muzzle loader at FHL

[k_rad]

I will be hunting FHL for Piggys in March for the first time. I have heard that I may not get an area that I can shoot my rifle on, that I may be assigned an area that can only have shotgun or muzzle loaders. I don't want to shoot slugs through my O/U and my wife's father who passed away some time ago left a muzzle loader. I want to be ready in case I can't hunt with my rifle so I want to have a backup weapon. Should I try to get aquainted with the muzzle loader or is it just too much to expect to learn and I should just take out the chokes and shoot slugs through my O/U? How far can I expect to shoot with the ML accurately? How far should I take a shot with the shotgun with a slug? Any advice would be greatly appreciated
:hog chewing:

 

[TonyS]

I would get out to Angeles Shooting Range with some lead bullets (much cheaper than copper) and shoot the muzzleloader. Remember if you are hunting in the condor zone you have to use copper bullets. You may want to bring some of those along to sight in the muzzleloader.

 

[k_rad]

What else do I need? what kind of powder what kind of bullets?etc. I know nothing of ML's

 

[Common Sense]

FHL is "lead-free".

Call local sporting goods stores until you find one that has a clerk that is into black powder. Go buy your bullets and stuff when he is working, and you should be fine.

CowboyCS is our black powder guru. He knows all things black powder. You can e-mail him or get his telephone number from the web page listed on his posts.

Good luck.

 

[myfriendis410]

First off: your over/under can NOT shoot copper sabots so forget that idea.

Second: if your inherited muzzleloader is a "traditional" muzzleloader it in all likelihood can't shoot copper either. If the rate of twist is too slow it won't stabilize a copper sabot. You would be very well advised to get your ducks in a row and figure out what you are going to do. Check in with the inline muzzleloader section on Jesse's. There's a bunch of info there.

 

[k_rad]

it is a Thomson center arms 54 ca. Hawken...probably mid to late eighties...

 

[thisdogwonthunt]

The TC Hawkens are well made accurate firearms. My 50 cal. will consistently put 3 rounds in an inch at 100 yds. with open sights. The TC's were designed to shoot both round balls and conicals so I wouldn't think copper would be out of the question though I haven't tried it through mine yet. Black powder or one of the black powder substitutes will work equally well, but NEVER try using smokeless powder in a blackpowder gun. I'd say 100 yds. is your practical limit with a traditional blackpowder rifle. You could probably stretch that out to 150 with practice. Pick up a book on blackpowder shooting. It will explain basic proceedures and how to work up a load. Consistency is important, especially when seating the projectile. It will take some range time to get comfortable with your blackpowder rifle, but they're a kick in the pants. Good luck.

 

[ltdann]

it is a Thomson center arms 54 ca. Hawken...probably mid to late eighties...

Here's the owners manual, its quite good..one the best I've seen. The T/C website lists their current model as a .50 cal vice .54 cal. That'll change your powder loads somewhat. Some of the graphics indicate that conical sabots can be fired from this one.

http://www.tcarms.com/assets/manuals/current/Hawken_Manual.pdf

 

[myfriendis410]

The T/C Hawken is a fantastic muzzleloader, no question. Unfortunately, your m/l has a rifling rate way too slow to stabilize a saboted copper bullet (1 in 72"). My best guess is it would keyhole at 20 yards. It was never designed to shoot long, sub caliber non lead bullets. In fact, I don't know if Barnes even makes a sabot for a .54 caliber. I will do some research.

 

[JTA6498]

K rad, do you have a bow? If so, i would suggest using a bow over a shotgun/ML at FHL. Especially if you are unfamiliar with the TA'S, not all of the area's have good places you can set up with a blind/Tree stand. The one thing i can tell you about FHL pigs is they move very frequently in the night. So just because people say certain training areas are better than others, that doesnt mean the pigs will be their. Also, their is alot of military activity up their right now. So the pigs are being driven by unusual amounts of people into different areas. In my experience their, choose a training area and stick with it. Dont be scared to park your vehicle and get on foot. Just because people say that certain areas that are rifle areas dont have alot of activity, it doesnt mean that they dont that day. I am also in Woodland Hills, so if you want more info feel free to shoot me a PM.

