research my purchases to a rather extreme extent beforehand, so I have rarely been disappointed.

I won't give advice that I am not personally confident in.

But I am not God.

 

[Bustedknees]

Black powder is not very corrosive, when moisture is added to the residue, it can be. However, I use water only to clean my guns, dry them, run a patch with WD 40 to blow out any remaining moisture and I'm done, takes less than ten minutes. Your modern black powder substitutes contain percolates and are much more corrosive than black powder residue even when it's wet. They actually start rotting your barrel the instant it is fired.
Robin

mine goes to the kitchen sink as well.. I have no shortage of friends who have treated their black powder guns like smokeless powder weapons .. I laugh at everyone of them when they pull out their black powder rifle with seized up breech plugs, nipples ect.. I love the monkey wrench marks my buddy left all over his rifle trying to save it... no doubt that you learn from mistakes with black powder guns..

 

[togmaster]

I've heard that Ballistol will neutralize the corrosiveness of black powder. Any truth to it?

 

[fnfalguy]

@BDinPutnam This is a TC 45 caliber Hawken. Ive had it for years and like other describe, I didnt do the best job of cleaning it, so the bore needs to have some time spent on it. Ive been playing with basic CLP working to get the rust out and its been working thus far. If I were to use it, i would replace the nipple and take a look at the hammer. The set trigger system works great and it has a peep ladder sight installed. The last few days have been remarkably generous for me on the cosmic level @meketrefe @phatfarmerbob and a random patron at a gun shop who offered me his 12ga reloader , so it seems like an appropriate time to add to the world. It’s yours if you want it.
Regards
Fnfalguy

 

[BDinPutnam]

Wow. Seriously? Heck yes. Thank you! Let me know what I can karma back to you for it, fair value. Does it have to go thru an FFL (I told you I know nothing!)

 

[fnfalguy]

My understanding is that black powder doesn’t need to go through an FFL. I’m sure somewhat more knowledgeable can confirm that. No need to Karma on my behalf. Drop me a PM and if you are free tomorrow, we can try to meet up as I need to head over to Somers and can meet you while I’m on that side of the river.

 

[Robin]

Tog, I use a solution of ballistall, murphy's soap, peroxide, and water to clean up sometimes. I don't see any real difference from using plain water, but 'after' it is cleaned and dried, a patch slathered with pure ballistic will offer pretty good rust protection, I posted a chart on the old forum showing it to beat out many of the commonly accepted rust preventatives . I would not trust it to neutralize existing residue though.
Robin

 

[togmaster]

Tog, I use a solution of ballistall, murphy's soap, peroxide, and water to clean up sometimes. I don't see any real difference from using plain water, but 'after' it is cleaned and dried, a patch slathered with pure ballistic will offer pretty good rust protection, I posted a chart on the old forum showing it to beat out many of the commonly accepted rust preventatives . I would not trust it to neutralize existing residue though.
Robin

What I heard is ballistol is a base and negates the acidity of balck powder. I would take your advice and defer to the expert here.