Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Anyone hunt with a TRADITIONAL muzzleloader and not a INLINE?

ML hunts in Idaho pretty much require a traditional.

no 209's, cap or flintlocks only
no powder pellets, loose black or synthetic powder only
open or peep sights only
primer must be exposed to the air when cocked
round ball or solid lead bullets only - no sabots or jacketed bullets.

Have not for a few seasons but have enjoyed using a few different flintlocks. Various calibers from .45 to .54 using patched round balls. They work fine.

This one took a ~100 lb pig at the campfire Hog Hunt. Custom .54 Hawken, RB twist.



If Idaho requires traditional muzzleloaders, I might have to look into it...

Not yet, but did pick up a used White Mountain TC in 50 cal, that I am waiting to work up a load for. Too dang cold right now.....

50 Cal Lyman Deerstalker rock lock. I've had it for several years but yet to shoot a deer with it. Still working on my proficiency with it. It shoots round balls pretty well but I haven't found a consistent load with maxi balls yet.

Civil war rifle, bored to smoothbore, and 19 ga. Shoot round balls and buck in it at times.

.54 TC Hawken. I bought as a birthday present for myself when I turned 25.

Yep. .45 PRB, Ohio-style Vincent rifle, built myself. Currently building its baby twin: .32 Vincent rifle for squirrels. Killed as many deer with the .45 as with anything else i own.

That's all I used to hunt with .50 TC Hawkins 90gr 2ff Goex and 385gr Hornady GPB. I mostly gun my Omega now but still hunt the Hawkins on occasion

Back in the day




Couple years ago

Up until about 10 years ago, I was using a reproduction Zuave .58 with Buffalo pre-greased mini-balls.

About 3 years ago, I won a Traditions flintlock. It'll get the evil eye from a traditionalist since it's got a synthetic stock with a camo pattern and fiber optic sights but it's legal in both of Pa. muzzleloader seasons and shoots just fine.

It's designed for use with Pyrodex pellets but I use 80 gr of loose RS in the barrel and 4F BP in the pan. Harvester sabots and 240 gr bullets, either cast SWC or Hornady XTP's. Shoots pretty well but I haven't killed anything with it yet. Had a deer in the sights last Friday but I was waiting for it to get a bit closer when another one saw something it didn't like and away they went. Oh well.

Dale

I have an October Country Big Bore Sporter. It is a 69 caliber percussion. I have taken one buck with it. I have also hunted with my custom 54 caliber flintlock. I usually try to get one deer with it each year, but didn't this year. I like the Big Bore but love hunting with my flintlock, and 54 is big enough for anything in South Georgia. Just keep your flint sharp.

Anyone using a 58???

Try the muzzleloader forum and ask specifically about a .58 if that's what you really want to know about.

I use a T/C Hawken and a Renegade, both 54 caliber as well a T/C Seneca 45 cal. All shoot black powder best and all have killed deer by the truckload..

Word of advice to traditional conical shooters: I strongly urge you to try No Excuse bullets....they are born again killers! Very accurate too.

i have a t/c firestorm flintlock. not exactly traditional since it has synthetic stock and f/o sites but its legal for primitive weapons season. i put a tiny squirt of 4F down the barrel followed by 2 50g pyrodex pellets and a CVA 24 grain powerbelt. it goes bang like a centerfire and shoots fist sized groups at 50 yards. it is rated for magnum loads of 150 grains but it kicks like a fuggen mule with 150 so i just do 100. the deer don't notice.

A few years back I had a boss who had an old hammer gun propped up behind the door of his office. I asked about it one day and he said he bought it on a whim and hunted with it for a couple late seasons but it really wasn't his "thing". I bought it from him for $50 with a bag full of accessories and round balls.

Turns out it was a CVA Mountain rifle in 58. The one with the birdseye maple stock and browned barrel. Apparently a pretty desirable old gun. I'm a lefty and hunt and old LH Hawkins in 54 usually, but I bought this one so I was determined to hunt it. I shot one buck with it that year and then sold it to a buddy who HAD to have it for $200. He's hunted with it every year since. In the end I think we both made out.

I let my son use my inline last season and I hunted with my .50 Renegade. Hadn't used it in several years. Shot a doe the first day. She ran off but had a big wide blood trail and found her about 50 yards in. the maxi ball sailed through her. I enjoyed using it. All the time I hunted with it. It always fired when I shot at game, The inlines and substitutes might work the Sabot bullets have left none or lousy blood trails.
I ordered a bunch of round balls and Maxi balls and some more black powder. I'll be using it more.

Pretty rifle right there...built from a kit or custom built by a rifle maker?

Doc

There are certainly quite a few T/C .54 cal round ball shooters in this thread. Wise choice of caliber for a heavier round ball.

Doc