Which Muzzleloader

[MLog]

What caliber and brand of muzzleloader would you recommend for elk?? My partner and I normally archery hunt but this year it looks like he will be going with a muzz. Also could you make recommendations about what bullets, powder, etc. work best. Its been a while since I have done any muzzleloading and I know the technology has changed.
thanks

 

[ELKMASTER101]

THINK YOUR TO LATE TO THINK ABOUT IT FOR THIS YEAR.
unless your just lieing to us and you have allready received your permitts, or he has.so in that case your not going just he is.
which in case your not just thinking about it......
Many or all states have a limited season on elk ,
even if your local/resident it requires you to draw into a lotery.
States variey in calaber, 50 cal is recomended in most states.
the gun you prefer is the one you should use,
if you were to look at suggestions for the brand name you will get many a suggestiions.
Did that help?
try the muzzy section.
did that help.

 

[ELKabong]

Wow! THAT was kind of a Richard Head answer!

It looks like Utah still has any bull AND Spike-head muzzy permits available!

MLog, lots of guys here really like the T/C Omega, or if ya want break-open, the Encore. Just can't go wrong with T/C.
I hunted fer years with a T/C Renegade, .54 cal., I bought a Traditions Persuit Pro 'cause I fell in love with the break-open style, 'an I like it's lines better than T/C.
Lots of great choices out there though! Look at as many as ya can so's ya get eggsactly what honks yer horn!
Oh... 'an any .50 cal otter put an elk in the freezer.
Bullet selection these days is better than ever.
Lots of great info in Muzzy section.

 

[grizzly]

T/C Omega in .50 cal. with PowerBelt Bullets and Triple 7 pellets. Easiest cleaning, best shooting muzzleloader out there.

Grizzly

 

[MLog]

I drew a limited entry archery tag in CO. My partner is purchasing a landowner muzzleloader tag for the same unit because he cannot find a landowner archery tag for that unit. For those that don't know CO's archery and muzzleloader seasons run concurrently so we will be able to hunt together. I wont say that I have never told a lie but it is my normal practice to tell the truth.
We will need to make this purchase rather quickly and get going as the muzzleloader season opens around the 10th of September.
Now.....if you have some advice I'm all ears. If you just want to pick at my post and make unfounded accusations then please take it somewhere else.
Mike

 

[fatrooster]

I shoot a CVA Optima. I bought a cheaper muzzleloader last year because I didn't know if I would like muzzleloaders so I didn't want to spend a lot of money on a single shot rifle for one season. But as it turns out I really liked the muzzleloader hunt. Hell, its just fun to shoot at the range. Mine cost about $225.00 but you can spend anywhere from about $175.00 right on up to about $700.00. The TC Omega and Encore are both great choices. Knight and White also are other popular manufacturers. I plan on upgrading one day and will probably get the TC Omega. At this time I use Powerbelt bullets at 295gr and Pyrodex pelleted powder. Check your state regulations because some equipment is not allowed in some states. I hope this helps. And one more thing, Welcome to Monster Muleys. fatrooster.

 

[Gator]

Omega 50 cal. 410 Primers 777 3-50 pellets or 120 loose powder 777 300gr sighted in 6" high at 100 good to 200 yds

 

[nvlonghunter]

MLog

Take a look at the Savage 10ML-II I have been hunting with one for three years now a really like it.They are not cheap around $600.00.

I also have a Knight super disc 45 cal it to is a nice muzzleloader but I just like the Savage better.

 

[JFWRC]

Encore or Omega all the way.

 

[ELKMASTER101]

mlog,
let me refrase my answer,
great to see your going elk hunting,
muzzy is a fun way to pursue your game.
I have used - owned a night, a kuntucky long gun, remington,
and now shoot a winchester,
out of all the guns the winchester is by far the best i have shot.
they say the twist and such that it doesn't do well with the conicals.
but in my case i have found buffalo bullets to be just the ticket for me at 200 yds.
again there is a lot said about cleaning and swabing your gun every shot.
I have put over 3,000 rounds thru my winchester.
and have kept charts on many groups of loads, powder preformance,
so clean verses dirty, well my gun shoots best at the third, forth and fifth shot.
after 8 or so i will break it apart and clean it.
they say keep your power dry. well if you use a good bullet lube you don't have a problem. even a slight coat on the powerbelt help.
good luck on you hunt.

