Ep. 211 | Muzzleloading 101
There is something incredibly satisfying about pouring a measured charge down your barrel, pushing a bullet on top of it, priming your muzzleloader, and touching it off. It’s the tying-your-own flies of sending a projectile down range. The intricacies of muzzleloading are part of the fun. It is beautifully simple yet complex. One thing is certain, it’s fun and can extend your hunt season, as well as create fantastic opportunities in the woods you otherwise would not get. Listen in for a good old fashioned rundown on muzzleloading.
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I love it when I see the chairs, especially with Ryan sitting down. That means it's gonna be a long one
Pennsylvania has an After Christmas Flintlock season, Dec 26th - ~Jan 14th. Its nice because I was always off from school and there was usually snow on the ground atleast a couple of days.
add a Pennsylvania rifle to that in 50cal and you'd be in Pennsylvania-ception. Like me
@@henryofskalitz2228 have fun ramming down the ball!!! Many had hammers. Most people used short barreled rifles for this reason… not in Pennsylvania!!!
@@danielcurtis1434 but the Pennsylvania rifle was designed and made in Chambersburg PA and was used in Pennsylvania. I live in PA and hunt with my PA rifle. it doesn't need a hammer and is on of my main hunting guns other than my 45-70 sharps, or my whitworth.
About to get into Muzzle loading and this answered the questions that I had. Always a great show.
Watch the KZhead video on the new "Nitro-Breech MUzzleloader" (Harry M. Pope method) to see the first "self-cleaning" muzzleloader.
Please do one on the advanced (smokeless) muzzleloaders. Absolute game changers.
That!
I believe ep109 is what you're looking for
Smokeless muzzle loader? I'm intrigued.
@@bmstylee They've turned muzzle loaders into regular rifles.. lol look up NitroFire Firesticks.. haha
I'm fixin to buy my first muzzleloader so this video is fantastic for a guy like me. I know next to nothing
Thanks for talking about the best firearms out there. ;)
South Dakota you can still use a 1x scope. Please bring back your fixed 1x scope!!
I would be a definite watcher of an advanced black powder discussion.
The ram rod bounce is old school. I was taught this in the early 90s shooting my dad's percussion cap. I carried that through the woods for years. Really appreciate the nice light new guns
Great interview gentleman!! I just bought my first muzzleloader and this is just the informational video I needed. Thanks. I purchased the Traditions Vortek Strikerfire in 50 Cal.
Always a pleasure gents. Thanks for the content
Man y’all got in the deep weeds away from the beginner level info quick
Somebody once asked me what i thought about in-line muzzleloaders? I said, "I don"t think about them at all". Seriously, if it gets someone to eventually explore the traditional guns then i approve.
I love the pellets and the quick loaders where you keep the bullet in with the pellets…..so easy and So far never an issue. Since im only shooting 100-150 yds tops….I happy with the accuracy that my LHR Redemption gives me.
Can’t wait for the cleaning episode!
Best part of puzzle loading the weather's nicer LOL
Crossbows next, and the optics with them.
In lines came out...bought one, Break Opens came out... bought one. 209 primer craze....went there. Sold em all. Might as well stick with a centerfire rifle. Went back to my Lyman Great Plains Flintlock, and my Hawken Percussion.....50 yds, patched round ball, 4" groups all day long. Now that's Muzzleloading!!
Very good podcast with useful basic details+. Thank you.
That James supposed to be jags to fit my projectiles perfectly
Solid content and useful information.
Dude..I like the Sparkles too! (Next great Vortex tshirt)
I've got to put in a plug for the Powerbelt bullet starter. It comes with three sets of three tips that pretty well covers all the bases not only for their bullets, but for many or most others. Sets of three being one for the short starter, one for the long starter and one for your ram rod in three different designs. One tip for accuracy is not damaging the bullet loading it and the harder it loads the more likely that is to happen. Very reasonably priced for its utility. Among all of the accessories you buy this is one you will use.
Very good point thank you
H&R had the Huntsman in the 1970's I have two from that time bought new. .45cal inline with a upgraded nipple they shot 209 primers, and a expandable ramrod. They were with a twist rate best for patch and ball or shorter bullets. Used them for 20 years. They were way ahead of their time. My father never used a shotgun, only the 45cal Huntsman in Indiana to hunt both seasons. Lots of memories of those Muzzleloaders.
