runesc
Member
- Joined
- Aug 6, 2022
- Messages
- 8
- Reaction score
- 4
Hey all. I'm a brand-spankin-new muzzle-loader owner from central Texas.
I have some idea where to start, but all this powder substitutes and pellet powder and grain volume equivalents are so confusing to me. I have lurked on this forum for a few days reading up on suggestions and what not, and from what I've come across Blackhorn 209 is "the best" loose powder for muzzle-loaders. Any recommendations for powder or pellets will be a great help.
I have a "Traditions Buckstalker XT Muzzleloading Rifle 50 Caliber 24" barrel" and I would like to know any bullet suggestions. I was looking to get "Hornady Great Plains Bullets - 385 Grain .50 Caliber" because I have heard that the sabots have issue with plastic buildup in the bore. Also, the sabots don't make any sense to me, its a smaller bullet in a larger bore, I just don't understand how they can gain velocity. And with this size of bullet that I am looking at, I don't know if it would require more powder to get going or if that would be dangerous to do. I have also read that only the balls need patches and that the Hornady projectiles are pre lubed and don't need patches, but, again, I do not know how it works. Any suggestions for projectiles and explanations for the sabots would be appreciated.
I also was thinking about what kind of cleaning kit I should get. Right now I'm looking at the "Thompson Center Hunters Choice Muzzleloader Accessory Kit" that comes with a starter, flex loader (which I'm not quite sure what that is), some all natural bore cleaner (which I read is the best for any muzzleloader), cleaning patches, Loading jag, breech brush, and pre-treated seasoning patches (again, not quite sure their purpose besides cleaning). Also, I have no idea how to clean one of these things. I assume you take the breech assembly apart and run your brushes and rods through the whole thing to clean all that fowling off as well as wiping off the opening of the bore and surrounding area.
Also, primers. I read on this forum that Federal 209A and CCI 209M are the best primers to use in modern muzzleloaders because they provide the power and heat to get all pellets and powders ignited without having a hang fire or misfire. I don't know if this is true or if there's a better option. And again, any suggestions are welcome.
I'm asking a lot of questions because I don't want to ruin this rifle I've bought, but I should've done this BEFORE I bought the rifle. Now here I am sitting with a rifle I have NO IDEA how to use.
Thanks
-runesc
I have some idea where to start, but all this powder substitutes and pellet powder and grain volume equivalents are so confusing to me. I have lurked on this forum for a few days reading up on suggestions and what not, and from what I've come across Blackhorn 209 is "the best" loose powder for muzzle-loaders. Any recommendations for powder or pellets will be a great help.
I have a "Traditions Buckstalker XT Muzzleloading Rifle 50 Caliber 24" barrel" and I would like to know any bullet suggestions. I was looking to get "Hornady Great Plains Bullets - 385 Grain .50 Caliber" because I have heard that the sabots have issue with plastic buildup in the bore. Also, the sabots don't make any sense to me, its a smaller bullet in a larger bore, I just don't understand how they can gain velocity. And with this size of bullet that I am looking at, I don't know if it would require more powder to get going or if that would be dangerous to do. I have also read that only the balls need patches and that the Hornady projectiles are pre lubed and don't need patches, but, again, I do not know how it works. Any suggestions for projectiles and explanations for the sabots would be appreciated.
I also was thinking about what kind of cleaning kit I should get. Right now I'm looking at the "Thompson Center Hunters Choice Muzzleloader Accessory Kit" that comes with a starter, flex loader (which I'm not quite sure what that is), some all natural bore cleaner (which I read is the best for any muzzleloader), cleaning patches, Loading jag, breech brush, and pre-treated seasoning patches (again, not quite sure their purpose besides cleaning). Also, I have no idea how to clean one of these things. I assume you take the breech assembly apart and run your brushes and rods through the whole thing to clean all that fowling off as well as wiping off the opening of the bore and surrounding area.
Also, primers. I read on this forum that Federal 209A and CCI 209M are the best primers to use in modern muzzleloaders because they provide the power and heat to get all pellets and powders ignited without having a hang fire or misfire. I don't know if this is true or if there's a better option. And again, any suggestions are welcome.
I'm asking a lot of questions because I don't want to ruin this rifle I've bought, but I should've done this BEFORE I bought the rifle. Now here I am sitting with a rifle I have NO IDEA how to use.
Thanks
-runesc