 

[I'M DK]

I don't know if Barnes even makes a sabot for a .54 caliber. I will do some research.

Got it for you. Two to chose from.
Expander MZ Barnes Bullets

DK

 

[k_rad]

All I can say is thanx thanx and thanx

Great information! I think I may have a solution that may be a little more do-able in the wee bit of time I have. I will definitely start going up to the range and get familiar (if not good) with the ML. I am intrigued by ML's now. The factory says yes it will shoot copper but, the twist is 1 in 48 so it has an accuracy limit of about 100 yds. The solution for me I think is this: H&R Ultra Slug Hunter

it's a 20ga. slug gun for under$300 The only question is: is it legal at FHL? It is a shotgun but the barrel is rifled...

I have to be practial. I am a good shooter (I can ring the bell with my 30-06 at 400 yds consistantly) and I probably could get inside this ML and live there for the next month. And maybe even feel confident enough to hunt with it. Unfortunatly I have a wife and kids that may not be there when I crawled out. I am also not that good with a bow anymore because I haven't practiced consistantly in the last twenty years (another thing I plan on spending more time with this year) I got my son a 9yr old kid's compound bow a few months ago for good school grades and he loves it! I want to encourage his love of shooting so I will be getting a good bow soon also. But back to the OG question. I am not ready to hunt with a bow yet either...
So what do you'all think? What are the odds I will get to use my 7mm rem mag at FHL? Should I get the slug gun as backup? All opinoins welcomed and THX again.

 

[ltdann]

Great information! I think I may have a solution that may be a little more do-able in the wee bit of time I have. I will definitely start going up to the range and get familiar (if not good) with the ML. I am intrigued by ML's now. The factory says yes it will shoot copper but, the twist is 1 in 48 so it has an accuracy limit of about 100 yds. The solution for me I think is this: H&R Ultra Slug Hunter

it's a 20ga. slug gun for under$300 The only question is: is it legal at FHL? It is a shotgun but the barrel is rifled...

So what do you'all think? What are the odds I will get to use my 7mm rem mag at FHL? Should I get the slug gun as backup? All opinoins welcomed and THX again.

Yes its legal, yes it'll work, yes get it, yes to the 7mm.

With FHL, you never really know what will be open and where the animals will be. Bring it all, rifle, bow, shotgun, ML...that way you'll be prepared.

The muzzleloader can't be learned in one day at the range. Its the same as a centerfire, just less effective range, slower to load. Otherwise the same marksmanship practices apply.

As for the HR sluggun, a friend of mine shot a 5x5 elk this last dec, at FHL with the HR @ 135 yds.

 

[k_rad]

Yes its legal, yes it'll work, yes get it, yes to the 7mm.


As for the HR sluggun, a friend of mine shot a 5x5 elk this last dec, at FHL with the HR @ 135 yds.

Sweeeeeeeeet!

 

[ltdann]

Sweeeeeeeeet!

I think I'd go 12 ga, vice 20 though. More variety of shells available, especially in the lead free area.

 

[myfriendis410]

Or, go to the T/C Omega and a Nikon Omega scope; with the Barnes TEZ loading and Blackhorn 209 powder, you can make shots to 200 yards ethically.

If sticking with the shotgun, I second the 12 gauge.

1 in 48" should stabilize a sabot, but I still think the .54 Hawken was supplied with 1 in 72".

 

[k_rad]

I found a sweet old 16 ga. ithaca pump that is a slug gun . Looks like a prison guard who sat in the tower owned it. Problem is like the man said, I can find copper slugs for a 12 and a 20 but not a 16. Too bad because the gun is a steal at $299. I'm on a mission...

 

[k_rad]

How come I can't find anyone to send a savage 220 to california? Are rifled slug guns illegal here?

 

[Live2hunt]

K-Rad, take a look at
O.F. Mossberg & Sons, Inc. - Firearms, Shotguns, Rifles, Accessories, and Precision Machining

Look at the 500 pump-action slugster section towards the bottom of the page.

 

[ltdann]

How come I can't find anyone to send a savage 220 to california? Are rifled slug guns illegal here?

Dunno, perfectly legal. Bought my 11-87 here at the local shop.