Smoke & Fire
This is the first installment of a series that will help you better understand and enjoy in-line muzzleloader shooting and hunting.
Hunting with muzzleloading rifles is one of the fastest growing shooting sports in North America. Today, nearly every state has a special blackpowder or muzzleloader season for one or more of their big-game species. Muzzleloader seasons generally occur at the optimum time to hunt big-game animals-during the elk-bugling rut seasons in the western states, the early fall for mule deer, and both early and late fall for whitetail's in the Midwest, South, and East.
Even though hunting with a muzzleloader is gaining in popularity, the woods are still not as crowded as during the regular rifle season. If that isn't reason enough to hunt with a muzzleloader, then consider just how much fun it is to take an animal with blackpowder firearms. And now it's possible, thanks to in-line muzzleloaders, to blend the tradition of hunting with a firearm loaded with modern technology.
For some, hunting with blackpowder guns is like taking a step back in time-back to the days when rifles served as sporting arms as well as tools with which to protect family, property, and oneself. Hunters with more modern attitudes might simply enjoy the smell of the acrid blackpowder (or Pyrodex) or the opportunity to spend more time in the field. Quite frankly, it makes little difference why people choose to hunt with blackpowder rifles what's important is that they do, and that they enjoy the experience.
There once was a time when I enjoyed dressing up in buckskins and taking either a flintlock or percussion reproduction of "old Betsy" into the field. But that was better than 20 years ago. Those excursions taught me that the mountain men were extremely tough and tenacious. But traditional blackpowder rifles were not always dependable. Hangfires and misfires were not all that uncommon.
That is not even a consideration with today's in-line muzzleloaders they are some of the most reliable and dependable firearms made. I once wondered what kind of blackpowder guns Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett might have used, and I am convinced that if they had had the choice between a "sometimes-it-works, sometimes-it-doesn't" flintlock and a modern in-line muzzleloading rifle, they would have opted for the latter complete with a telescopic sight.
I own several sidelock percussion rifles with beautiful wood and silver and brass fixtures. One is an original from the 1800s; the others are reproductions. But they are all displayed next to the fireplace in my home, and that is likely where they will remain. Whenever I get the urge to return to the age of the mountain men, I think of how they must have wondered whether or not they were going to "make smoke" when they squeezed the trigger on their old Hawken. My modern in-line muzzleloaders may not be as pretty to some, but one thing is for sure, they are a lot more reliable and accurate. And when it comes to muzzleloading, nothing is more important than those two elements.
If you have been thinking about buying a muzzleloader and getting into blackpowder hunting, the time has never been better. Regardless of whether you are wanting a traditional-looking gun or one with an in-line ignition system (which tends to look like modern-day bolt-action rifles), your choices are wider than ever. There are muzzleloaders available with virtually any feature you might desire, and the wide range of retail prices means there is one to fit your budget. Even Remington, which got its start in the firearms industry by making muzzleloaders 180 years ago but is more famous for its metallic cartridge rifles, has once again gotten into the act with the new Model 700 ML in-line that looks like the Model 700 bolt action.
In getting started in shooting and hunting with muzzleloaders, there are a few terms which need to be explained. One is "in-line ignition system." An in-line ignition system utilizes a plunger-style hammer which causes the fire from a percussion cap to enter the breech end of the barrel directly through the center of the breech plug, igniting the powder for a positive sure-fire ignition.
The in-line's hammer strikes the
percussion cap, igniting the powder through the breech end of the barrel.
Some consider the in-line system a modern invention, but such systems have been around for well over 100 years. It is the most reliable of all blackpowder ignition systems.
In the past muzzleloading rifles were equipped with barrels designed for patched round ball projectiles. Essentially, this meant they were using slow-twist rifling. Such barrels had rifling which spins a projectile one turn in 60 to 72 inches. These slower twists offer less resistance to patched balls and provide the best accuracy with that particular projectile.
Many of the modern muzzleloaders especially those employing in-line ignition systems, use a fast-twist barrel. Such rifling spins a bullet one turn in 20 to 32 inches and better stabilizes longer conical bullets. Fast-twist barrels are used on most rifles utilizing in-line ignition systems, allowing the use of longer conical bullets, modern hollowpoint bullets, and specialized muzzleloading bullets housed in sabots, all of which tend to provide better performance on big-game animals. These type of barrels produce extremely fine accuracy at ranges previously thought impossible for muzzleloaders-out to 125 yards and beyond.