I started with a CV Frontier kit MZ, went to a ( used) Buckhorn, ow have a CVA Wolf w/scope. In my state ( NC) we can hunt two weeks before regular Gun Season. I enjoy being in the deerstand before the deer's patterns are distributed by rifle fire. My CV is more accurate than my others ( scope helps) and cleaning is easier. Great video! Muzzle Loading is my favorite hunting season. Two things I have learned over 30 years ; 1. Check Pawn Shops and Fun Shops after deer season for used MZ's. Some people getbinto these weapons and then realize that they can be dangerous and complicated. My CZ Wolf has barly been used. Paid less than $100.00 for it. 2. Wal Mart carries a nice selction of MZ's an supplies. Prices are better than Gun Stores in my area.
I would love to see a video on flintlocks as well
Please talk advanced muzzaloders. Also, please cover more on pros and cons to different brands/ manufacturers muzzaloders
Great Info. Didnt miss Jimmy. 😉
I enjoyed hunting with a TC omega when I was young. Was much more accurate than the 12 gauges we were regulated to use.
Probably lower recoil as well.
Enjoyed this content very much. Anyone getting into muzzleloading would gain much to watch this! My only comment is perhaps any rifle rated scope may work, but the rings on the muzzleloader better be concentric. Knew an acquaintance who bragged his muzzleloader was a scope crusher. Turns out, his rings were not concentric.
Down in Louisiana where I live muzzle loading season turned into primitive weapons season. We can shoot single shot hammer fired rifles 35 cal and up and I freaking love it. I was never really into muzzle loader hunting so when we got the option to shoot a rifle firing a center fired cartridge for white tail deer that was huge because it opens up about 3 extra weeks of deer season which I never hunted previously. Great podcast guys keepem coming!!!
I'm I'm mississippi. I loved it because no one at camp was in the woods
When do we get a Vortex Cribs Series? Episode #1. Ryan's house.
I lapped polished my inline barrel with some very fine lite blue polish and I also made on my lathe for my packing rod James that fit my projectiles perfectly that keeps my bullets centered . I put my powder pellets in my barrel and then I lightly swab my barrel making sure I stay away from the powder charge at least 3 inches. Then I insert my projectile and push it home and it goes slick as butter with no hanging up. It just pushes really easy to the powder charge and then stops when it reaches the powder charge firmly and not crushing the powder and I have my ram rod maked so I know it's seated correct. My 209 primers I have found out that I was useing made my bullet jump forward before full ignition. And causing in accurate shots of a spread of 5 inches at 100 yards. So I started reprimeing my 209 primers with large pistol primers . Just standard large CCI pistol primers in my 209s my group size went from 5 inches down to 1 and a half inch to 2 inches. I believe I have better accuracy from not having to hot of a primer . I just use spent 209 primers a reprime them with standard large pistol primers . Works great for me. And I use triple 777 powder and have no corrosion at all and I do swab my barrel ever other shot keeping my barrel easy to load with minimal pressure to seat my bullets . Believe me the hot 209 primers will ignite and make your bullet jump forward before you have powder ignition causeing you to have poor groups down range. By using a cooler primer that ignites the powder and then pushes the bullet will give you greater accuracy. They had problems with this on the new 40 caliber CVA inline rifle so they came up with a primer that elemenates bullet jump. And they are shooting targets 600 and 700 yards out . Primers make a world of difference on accuracy!
I'll put in another plug for a .41 rem mag ten minute talk. But I will say, muzzleloaders do interest me. I want to do some flinter stuff. A good channel to check out is black powder tv. The gentleman is just recently getting over some health issues but I'm sure he'll be uploading more soon, but as well as having a pretty good catalog.
Man I loved this installment. I have several different muzzle loaders. From a .54 TC Renagade to CVA-V2. Love them all. I highly recommend the BlackHorn 209 powder with a 209 shotgun primer. With the 209 its nothing to shoot 10-15 shots without cleaning and its none corrosive, and makes for very easy cleanups. I put a 250gn Barnes TMZ bullet through both lungs and out the off side shoulder on a Buffalo that went over a 1000lbs. The thing with the blackhorn powder is you measure your charge by volume. Which means you can choose your load for what your rifle likes the best. Can make bullet holes touch at 100. You will also notice an increase in velosity. Just use speed loaders which they make for this powder as well as breach plugs.
will buckhorn 209 consistently ignite with a musket cap or a number 11 cap?
Ryan. Did you ever figure out that the other end of that rod is drilled and threaded also.. The jag you were trying to take out is loctited in just for the palm saver?
With the lower velocities compared to modern cartridges, are lead bullets better or are the all copper or copper alloy bullets just as good and built specifically for these velocities? Is there a general weight preference for different animals such as deer, elk, moose, bear?
