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Gasmoke

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Hi all,

New member and need advice. What is the best BDC scope I can get for under 350$ for a TC Pro Hunter FX .50 cal. I won this gun recently and frankly it will be the muzzelader I will have. I've always wanted one and for free, I think it will suite me just fine out to 200 yards. I was looking at the vx-freedom muzzleloader 3-9x40 and the Nikon Inline XR 3-9x40 BDC.

Also does anyone know if the TC Pro Hunter FX can take 150 grains of charge. I would most likely be using a pellet charge like white-hot and a Power belt bullet.

I need info on the scope initially and then also suggestions on load and bullets with this set up. I'd like to be good for 200 yards and will be hunting whitetail. This certainly is not my first rifle, but it will be my first muzzleloader.

What do yall suggest? Thanks
 
Nikon is no longer making scopes so good luck with a warranty issue if that comes up.

Leupold would be a good choice but what else is available in that price range? Looks to me like thats a $300 scope and there are better scopes in that price range.

3 pellets and a Powerbelt is a REALLY bad way to go if you think you will need a BDC. First off thats a massive charge for most PBs and second most of them have a horrible BC. Its counter productive to the application and probably not going to be anywhere close to the BDC marks in the scope. For about $375 you can get a MeoPro which is a far nicer scope. Made at the same plant in the USA that made the 3x9 Zeiss Conquest. Its basically the same scope as the old Conquest.
https://www.sportoptics.com/meopta-meopro-598890.aspx
You can get a VX-3i with no BDC for even less with better glass than a Freedom series too.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362269748?pid=269748
You can also get a Veracity 2x10x42 for around $350 on sale. SUPER nice scope at that price point. Not a traditional BDC but...........
https://www.natchezss.com/burris-ve...0mm-ballistic-e2-reticle-rfp-black-matte.html
 
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Nikon is no longer making scopes so good luck with a warranty issue if that comes up.

Leupold would be a good choice but what else is available in that price range? Looks to me like thats a $300 scope and there are better scopes in that price range.

3 pellets and a Powerbelt is a REALLY bad way to go if you think you will need a BDC. First off thats a massive charge for most PBs and second most of them have a horrible BC. Its counter productive to the application and probably not going to be anywhere close to the BDC marks in the scope. For about $375 you can get a MeoPro which is a far nicer scope. Made at the same plant in the USA that made the 3x9 Zeiss Conquest.
https://www.sportoptics.com/meopta-meopro-598890.aspx
You can get a VX-3i with no BDC for even less with better glass than a Freedom series too.
https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1362269748?pid=269748

Thank you for the glass advice. As you can tell I do not know enough about the muzzleoading world. So if you had just won a TC ProHunter FX .50 what would your set up be? Glass, Powder/ Pellet, bullet, primer, etc? I just want to use it on deer at the moment. Most shots will be 50-150 yards. I could stretch it in areas on the farm in GA, but realstically shots are always closer and could be 30 yards. What charge do you suggest etc.. I appreciate the help.

Realistically, what kind of drop would I be looking at? Do they shoot relatively flat when it comes to 100-150 yards?
 
At $350 i would get a Veracity, a set of Contessa light weight rings (im using these myself) and i would check to see if the Lehigh bases are available for the Pro Hunter FX. The VX-3i would also be a really nice scope for the application and just sight in at 150y. To hell with the BDC all together. Sighted in at 150 you will be point and shoot to 175y with upper(ish) end loads.

The Contessa Light weights appear to be back ordered in 30mm low. You will want low rings if using a taller rail base. You want medium rings for shorter bases like Warnes.

Lehigh bases are a good value and true picatinny. So picatinny rings like the Contessa fit properly.
https://sskfirearms.lehighdefense.c...atform,encore®/f11-firearms-components,optics
DNZ Game Reaper mount if you dont mind a 1 piece. They are very well made and will save you a fair amount on rings/bases. Its about $85 list price but can be found much cheaper.
https://www.dnzproducts.com/product/game-reaper-thompson-4/
 
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Powder/ Pellet, bullet, primer, etc?

I would just forget Powerbelts and pellets. The FX is Blackhorn209 ready. Cost per shot will be less than pellets. Clean up will be easier and less corrosive too. Buy a 50pack of Harvester Black Crushrib sabots. You will have tons of .451-.452 bullets to choose from. You will want to use regular or mag shotshell primers. NOT ML 209 PRIMERS. IIRC the FX uses the latest version of T/Cs speed breach plug. Should work great with BH209 powder.
 
I would just forget Powerbelts and pellets. The FX is Blackhorn209 ready. Cost per shot will be less than pellets. Clean up will be easier and less corrosive too. Buy a 50pack of Harvester Black Crushrib sabots. You will have tons of .451-.452 bullets to choose from. You will want to use regular or mag shotshell primers. NOT ML 209 PRIMERS. IIRC the FX uses the latest version of T/Cs speed breach plug. Should work great with BH209 powder.
Thank you for all the advice
 
The Crushrib sabots should be the first sabot to try in a T/C which often have tight bores. The red sabots that come with SSTs will be a little easier still. Those sabots are made by MMP and called 3P-EZ if you want to order some without bullet. They will be black instead of red but its the same sabot.