A powder flask is one of the
accessories needed for muzzleloading. (left)
Powder measures are used to pour the
desired charge of propellant into the barrel.(right)
Several types of projectiles can be
used, including cast bullets with plastic sabots.(left)
Muzzleloader hunters should use a
bullet starter to align the bullet properly.(right)
After properly aligning the bullet,
the bullet starter is used to push the projectile farther down the barrel.(left)
Once the bullet has been started, it
must be seated atop the powder with the ramrod.(right)
When choosing a muzzleloading rifle, check local regulations where you intend to hunt to determine if in-line systems are legal and if there are any restrictions as to the caliber and type of bullets you can use. If you hunt where only round balls are legal purchase a rifle with a barrel/twist rate designed for such a bullet.
Legalities decided, look for a rifle that pleases you. Many of the in-lines are available in stainless or blued steel with wood, synthetic, and laminated stocks (in plain or camouflage patterns). You can even select between conventional-style and thumbhole stocks.
Keep in mind that some states allow the use of scopes and others allow only iron or peep sights. Many of the modern muzzleloaders are drilled and tapped for scope mounting.
Muzzleloading can require numerous accessories; it depends on the type of rifle you purchase. Some items are blackpowder or Pyrodex, bullets, powder flask, powder measure, a capping and decapping tool, bullet starter, appropriate tools to disassemble and thoroughly clean the barrel and action, cleaning jags, patches, a blackpowder solvent, lubricant, and some speedloaders which hold a pre-measured amount of powder and a bullet. For a day in the field hunting, all you'll need is several charged speedloaders and a supply of percussion caps. The cleaning can be done when you return to camp or home. And please take note: You must clean your muzzleloaders!
Pyrodex is an excellent propellant
as it doesn't foul the barrel as quickly as blackpowder.
It's my opinion that if there is a downside to muzzleloading, it is that all muzzleloaders require extensive cleaning. When you purchase a muzzleloading rifle, the manufacturer will likely include instructions as to how to season your barrel with lube. There will also be suggestions on how to thoroughly clean your gun, and how often to do it. Follow those instructions! If you don't want to take the time to thoroughly clean a muzzleloader, it's best you not buy one.
Regardless of the propellant used,
barrels must be cleaned.
Muzzleloading rifle manufacturers are making it considerably easier to shoot their guns by providing practically all you will need in one package. Knight Rifles is a perfect example with its LK-93 Wolverine Value Pack which contains everything you'll need except powder and caps. Thompson/Center does essentially the same with its Thunderhawk Shadow Value Pack. Some of these packs even include a video about loading, cleaning, and taking care of a muzzleloader.
Most major muzzleloader
manufacturers offer kits designed to make cleaning easier.
The most popular hunting caliber for deer and similar-sized animals is the .50, using either .50-caliber bullets designed for hunting or .45-caliber handgun bullets in sabots. Both will do an excellent job on game. Other hunters prefer the .54- or .58-caliber big-bore guns. My preference for all-around hunting is the .50 caliber, and I have taken numerous whitetail's and a couple of mule deer as well as a wide variety of smaller game (from rabbits and javelina to wild boar) with .50-caliber in-lines.
Hunting small game with muzzleloaders is also becoming popular. Although I have not yet had an opportunity to try one, Thompson/Center recently introduced a .32 caliber in its excellent in-line Fire Hawk model; it should be perfect medicine for squirrels, rabbits, and wild turkeys (where legal). Connecticut Valley Arms (CVA) also recently added a .32 caliber, called the Varmint Rifle, to its lineup. I'll be covering small-and big-game hunting with muzzleloaders in more detail in a future installment of this series.
Round balls, conicals, saboted modern pistol bullets, and new all-copper bullets designed for in-line muzzleloaders provide variety for the muzzleloading hunter. They range in weight from 158 to 535 grains, depending on caliber.
Most muzzleloading rifle manufacturers suggest a particular bullet type for their individual model rifles. White Shooting Systems, for example, suggests shooting bullets which were designed specifically for its rifles. But I'm getting ahead of myself here. I'll discuss the types and their applications in next month's installment.