This is the first and only time I've heard someone say muzzle loader specific 209 primers are lower power, everything I've read including the manufacturer says they are magnum type 209s federal and or cci209m is same as muzzleloader labeled primers.
Here in manitoba the muzzleloader season is quite different. Muzzleloader season goes between archery and rifle season, you get to hunt 20 days before rifle starts. There are some areas along the red River and close to the city of winnipeg where its shotgun or muzzleloader only the whole time but for most of the province after a 20 day muzzleloader season there's a 20 day general rifle season where any centerfire over .22 caliber is allowed. Nice thing about early muzzleloader is you can hunt in above freezing temps which is nice Edit: BH 209 for life. Can't ever go back to anything else. Cva sells a different breech plug to aid ignition and I've had best luck using 209 magnum primers. Never had ignition problems down to -20 Celsius
My 1st was a CVA break open that took #209 I use American pioneer ff.. after a few years with that I picked up a Lyman side lock and casting my own bullets and fff. Powder. still my favorite way to hunt.... And best advice was to mark the ram rod. Any one remember an article in fur fish and game years ago titled "Trajectory of your ram rod"?
Got my first mule deer and I wish they had whitetails in Phoenix. You can call in whitetails but you need to glass hours to see a mule deer.
I'm excited for muzzle loader season, it will be my first time hunting deer. I've wanted to get into black powder shooting since a mountain man reenactor came to our elementary school when I was in third grade for an activity/discovery day 25ish years ago. When I decided to get into hunting a few years ago, it just seemed natural. Another ML advantage is that there are certain public lands, around here at least, that specifically restrict *both* lead projectiles and center-fire rifles, but muzzle loaders with lead-free projectiles are one of the allowed weapon types (even during regular rifle season.)
Good luck this season! Keep us posted with how w it goes :)
I just ordered my first modern in-line muzzleloader to get an early start on the deer season in Virginia (muzzleloader is after archery and before regular firearm). This is very helpful. However, I'm wondering about the noise factor if trying to get set before dawn, doing the three flicks of the ramrod thing and listening for the "ting". Wouldn't that artificial sound spook deer? Do successful muzzleloaders load powder and bullet at their vehicle, hike to the blind or stand, THEN prime (insert the primer) as a final step after getting situated? Can you prime by feel alone in the dark?
What about if you coat your barrel with bore butter? Does the powder stick into the lube and does it have an effect on the powder?
CVAs paramount hmr is the best 45 caliber black powder on the market. By far my favorite one to hunt with
Definitely a solid option!
Got a question; just finished watching a video; where shooting a muzzle loader, with a 84 grain charge by weight; they shoot projectiles from 250grs to 500grs with the same powder charge. With a centerfire rifle, that would create a massive overpressure situation. Does blackpower/BP substitutes behave differently? With centerfire, smokeless, with the same powder, a heavy projectile will have a lower powder charge, then a light projectile.
Please talk about advanced bullet options and fast twist barrels, and these 150 & 170gr capable muzzleloaders!
They won’t it’s state of muzzleloaders. Like the 45 cal with full bore bullets and blackhorn powder it’s the original 450 bushmaster.. I really want a 40 cal but those out of my price range right now.
I'm pretty much restricted to the pellets. Favorite now being the T-7 Firestar pellets and I get along with them fine. Seem to get good accuracy out of them and they are somewhat cleaner than good old Pyrodex pellets which I also have and use for the same reason. This Blackhorn 209 seems to be the new best thing but at least where I live it's somewhat of a unicorn. I've seen one ten-ounce bottle of it in two years and it was priced at $50.00. Stupid high. So, I didn't buy it at the time. I've often wished now I would have as it seems so rare to ever see it. I have not figured the cost per shot with it, and it may not be so out of line on price if I'd done that. No idea how bad if at all the fire ring thing is with the Blackhorn, but it is very bad with the pellets. I've found the best way, for me anyway, is to just run a wet patch down to the fire ring and you can definitely feel it when you get to it and concentrate on it. Melts away very quickly, follow up with a dry patch and reload. As long as you keep up with it it's no big deal at all. Much easier to do this than fight getting past it with a bullet. Not saying my way is the right way, but consistency is always the key, and it works for me. I've got four inlines and this works on all of them, so must be something to it. I've got from $250 to $500 guns, and I've found what you do has more to do with the way they shoot than what you gave for the gun. Another good video and good advice. Thank You for making them.
