Howdy all. After having poured over these forums for almost 2 year now, learning most of what I have about muzzleloading from this site, I decided I may as well join up. Thank you all for the wealth of accumulated knowledge that is on offer from the members of this site!
My name is Andrew and I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada. We've only had a separate muzzleloading deer season for the last 2 years in this province. It seems to be increasingly popular as more folks here recognize the additional opportunity provided, as well as the plain enjoyment of muzzleloading in general. I know in the one year I've ben involved I'm hooked, and so is my son. We enjoy taking it to the range as much as carrying it hunting.
After a lot of research, and in respect of my budget, I ended up with the following setup cobbled together from local suppliers and online orders from both Canada and the USA. As the only thing scarcer than ammo around these parts seems to be muzzleloading supplies. Same with many of you too I believe.
-CVA Optima V2 .50cal black synthetic & stainless;
-Bushnell Trophy XLT DOA 250 ML scope;
-Durasight Dead On 1pc Med base;
-Claw rifle sling.
I'm still getting used to the rifle, and ML'ing in general, but I am very happy with the rifle and the accuracy I've been able to obtain at 100yds from quickly getting set up to hunt my 1st ML season last fall. I'm impressed with how accurate these guns are, and am looking forward to working up a few different loads to see what it (I) is (am) capable of. The load we settled on for hunting last season was a 300gr Hornady XTP .44cal bullet with the matched green Hornady sabot over 95gr (V) of BH209. That was producing 1.5" groups at 100yds, so I called it good enough for now.
I've got both BH209 and Triple Seven loose powder as propellants, and CCI 209M, Win 209A, and Rem Kleenbore 209 primers. For bullets I've picked up the Hornady XTP's in 300gr/.44 and 250gr/.45, 300gr Harvester PT Gold 300gr/.45, and 300gr/.45 Hornady Hi Speed-Low Drag. Plus Hornady .44 & .45cal sabots, and Harvester Crush Rib and Smooth sabots in both .44 & .45cal. If nothing else I've got a bit of fun and education ahead of me at the range. But I must say ML'ing has renewed my interest in shooting as I really enjoy the whole ritual of it all. Every load is basically a hand load, and despite the great advancements in modern ML design and components it is still stuffing them one at a time from the front, and adds to both the challenge and enjoyment IMO.
Anyway, thanks again for all the help many of you have provided, even though you didn't it. But I expect there are many on here now, and many more still that haven't registered that have benefitted the same! Great site, great info, and very classy from what I've seen to date despite membership from far and wide with opinions that sometimes match. LoL
Andrew aka ALW
My name is Andrew and I'm from Nova Scotia, Canada. We've only had a separate muzzleloading deer season for the last 2 years in this province. It seems to be increasingly popular as more folks here recognize the additional opportunity provided, as well as the plain enjoyment of muzzleloading in general. I know in the one year I've ben involved I'm hooked, and so is my son. We enjoy taking it to the range as much as carrying it hunting.
After a lot of research, and in respect of my budget, I ended up with the following setup cobbled together from local suppliers and online orders from both Canada and the USA. As the only thing scarcer than ammo around these parts seems to be muzzleloading supplies. Same with many of you too I believe.
-CVA Optima V2 .50cal black synthetic & stainless;
-Bushnell Trophy XLT DOA 250 ML scope;
-Durasight Dead On 1pc Med base;
-Claw rifle sling.
I'm still getting used to the rifle, and ML'ing in general, but I am very happy with the rifle and the accuracy I've been able to obtain at 100yds from quickly getting set up to hunt my 1st ML season last fall. I'm impressed with how accurate these guns are, and am looking forward to working up a few different loads to see what it (I) is (am) capable of. The load we settled on for hunting last season was a 300gr Hornady XTP .44cal bullet with the matched green Hornady sabot over 95gr (V) of BH209. That was producing 1.5" groups at 100yds, so I called it good enough for now.
I've got both BH209 and Triple Seven loose powder as propellants, and CCI 209M, Win 209A, and Rem Kleenbore 209 primers. For bullets I've picked up the Hornady XTP's in 300gr/.44 and 250gr/.45, 300gr Harvester PT Gold 300gr/.45, and 300gr/.45 Hornady Hi Speed-Low Drag. Plus Hornady .44 & .45cal sabots, and Harvester Crush Rib and Smooth sabots in both .44 & .45cal. If nothing else I've got a bit of fun and education ahead of me at the range. But I must say ML'ing has renewed my interest in shooting as I really enjoy the whole ritual of it all. Every load is basically a hand load, and despite the great advancements in modern ML design and components it is still stuffing them one at a time from the front, and adds to both the challenge and enjoyment IMO.
Anyway, thanks again for all the help many of you have provided, even though you didn't it. But I expect there are many on here now, and many more still that haven't registered that have benefitted the same! Great site, great info, and very classy from what I've seen to date despite membership from far and wide with opinions that sometimes match. LoL
Andrew aka ALW