Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Muzzleloaders Tips for a noob?

I confess to not knowing much about muzzleloaders. I bought a T/C Northwest Explorer so I can hunt late season muzzleloader season. I've shot a few traditional ones, and a Knight Disc previously but that doesn't mean much. We have to use percussion caps & loose powder. I have powerbelt bullets, loose 777, and caps. I have a starter, and the rifle has it's rod I'm wondering about cleaning, do I need to lube the bullets? what with if I do? Do you bring cleaning patches in the field? What ever else I should be asking?

A couple of things to consider.
1. Wooden rods can and do break. They look nice, but that's no help in the field! If you have a wood rod I'd recommnend upgrading to a delrin (spelling?) rod. Strong, flexible. Not sure what the t/c comes with.

2. The T/C manual on page 34 has a pretty good instruction on field cleaing. You could go with that with no problem, although they specifically mention black and Pyrodex and not 777. For 777, I just use pre-lubed "Wonder Lube" patches as follows in the filed about every other shot or three you must address the crud ring 777 can leave: Brush a few strokes and twist at the bottomm of barrel, WL cleaning patch, WL cleaning patch, and then a regular dry patch. Good to go. There are a gazillion ways but mine works, too. Clean it good at home.

3. I don't beileve you need to lube powerbelt bullets, but I've never shot them. I shoot round balls out of my Hawken and sabot/pistol bullets out of my in-line.

4. Don't forget a spare nipple and tools to replace it. Nipple pick, etc.

No need to lube Powerbelts. However,don't try to drive them to fast velocity wise. If yours is a 50 cal, a 295 gr Powerbelt and 90 grs of powder is quite sufficient. They are still only pure lead ,but with a copper flashing.

One thing to remember with Pyrodex or 777, it does degrade over time.Unless you are in an extremley dry climate, . I went back to black powder after using either of them awhile. It does not look like your rifle can be used withBH209,a black powder substitute that does not
degrade.

No matter the powder,I always carry a few wet and dry patches with me while hunting. After firing, I always run a wet patch and then a few dry patches before reloading. Contrary to what others may say, ease of loading after firing may not happen.

I also always clean my rifle if it was fired that day using black powder, 777 or Pyrodex .

TC has some kits that include a bullet jag for pulling bullets, spud, mop and patch jag in case a patch gets hung up down in the bore.Good thing to carry while hunting.Also some speed loaders are convenient

One question #10 &#11 caps look to be the same size, what's the difference? My rod is aluminum but no jags or brush. I was using cleaning stuff for my shotguns.

Your shotgun clean kit is fine. A brush is a brush as long as it fits ok. If I recall, a 20 gauge swab is a fairly good fit for my .54 Hawken but not sure about a 50 cal.

I've often wondered the same about the caps. Pick one size and brand and stick with it.

size ten caps are smaller than size eleven. The nipple on most rifles take a #11. #10 caps are usually needed for revolvers but my Navy arms 12 gauge double takes #10. You can bend the skirt on a size 11 cap and it will work on a size 10 nipple but not the other way around.

That T/C NW edition is a 1-48 twist. You could have done better with a different NW edition rifle using a 1-28 twist if you want to shoot conicals. A 1-48 will limit your selection a great deal and the damn thing still has the messed up T/C QLA. When you get tired of fighting with it go grab a Optima V2 NW edition. You can also convert it back to 209s for hunting normal seasons too.
https://www.muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/cva-optimatm-v2-northwest-legal.html

I looked at these I think, but the web page doesn't give twist rate. I do like the tool-less breech plug though.

Just took a gander at the Northwest Explorer. To me, it looks like an Omega Z5. Yes, with a 1:48 twist you are limited to specific bullet types. Patched Round Balls, Maxiballs, etc. I have some PRBs and maxiballs that you are welcome to.PM me your address and I will ship them out.