I absolutely understand what Ryan is saying about a consistent measured loose powder charge and Blackhorn has shot great for me as well, but for me when I want convenience I switch to IMR white hot pellets. The Pyrodex or 777 pellets never shot that great for me and seemed quite dirty…where I could only manage a few shots before I had to stop and clean. White hots allow me to shoot for a while before I have to worry about it. I also really like the federal bullets. I do have one question…I currently shoot open sights but if I wanted a BDC scope, would a regular one, say a Crossfire II 3-9 BDC work best or would it make more sense to use something like your newer straight wall scope? BDC also but made for rounds that have more drop or don’t shoot as far usually
You could certainly use either. You would simply run the ballistic information you have through a calculator to find out what your adjustments are you can relate that to the reticle for your holds. It would probably line up cleaner with the Dead-Hold BDC rather than the straight-wall specific BDC.
Would definitely like to know more about advanced by the loader
Using a 100 grain charge, Blackhorn 209 is now over $2 a shot just for powder
Stick with what you know, don't go beyond your capability with knowledge don't push the limits on the manufacturer's recommendations. Gather information and you will have a safe and happy muzzleloading season
I don't know if there's ever get read, usually when you have determined that you have over there pressured your Muzzleloader it is too late !!! most of the time it is hard to tell if you are over pressuring A muzzleloader it does not have tattletale signs
I like Ryan shoot my bow very well but I don't like completing with the bugs while hunting. I prefer to hunt when it is to cold for bugs! I do enjoy Urban Archery season here that is in February and within city limits. I tell people all the time though that I would shoot a bow even if I didn't hunt. It's like throwing darts, enjoyable and relaxing.
What’s your opinion on unloading by dumping the powder out of the breech and pushing the bullet out the muzzle with a ramrod?
From Ryan: "For removing powder via breech, and pushing projectile out of the muzzle - this is the best way to unload without firing on a modern inline, as often, extracting that projectile is not possible otherwise. I've done this many, many times. You end up with a bit of a mess, but nothing that you cannot clean up!"
What muzzleloader do you have on the desk?
I hunt on a private forest preserve that only allows bows, shotguns, handguns, and muzzleloaders. A muzzleloader is more versatile than a slug gun, even when you can find sabot slugs.
I would love to hear Ryan's thoughts on shooting muzzleloaders with a dirty bore. It seems to be a thing everyone likes to talk about about but I have always shot mine with a clean bore and found higher levels of consistency when shooting next to friends who claim "it shoots better dirty." It just seems like all the work i put into keeping everything consistent is undone but having an inconsistently dirty bore. Your educated thought would be awesome!!
You nailed it - it's going to come down to consistency mainly. You know when it's going through a clean bore that it's going to shoot like it did the last time out of clean bore. As you built up debris it will change your projectiles flight slightly.
What is your magical grain weight for bh209 in a muzzleloader
Would a LPVO be a good choice for a muzzle loader. Say a 1-6 or 1-8?
It certainly would! Something with a larger objective though may be beneficial for hunting as you hit last light though.
as far as pushing down to hard on my he bullet, it’s not an issue, the issue has would be not pushing the bullet down enough, if you had a few inches between the powder and bullet, then you definitely can have very high pressure issues!
I have developed a new cartridge for muzzleloading rifles which is loaded from the muzzle but ejects itself from the barrel after use and is non-corrosive. This product sets a new standard in safety and reliability for muzzleloader ammunition in the same way shotgun shells are standardized for use in shotguns. Shotshells have a load of shot and powder which produce a safe pressure in shotguns manufactured by many different companies. The pressure produced by this cartridge can be designed to work safely in the muzzleloaders produced by the various manufacturers. It would also greatly help new muzzleloader shooters with safety, and it would also give them a product which will not destroy the barrel of their muzzleloader due to corrosive residue. Those who say smokeless powder cannot be used in a muzzleloader may not know “Blackhorn 209” is 83% smokeless powder, based on the MSD sheet for the product. Therefore, the claim that smokeless powder cannot be used safely in a muzzleloader falls apart very quickly. This cartridge could also be loaded with BH209 or a similar formulation in states which do not allow "smokeless" powder during muzzleloader season, in the same way the breechloading "Firestick" cartridge is now used in the "Nitrofire" muzzleloader. This would be a "Muzzlestick" cartridge which would work in thousands of other modern muzzleloaders, which cannot use the "Firestick" cartridge. This cartridge can also be removed from inline muzzleloaders by removing the breechplug. I am now looking for a company willing to mass produce this new cartridge for the market. I would greatly appreciate it if you would pass this information along to those you know who may be interested in this new product. A link is found below which demonstrates this new product. KZhead video: “Self-Ejecting Muzzleloader Safety Cartridge: Product Debut (short version)”
209 prime and scopes guns should be only in rifle season Then traditional muzzleloaders open sights side hammers. We have vintage racing snowmobiles and modern snowmobiles we don't race them against each other.
