Knight MK85

[retrieverman]

I just picked up 2 stainless MK85’s, an extra stock, and a bunch of accessories. I don’t know anything about this model, but I do know they both are set up for 209 primers. One had an older Burris Fullfield 3-9 scope.

I assume since they’re Knights that they’re decent rifles. Any info on loads and quirks I might encounter would be appreciated.

 

[Smyrnagc]

Here is the factory manual

 

[CRAW]

All mine shoot 250 grain barnes mz real nice with 90-100 v pyrodex powder.

 

[rugerbh103]

I have several of them. They are my favorite rifles. My main hunting gun was shooting 110 grains of T7 FFG with a Harvester PT Gold 300 in a Crushrib Sabot very well. Almost in the same hole at 100 yards.

 

[WV Hunter]

One of the best rifles ever made!
I have had a bunch over the years, still have 3. Personally, I like the #11 ignition. All my .50's have shot 90-100gr powder, and 240-300gr saboted bullet really well. I use pyrodex rs, and RWS caps.

 

[retrieverman]

I shot the rifle without a scope today, and I think I’m really going to enjoy them other than clean up. I shot with 80 grains of Pyrodex and tried a 240 gr 44 cal cast lead bullets with a green crush sabot and 300 grain 45 cal cast lead bullets with a black crush sabot. Both shot really well. I’m probably going to try to kill a deer with this rifle and one of the 300 gr bullets.

I’m going to shoot the scoped rifle tomorrow.

 

[flounder]

One of the best rifles ever made!
I have had a bunch over the years, still have 3. Personally, I like the #11 ignition. All my .50's have shot 90-100gr powder, and 240-300gr saboted bullet really well. I use pyrodex rs, and RWS caps.

I agree they are a great classic rifle that functions best with #11 caps. I prefer real black powder myself.

 

[Ron Huff]

Great guns I actually have a blued with a Burris full field on It. I shoot 75 grains T7 2F wit a 240 grain Hornady XTP with a Green Harvester Crush rib sabot with great accuracy,

 

[FredB]

The MK85 originally came with a slotted breech plug, and required a special tool. If I still used my MK, I'd get it a hex head plug, so I could just use a socket wrench. But, your 209 plugs would have to be aftermarket anyway, so I'm guessing they already have the hex head.

 

[Ron Huff]

I have the 209 and Percussion setups for my MK 85 and actually prefer the 209 ignition as I get less blowback from it.

 

[retrieverman]

The MK85 originally came with a slotted breech plug, and required a special tool. If I still used my MK, I'd get it a hex head plug, so I could just use a socket wrench. But, your 209 plugs would have to be aftermarket anyway, so I'm guessing they already have the hex head.

Yes sir, both of these have the bare primer hex head breech plugs.

I have the 209 and Percussion setups for my MK 85 and actually prefer the 209 ignition as I get less blowback from it.

Yes sir, these rifles came with percussion set ups too. I can’t see any instance where I would ever need anything but the 209 set up.
I’ve still only shot one of the two, but I did shoot that one again yesterday evening. I was going to leave that rifle for open sight hunting, but due to my poor eye sight, I ended up putting a Leupold VX3 1.5-5 with an illuminated reticle on it.
I also shot my old faithful Knight DISC rifle yesterday, but for whatever reason, I’m really digging the MK85.

 

[WV Hunter]

Just an fyi, you mentioned bare primer 209. I have read many times that the bare primer setup is not recommended in the plunger guns. I haven't ever had one.

FWIW, I've used the #11 and Red FPJ 209, I prefer the #11 and in fact got rid of all my 209 parts for these rifles. The #11 ignition just flat works perfectly.

The plunger guns are dirtier for sure due to design, with #11 or 209. But it doesn't really matter to me... I'm cleaning it anyhow.

Good luck, they are great guns I love mine. Might break out the .54 this year to hunt with some

 

[GM54-120]

But, your 209 plugs would have to be aftermarket anyway,

Knight sold 209 plugs for MKs and some may have even shipped in 209 configuration. Pretty sure they even sold a bare primer version at one time that didnt last long. You can still buy the 209 FPJ plug from them.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

There was a Small? Rifle Primer module set up for the MK85 once upon a time. Ive seen the modules for sale occasionally but never seen the breech plug or conversion kit for sale.

 

[GM54-120]

There was a rifle primer orange FPJ thing at one time for DISC rifles.

 

[michiganmuzzy]

These are brass modules

 

[rugerbh103]

I have a bare 209 breechplug Knight made for the MK-85 and Wolverine rifles. Shot it afew times and went back to #11 caps.

 

[Smyrnagc]

I have two of them and both are set up for #11. They are sort of sentimental for me and really keep them around because of what they represent to Knight Rifles.

Here's a great article:

https://www.americanrifleman.org/content/knight-mk-85-popularizing-the-in-line-muzzleloader/

 

[snapbang]

Dont want to hijack the thread but what is the difference between the MK-85 and the LK-93 I bought? Barrel length is all I see.

 

[retrieverman]

Dont want to hijack the thread but what is the difference between the MK-85 and the LK-93 I bought? Barrel length is all I see.

From my reading, the LK has a rounded receiver where the MK has flat sides, and the LK may or may not have a Timney trigger. Not really a lot of difference, and it should be a very solid rifle.