New to Muzzleloading

Here is my 2 pennies. I have been shooting for a long time and have recently got into BP. After lots of research I decided to go with an in-line ML. I bought a T/C Omega. I found it to be the best "Bang for your Buck". I didnt need any fancy stuff, just a good shooting rilfe. In-line describes a modern BP Rifle. Your powder and bullet are loaded through the barrel just like others but the difference is in how the powder is set off. In-Lines (basicly) use a shotgun 209 primer that is inserted in a breech plug that sits behind the powder charge. Then you close the breech, pull the hammer back and let it fly. Traditional ML uses various types of primary ignition devices to set off the powder. But the powder and bullet are loaded the same way, through the barrel. There are a lot of other people on this site that are much more experienced than I am but since I have already gone through all the research, I just thought I would let you know what I learned. I am saving my pennies now for a traditional BP rifle but that is a ways away. As far as the kits go, I have read mixed reviews. Parts missing, holes not lining up and so on. I have also read some very good reviews. Since you like to work with wood, any wood related problems you could probably fix. I have gone totally modern with my ML. I use the BH209 sub for my powder. A T/C 250gr Shockwave Bullet, 209 Federal Shotgun Primer, and a Williams Peep. The only thing I dont have is a scope. Thats because it is not legal to hunt with a scoped ML during ML season in CA. Now that I have the peep, a scope really isnt necessary. I am very confident with my ML out to 150yds. More practice and I should be able to take game out to 200yds, with no problem. Like I said, I have been shooting and hunting for a long time and all the cartriges are already made. My puzzle now is to find the right load and the right bullet. Hope this helps. I am pretty sure that Smokeless Powder is not for ML use. Please correct me if im wrong.

Ive built several from kits and several from scratch.

Check out this website.

www.trackofthewolf.com

Lots of good stuff, kits, parts for scratch builds, you can even mixmatch individual parts to create your own "kit".

For a first build, nothing can beat a Lyman Great Plains Rifle kit. Minimal wood working skills are required, its mostly just sanding and finishing with minimal wood removal. This was my first build and let me tell you their quality is top notch! I got real lucky with mine and got a beautiful piece of walnut with some curl in it! If you already have the tools and some wood working knowledge, you can usually slap one of these together in 20 hours or so. Not to mention, the Great Plains Rifle is one heck of a shooter. Note, it is a slow twist barrel designed for patched round balls. Mines in .54 caliber and it will shoot 1" groups at 100 yards all day long.

Dont listen to these in-line guys. Youll have way more fun with a real muzzleloader. :lol: :wink:

Theres also something about building it yourself too. Makes you appreciate it much more.

Heres the latest one. .50 cal Lehigh flintlock longrifle. Built from scratch.



Gotta love flintlocks!

Powerfisher said:

I have a question. Why do the bullets and sabots come packed in the box seperately?

Click to expand...

I agree with AlleyOoper. In fact it is actually a minimum competence test to make sure that inline shooters can do something more than just pull the trigger.....

Just pulling your leg there...!

Mike, I got into ML here in TEXAS in 1980 purchasing a CVA Mountain Rifle kit used and assembling it. I knew no one in ML, and for at least 2 years learned everything either in a book or on the range.

Retrospectively I learned that a Thompson Center "Hawken" is a higher quality (mainly the lock), though the CVA IMHO was mostly OK, but Spanish made. The Thompson was also a less authentic, but still high quality.

I agree that Track of the Wolf is first rate source. Dixie Gun Works is ok, but often more expensive than should be in my experience. TOW is run by folks who seem to really care. Dixie is now run by decendants of the founder.

I also agree that the Italian made Lyman GPR is perhaps the best over the counter gun you can buy, though I have no particular experience with the kit version. And a GPR will usually shoot with the best guns there are.

I think you will find there is still "some" wood working to do, but the kit guns are 90 or 95% shaped, some more, some less.

If you want a modern inline you will find it generally cheaper to buy than a traditional (among other things that market is 10x the size), but more expensive to shoot. Plastic Sabots cover a multitude of sins of poor tolerances inside the barrel, and still shoot extremely well. That comment comes from "Doc White" who is a purveyor of these types of guns, among other things and can be found at his website.

Let us know what you do!

YHS,
rogerw

btw, BBJ, Great Pic! Love those rocklocks myself!

I really really like the look of this weapon but ifin I am not mistaken are his eyes closed? Is it because of all the "spark" coming out of it?



Mike D