I'm looking to hunt muzzleloader for elk this year. I've never hunted with or owned a muzzleloader. I know you can't use a scope or 209 primers, but that's about it. Any suggestions on guns? I looked at a Knight with a 22" barrel & fiber optic sights, I really liked that one. Also, looked up at Kesselrings Gun Shop then priced some on-line. Beleive it or not, Kesselrings had the best prices. I would appreciate any suggestions or helpful hints that you all may have.

Camo

the regs are alot more restrictive than that. check them closer. the ignition must be open to the elements, projectile must be all lead and other stuff. i hunt traditonal so am not all up on the particulars.

Hey Josh,

Thanks. I guess I did know that you can't use a jacketed projectile and that the ignition must be exposed to the elements. Funny what you forget that you already know. :p

watch the Washingtonlakes.com forum or the Piscatorial Pursuits forum. If you ever see a post from a guy calling himself "DOGFISH" e-mail him and I'll bet he'd be really helpful. You might even search back a few weeks to find one of his posts and then click on the e-mail icon an go from there.

For elk I'd go with a .54cal . You can get away with a .50cal,but you are going to rely on a big hunk of lead to drop an animal,versus higher velocity and shock with modern rifles. The maximum effective range with a ML will be around 150yds. Theres to much loss of velocity with a ML past 150yds and you have alot more bullet drop to deal with to be very accurate. Most modern in-line barrels have a fast twist.. about 1 in 32 so they shoot conicals better than round balls. the traditional ML have about 1 in 66 twist and are better suited for round balls.

I shoot a CVA in-line, it's a .54 cal and I use 365gr. conicals with 120grns of pyrodex. The CVA was 150 bucks from cabelas, it's very accurate and has a syn. stock so it's weather proof. Theres alot more maintanance with a ML cause if you load it,the easiest way to unload it is to shoot it. At that point you gotta clean it or you have serious problems with rust and corrosion.

E-mail me if you have any specific questions on muzzleloaders, I'd be glad to help.

This site is very informative, check it out.

http://www.huntamerica.com/wwwthreads/postlist.php?Cat=&Board=UBB12

I hope this is ok to post as it is not much competiton.

Somebody call my name?

Muzzleloaders are a great way to go. I agree with the .54 caliber idea. I own two myself. My T/C Thunderhawk loves the Hornady Great Plains bullet. I haven't had to shoot an elk at any more than 30 yards so far, so maximum effective range has not been an issue, but with good peep sights you can easily take game out to 100 yards, and maybe a bit further. Look for a rifle that has the ability to add a peep, all Thompson Center rifles do.

Synthetic stocks and stainless steel inlines may not be "traditional", but they are the ticket in west side deer and elk hunting.

Kesselrings has a good selection of rifles, and the sales people know their stuff. Knight, Thompson Center (T/C), Remington, and even CVA all make suitable rifles. I suggest getting a bargain rifle to see if you like it, under $300, and then if you do, get serious. Beware, muzzleloading is a gadget sport. If you're a gdaget guy, go get a line of credit!

Andy