Bulk pistol bullets atm are a PITA to find so you might need to look at more expensive options like Fury Custom bullets, Barnes or Lehigh control fracture.
 
At $350 i would get a Veracity, a set of Contessa light weight rings (im using these myself) and i would check to see if the Lehigh bases are available for the Pro Hunter FX. The VX-3i would also be a really nice scope for the application and just sight in at 150y. To hell with the BDC all together. Sighted in at 150 you will be point and shoot to 175y with upper(ish) end loads.

The Contessa Light weights appear to be back ordered in 30mm low. You will want low rings if using a taller rail base. You want medium rings for shorter bases like Warnes.

Lehigh bases are a good value and true picatinny. So picatinny rings like the Contessa fit properly.
https://sskfirearms.lehighdefense.c...atform,encore®/f11-firearms-components,optics
DNZ Game Reaper mount if you dont mind a 1 piece. They are very well made and will save you a fair amount on rings/bases. Its about $85 list price but can be found much cheaper.
https://www.dnzproducts.com/product/game-reaper-thompson-4/
I did find this VX-3i. I have purchased demo scopes before and they have never let me down. Do you think 4.5x14x50 if overkill? I like 50 mil for lights and I always like an up and close image. What are your thoughts?

https://www.scopelist.com/Leupold-VX-3i-45-14x50mm-Duplex-Like-New-Demo-Riflescope-170704.aspx
 
Congrats on winning your FX, it should be a good rifle. For hunting, I would try 110 grains by volume of BlackHorn 209, a Barnes 250 grain TEZ in the supplied blue sabot or a Harvester smooth black sabot, and a Federal 209A or CCI209M primer. My family and I have been using that load combo for a number of years with excellent results. With a 100 yard zero, drop would be around a foot at 200 yards.
 
Personally i have difficulty getting on closer targets fast with anything higher than 3x for the low. I adore my 2x10s for fast target acquisition. I can live with a 3x9 or 3x10-12.

I would have to look through a 3i 50mm and the MeoPro 40mm side by side but i bet the MeoPro is right up there in light gathering. Their glass and coating is quite good but so is the 3i.
 
Its not often you see that one cheaper. Best ive seen is $299.99 on that model. Sportmans Warehouse sells them RARELY for $300.
 
Congrats on winning your FX, it should be a good rifle. For hunting, I would try 110 grains by volume of BlackHorn 209, a Barnes 250 grain TEZ in the supplied blue sabot or a Harvester smooth black sabot, and a Federal 209A or CCI209M primer. My family and I have been using that load combo for a number of years with excellent results. With a 100 yard zero, drop would be around a foot at 200 yards.

Follow these two recommendations and you will be good to go! And congrats on the new ML and welcome to the wonderful world of muzzleloading. Your going to end up finding yourself hunting with it even in the rifle season!
 
I think BDH's load suggestion sounds solid too. That should easily get to 150y or more and its a good bullet that is somewhat easy to find with a sabot that should fit ok. Its just not very cheap to shoot it. Not horrible either.

Midsouth has them for about a $1 a pop. Grab a pack of other sabots at the same time maybe. Their sabot pricing is good too.
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....llet-spit-fire-flat-base-with-sabots-24-count
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/muzzleloaders/projectiles/sabots-only
 
I think BDH's load suggestion sounds solid too. That should easily get to 150y or more and its a good bullet that is somewhat easy to find with a sabot that should fit ok. Its just not very cheap to shoot it. Not horrible either.

Midsouth has them for about a $1 a pop. Grab a pack of other sabots at the same time maybe. Their sabot pricing is good too.
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply....llet-spit-fire-flat-base-with-sabots-24-count
https://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/dept/muzzleloaders/projectiles/sabots-only
GM54... I think I am going with the Leupold VX-3i 3.5-10x50mm.. forgive my ignorance but which mount and rail set up do you suggest for that on an FX?

I've always enjoyed the 50mm for extra light gathering. I know its not much of a difference but its the little things.
 
Hi all,

New member and need advice. What is the best BDC scope I can get for under 350$ for a TC Pro Hunter FX .50 cal. I won this gun recently and frankly it will be the muzzelader I will have. I've always wanted one and for free, I think it will suite me just fine out to 200 yards. I was looking at the vx-freedom muzzleloader 3-9x40 and the Nikon Inline XR 3-9x40 BDC.

Also does anyone know if the TC Pro Hunter FX can take 150 grains of charge. I would most likely be using a pellet charge like white-hot and a Power belt bullet.

I need info on the scope initially and then also suggestions on load and bullets with this set up. I'd like to be good for 200 yards and will be hunting whitetail. This certainly is not my first rifle, but it will be my first muzzleloader.

What do yall suggest? Thanks
I just got a vortex copperhead 4 x 12 for like $120 awesome scope
 
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