 

[ramslam]

I am glad to see this thread as I am in the market for a new muzzleloader. Here in Washington the muzzleloaders that use 209 primers are not legal. I was told at the local sporting goods shop that the T/C Omega only takes 209's. Is that correct? They had a T/C Black Diamond that would be legal here in WA. Any opinions?

 

[lve2143]

The T/C Encore is expensive, but oh is it
easier to clean than other styles. Plus you
can add other barrels.

 

[MLog]

Since I originally posted I have read the CO regulations for muzzleloaders. The following are the restrictions for muzzleloaders in CO:
Must use a round ball or conical projectile for which the length does not exceed twice the diameter.
Bullets must weigh a minimum of 170 grains for a .50 caliber.
Shotshell primers are legal.
Pelletized powder systems are prohibited.
Only open sights. Fiber optic sights are legal.
Sabots are prohibited.
Smokeless powder is prohibited. Black powder and black powder substitutes are legal.

Sounds like the T/C Omega is a favorite. Any more suggestions for bullet and powder recommendations that will be legal for CO. What would be the effective range for the T/C Omega?
Mike

 

[TimHerald]

You can use Powerbelt bullets in CO. They are not sabots. The T/C guns shoot great at 200 yards, but with open sites that is quite a feat.

If you want the ultimate, look at the T/C Pro Hunter Encore - 1/4 turn to get the breech plug out, 28" fluted barrel, and the swing hammer is awesome - not to mention there is basically no reciol because they have Sims material in the stock and a Sims recoil pad. I have one with 4 barrels and it is incredible.

Good Hunting...Tim Herald
www.grandslamhunts.com

 

[2_Point]

Jump on Guns America and buy the Thompson Black Mountain Magnum a guy has on there for $225, new in the box. It is a side lock, 50 cal. If I didn't already have one I'd buy it. Those guns seem to shoot both conicals and Powerbelts very well. Work up a load. I like about 100 gr of FFF Black behind a 348 AeroTip Powerbelt. I like the smell and smoke of Black Powder, and the performance. You would be pleased with the Black Mtn Magnum, especially for the price to start out.

I wouldn't shoot at elk past 150 yards with any muzzleloader, not even if it says to do it in the Ad. Forget the round ball until you want to get within 50 yards and you have a 54 cal.

 

[ramslam]

Just as an update I bought the T/C Black Diamond Ext. for my Washington Blue Mtn. bull permit. I have put about 35 rounds through it so far and love it. Shoots great. Come on Oct. 1!

 

[paul]

T/C Omega 50 cal, 300 GR. Barnes MZ Sabots, Pyrodex Select Powder, 4'' high at 100 yards and your in there!!

 

[Meander]

Haven't killed anything with it other than paper and dirt, but I purchased a T/C Encore Pro Hunter 209x50 Magnum this year. I broke the barrel in using two Pyrodex pellets and the T/C 240 grain cheapshots. I've got it on paper now and it's doing very well. I'm shooting three Triple 7 pellets and a 250 grain Barnes TMZ bullet. At 100 yards I'm consistantly hitting 3" high and getting 2" groups. I'm using a Thompson 1x scope. I might be able to do better with a higher power scope, but that's not an option if I'm going to hunt with it in Utah. I'll be hunting on the Utah General Elk Muzzleloader hunt with it this year.

A few of my friends shoot the 50 cal. Knight Disk Extream's and they're just as accurate. My T/C Encore is much easier to clean and maintain, and you don't need to worry about the disks.

 

[TheHunt]

>I am glad to see this
>thread as I am in
>the market for a new
>muzzleloader. Here in Washington the
>muzzleloaders that use 209 primers
>are not legal. I
>was told at the local
>sporting goods shop that the
>T/C Omega only takes 209's.
> Is that correct?
>They had a T/C Black
>Diamond that would be legal
>here in WA. Any
>opinions?

My son hunts with a muzzleloader in Washington. The rule for a muzzleloader in Washington is that it must use Black powder, load from the muzzle, use a nipple, must be exposed to the elements.

 

[maddglasser]

Check out the Ultimate Firearms mzl. They shoot 250 grains of pyrodex. My hunter killed abull @ 355 yds last year in NM with 1 shot (yeah, good shot) but nonetheless you have the energy with that kind of power. They recomend a 300+- grain bullet. The Hornady sst seems to work very well with that gun. The gun is expensive though, about 1200 bucks for the midgrade model. That one is built on a REM 700 action and all custom built!!