The introduction of Hodgdon's Pyrodex in 1976 changed the face of muzzleloading. Traditional blackpowder is classified as a Class A explosive. Pyrodex is designated a flammable solid. Actually, it is a smokeless powder formulated to produce lower pressure than blackpowder. Since it is not a Class A explosive, Pyrodex can be stocked by gun shops and sporting goods dealers without the red tape and high insurance costs of stocking blackpowder; hence, it is easily obtainable. A second advantage of Pyrodex is that it does not foul the barrel as heavily as blackpowder. With Pyrodex, cleaning a barrel is still extremely important, but it is more forgiving and allows you to shoot more times in succession in a day before having to break down the entire gun for cleaning.
With any firearm the first shot is always the most important regardless of the action used. But the term "single shot" is completely a misnomer. The single-shot rifle or handgun does not disappear after one shot; it simply needs to be reloaded. The same is true for muzzleloaders. A practiced muzzleloader hunter using a speedloader, such as CVA's 4-in-1 or similar product, can quickly reload in a matter of seconds. Thompson/Center's new Quick Load Accurizer system not only helps in speed loading, it also increases accuracy by ensuring exact bullet alignment.
Speedloaders that hold premeasured
powder, caps, and projectile in a waterproof container are great for quick reloading.
As a proud Texan, I have long heard about some of the extremely long shots made by the Tennessee volunteers who helped defend the Alamo. They used rather small-caliber, long-barreled flintlock and caplock muzzleloaders. These fine marksmen, who could bark a squirrel at 50 yards, apparently wreaked havoc on their enemy at ranges other Alamo defenders didn't even dare try. Be that as it may, for the most part muzzleloaders have long been considered relatively short-range firearms. Now all that is changing. With the development of faster-twist barrels and bullets designed for use in them (including saboted bullets), the modern muzzleloading rifle is breaking the 100-yard barrier. Properly loaded and sighted-in, today's muzzleloaders are capable of extremely fine accuracy at 150 yards or more. My longest shot is in excess of 175 yards. I knew the rifle well and had determined, through extensive range sessions, where the bullet would strike at distances out to 200 yards.
Today's in-line muzzleloaders are
some of the most reliable and dependable firearms made; there is a style available to fit
any hunting application.
I used a .50-caliber Modern LK--93 Thumbhole Wolverine rifle with a Simmons 2-7X blackpowder scope, loaded with 100 grains of Pyrodex and a 25-grain saboted copper Red Hot Bullet by Barnes. It was sighted-in to hit the bullseye three inches high at 100 yards. I knew there was no need to worry about holding high to place the bullet within a deer's vitals at that distance. (That same load sighted-in to hit dead on at 100 yards will only drop about 6.5 inches at 150 yards.) The bullet smashed through the deer's shoulder, severed the spine and dropped him immediately.
By blending the tradition of
hunting with modern technology, in-lines have changed the face of muzzleloading forever.
Well, there you have a quick introduction into getting started in the exciting shooting sport of in-line muzzleloaders. In the next installment of this series, I'll take a look at a wide variety of projectiles, what the manufacturers recommend for their firearms, and some test results/comparisons of different in-line models currently available.
Barnes Bullets Inc.
Dept. ST
318 S. 860 E.
American Fork, UT 84003
Navy Arms Co.
Dept. ST
689 Bergen Blvd.
Ridgefield, VA 07657
Connecticut Valley Arms Inc.
Dept. ST
5988 Peachtree Corners E.
Norcross, GA 30071
Remington Arms Co.
Dept ST
Delle Donne Corp. Center
1011 Centre Rd 2nd Floor
Wilmington, DE 19805
Dixie Gun Works Inc.
Dept. ST
Box 130
Hwy. 51 South
Union City. IN 38261
Simmons Outdoor Corp.
Dept ST
2120 Kilarney Way
Tallahassee, FL 32308
Hodgdon Powder Co.
Dept. ST
Box 2932
Shawnee Mission, KS 66201
Thompson/Center Arms Co.
Dept ST
Box 5002
Rochester, NH 03867
Hornady Manufacturing Co.
Dept ST
Box 1848
Grand Island, NE 68802
Traditions Inc.
Dept. ST
BOX 235
Deep River, CT 06417
Modern Muzzleloading Inc./
Knight Rifles
Dept. ST
234 Airport Rd.
Centerville, IA 52544
White Shooting
Systems Inc.
Dept. ST
25 E. Hwy. 4O, Box 330-12
Roosevelt, UT 84066
Shooting Times, June 1996
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