All states should be open sight only for muzzleloader. Having a second rifle season is why harvest numbers are too high. Same could be said for bow season... If I wanted to shoot 80yards with sights and a trigger I would just use a crossbow .. extra seasons are cool but when technology has snuffed out the disadvantages and success rate that made those seasons viable... Something has to change.
I am a senior hand loader and new to ML. Give me more advanced information.
Muzzle loading season in Colorado is early. It begins, most years, two weeks after bow season begins and runs at the same time bow season does so hunters are able to hunt during the rut. I don't agree with hunting during the rut but it's not up to me. You must apply and draw a muzzle loading season license but you are allowed to hunt with muzzle loader during the regular rifle seasons. Elk requires a minimum of 50 caliber.
Curious about using silencers on muzzleloaders?
I use one on my arrowhead smokeless. Silencerco hybrid
@@danhanus2294 was it effective?
@@russellgavin1820 absolutely. Reduces recoil a lot too
It’s my understanding that you don’t have to do all the tax stamp stuff with a muzzleloader too
@@chrismorlock2430 someone makes a blackpowder muzzloader with a built on silencer that isn't subject to NFA. The way others do it is still with a typical silencer and process
What muzzleloader does Ryan have?
From Ryan: "I run a number of muzzleloaders: Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken, CVA Accura-MR, T/C Omega, Arrowhead Rifles Obsidian , I've owned T/C Encores, as well as a few other iterations of the Arrowhead system and several variants of the Omega in .50 and .45. By and large, I find the Accura line to be the best overall for the money in the inline game now"
He isn’t a big bow hunter because he is a cowboy not a Indian. I’m the same way I kinda gave up hunting all together. I always wanted to go hunting simply to be able to look at the rifle when I was a kid. I have gotten my fair share of white tail deer. But I always felt terrible after shooting them don’t get me wrong. I completely understand and agree with hunting I understand why we do it. But for me personally I only participated because I liked to go out sight in the rifle then go out with the rifle. Bows simply didn’t do the same thing as rifle season.
Can you do a muzzleloader cleaning episode?
Oooh that would be a good topic to dive into! We'll look into it. Thanks :)
What’s a bizen!?
American Buffalo.....Also a great book by Steven Rinella. MB
First!
⭐You get a gold star😂
You should have spent more time on muzzleloader safety. Double charging, short starting bullet, barrel obstructions, etc.
What? No KT coffee mug? Shame!
We may need to pick up a few ;)
You will deform the bullet by flicking the ram rod against the bullet. Don't do that.
Not a single flintlock or traditional percussion rifle in sight. I'm disappointed.
Sorry, not sorry! INLINES ARE NOT IN THE SPIRIT OF THE SPORT. Those muzzleloader seasons were created to allow enthusiasts to hunt with their primitive weapons. Those seasons were placed during times of the year that allow for a reasonable degree of success given the capabilities of those primitive weapons. As is often the case sportsmen have used technology to game those seasons to gain an upper hand. Some states have caught on and changed their regulations to keep out inlines and I fully support that. You want to use that 200yd gun during a short range weapon season, OK, but muzzleloader seasons should be limited to primitive weapons that they were intended for. Exposed hammer, open sights, loose powder, flintlock cap or musket cap, full diameter lead projectile ie mini or maxi ball or patch and ball ONLY.
How aren’t they? They still load via the muzzle... just like a muzzleloader season would suggest you use. Most of them still even use a hammer for the strike of the ignition source, similar to an older flint lock or precision cap rifle would... it’s just better designed with a more reliable ignition. That said. I will be buying an in-line to use this year here in Missouri. BUT What I have a problem with is like here in Missouri it is no longer a muzzle loader season but now “alternative methods” season which allows the use of spears and atlatls which is cool but also allows the use of handguns.... which as we all know you can get a bolt action handgun in short action centerfire rifle cartridges and you can slap any optic you want on it and basically have a normal centerfire rifle to hunt with. That in my opinion is not in the spirit of the sport/ season. And if you really want a primitive weapons season I say no firearm should be allowed IMO.
Ehh disagree
No. Inline muzzleloaders are still in the core spirit of the sport. One shot, loaded through the muzzle. All that other stuff is just cosplay that makes it more inaccurate.
#1 Get a job ! 😂😂
Keep your hair on grandad.