Today I went to the rifle class for Hunter Ed, and shot an inline muzzle loader for the first time. I have to say I'm not really impressed.

 

I'll go out on a limb and say I'm fairly proficient with my Hawken.

 

Of course that one was beat up and kinda crappy, but to me, it kinda takes the fun out of it, it's easier to use, easier to handle, and has a more "surefire" ignition (from what I hear). It's kind of like at that point - just use a regular rifle.

 

I know I'm off my rocker, but am I wrong about this?

is your hawken a flint lock? if not their basicly the same..

is your hawken a flint lock? if not their basicly the same..

 

Nah, mine is a percussion. I know they act essentially the same way.. Just something about them I don't like.

I just shot a thompson over the weekend which is an inline, and I've never shot a muzzleloader before in my life before taking my hunting safety course, and I thought the thing shot great.

I shoot an Encore ML and love it.

I shoot an Encore ML and love it.

 

So do I for hunting, but the Hawken is a lot more fun to shoot at the range.

last time i wen dix their were 2 guy's shooting a flint lock, they got her to fire twice and then it was a whole bunch of misfires and fliche's from thier..

 

when you learn to operate them they are a bunch of fun.

2 guy's shooting a flint lock, they got her to fire twice and then it was a whole bunch of misfires and fliche's from thier..

 

Now, imagine that scenario with a couple hundred Redcoats running at you with fixed bayonets.

Obligatory pic.

Obligatory pic.

 

That IS a beautiful gun, but idk.. guess it's just my personal opinion.. kinda like putting dubs on a model T.

2 guy's shooting a flint lock, they got her to fire twice and then it was a whole bunch of misfires and fliche's from thier..

 

Now, imagine that scenario with a couple hundred Redcoats running at you with fixed bayonets.

 

That is why bayonnetes were invented. cant shoote'm stabe'm..

My .02. If a flint gun is properly maintained you will get ignition 100 percent of the time.

 

Also. If you going to hunt muzzleloading use a flint. There is something to be said taking deer or turkey in a puff of smoke. Inlines to me should not be allowed in ml season just like cross bows should have been left off the list.

 

Saturday will be the first trial. I'm using my hawken percussion. A Flint is on the want list.. but I need to take care of a few things first.

Good luck with the Hawken! What kind of bullets and powder are you planning on using?

Good luck with the Hawken! What kind of bullets and powder are you planning on using?

 

 

90 grains fffg goex, hornaday .490 roundball, .010 patch

I've been shooting 350 gr T/C MaxiHunters and using American Pioneer FFFG powder. Do you put a piece of tape across the muzzle in order to seal out moisture on rainy hunts?

I've been shooting 350 gr T/C MaxiHunters and using American Pioneer FFFG powder. Do you put a piece of tape across the muzzle in order to seal out moisture on rainy hunts?

 

Yesterday was my first day ever hunting.. I just tried to keep the muzzle pointed down whenever possible. A few times throughout the day I re-tapped the load down just in case it moved.

 

I didn't fire my gun yesterday (just took the cap off).. I stopped by the range today to get the load out. Re-tapped the load, put a new cap on.. and bang.. went off first try.. so I would say unless your barrel has water in it.. it should be ok.. but take my advice with a grain of salt because I'm a N00b