Modern Muzzle loading

[ourway77]

Any one shooting converted Muzzle Loaders that shoot rifle powder? If so what caliber. I started hunting with a Muzzle Loader when all one could use was the Hawkins Then Tony Knight came out with the inline that was the rage, then Savage came out with the ML'er II I have several that have been converted to use rifle powder from 45-70's They are safe if following the recommended powder charges There have been some accident with these but most have been by human error. With these rifle powder guns 500 yard shots are easily made. Most states allow the use of these rifles. One word of caution never use rifle powder in a Muzzle Loader that says Black powder only or the subs If you do this is what happens.. Here is a target shot with one of my converted ML'ers

 

[PapaG]

I beg to disagree with the statement "500 yard shots are easily made". Range estimation and extreme bullet drop makes these shots irresponsible and foolhardy. Probably 90% of today's hunters can't judge range at that distance within fifty yards. Maybe with a top quality rangefinder yes, but can you tell me how many mil dots you're going to hold over? Few scopes have enough.
I've been shooting and competing with real muzzle loaders (black powder, patched balls , picket balls or Minies) since, but only out to 200 yards. I had an inline and it was accurate out to 150-175 yards but I owe the game better than to take a hail mary shot.
My own personal feelings, and mine alone, are that if it takes smokeless powder, has a superscope on it and comes with unrealistic guarantees it doesn't belong in "primitive" weapon seasons. I'm not even sure what you mean by "converted" muzzle loaders.
Respectfully submitted. Stan

 

[Fine Figure of a Man]

These are impressive.
https://www.hankinscustomrifles.com/rifles-pricing/
I know a guy who just ordered one of their barrels.

 

[Robert]

I'm confused. What is a converted muzzle loader and why would I use one over a normal rifle?

 

[TRX]

I don't know about "converted" either, but hunting laws vary wildly by state. Some states simply require "muzzle loader" for certain seasons, which lets shooters who prefer to avoid BP cleanup use smokeless powder. Some states require "smooth bore"; I used to know a smith who reamed the rifling out of a lot of modern .30 caliber rifles to comply with that. Some states require "black powder", which lets you load up your cartridges with black if you wish. Some states require "straight cases", sometimes with length limits...

Even with conventional rifles in normal hunting season, you can run up against caliber or muzzle energy restrictions when hunting out of state. Always best to check online before planning a trip and buying an out-of-state license.

As for using one of these oddballs over a normal rifle, most states have extended or expanded hunting seasons for them. If you're a hunter, having a compliant rifle means you have a better chance at taking the game you want.

 

[ourway77]

Go to U-Tube type in Hankin's muzzle loader's or smokeless Muzzle Loaders A converted Muzzle Loader Is a re-barrel or a 45-70 fitted with a new breech plug to use rifle powder Both Maryland and Delaware allow these new type Muzzle loaders as a number of other states. In the states I hunt it's called Muzzle Loader season which means any front (Muzzle) loading weapon is legal. It's the same old story like archery when they came out with compound bows many cried same as when they came out with the crossbow they cried I feel one mans fancy one mans hate No one is saying one must use these new modern weapons but they should have a right if they want and they are legal Like I said go to U-tube then tell me a 500 yard shot is impossible. Even Knight rifles has a video of them shooting way over 500 yards

 

[PapaG]

Didn't say impossible. Said irresponsible. Show me some five hundred targets you've shot with a "converted" muzzle loader and I will back off. Still doesn't fall within the original intent of primitive seasons.

 

[Bushpilot]

I owe the game better than to take a hail mary shot.

I agree 100%.

Nice groups and nice rifles. It may technically be a muzzle loader but it certainly isn't what I'd call "primitive." But in the states where it is legal I wouldn't have an issue with it's use unless it's during a "primitive" season and not just a "muzzle loader" season. Not really the same thing anymore. Be fun to target shoot with.

I'm not one for extreme long distance shooting of animals regardless of the rifle they are being shot with, just too many variables, whether they can hit targets at those distances or not... 99.9% of the hunters out there just can't do it reliably under field conditions at extreme range. The tales of the .001% of shooters that can make those kinds of shots with a rifle and bullet capable of doing the job too often just encourages the rest to try. By extreme long distance I mean over 400 yards. When I see a video of someone shooting an elk, sheep or deer at 500 or 600 yards or more the first thing that I think of is nobody ever posts the videos of all the game missed or wounded at those ranges.

 

[Robert]

$2900, for a complete rifle, price tag aside, they are claiming 3000+ fps from a 45 Cal bullet. What the heck kind of pressures are they getting? That is trucking. And 5000 lb ft or energy?! What is the recoil like on that thing? I'll stick with my 375H&H thanks.

And no one said a 500y shot isn't doable. Heck I've made a few of them with my 375. And I hit what I was aiming at every time. But that is not a shot I'd take on game animal. Most people can not properly estimate range at that distance let alone wind. Wounding an animal is not something I am going to do just to prove an internet point.

 

[sage5907]

About 1995 I purchased a White Super 91 50 caliber rifle that was advertised to make accurate hits at 200 yards. I have hunted and practiced with that rifle for 23 years. It is hard to overcome the rainbow trajectory of heavy bullets at low velocity, especially in hunting situations. At first I realized I could shoot 430 grain super slugs accurately at 100 yards. I could hit at 120 yards by placing the sight level with the top of a bucks back. I used quick detachable scope mounts and I carried a separate scope in a turkey call bag on my belt and it was sighted in at 140 yards, and at 150 yards I could place the point of aim level with the top of the deer's back. I never did figured out how to shoot in a hunting situation at 200 yards. Today I am content to keep my shots under 120 yards and use only one scope sighted in at 100 yards. Chasing that long range shot was frustrating, and I tried many powders and many bullets. Long distant shooting with heavy bullets at low velocity is all hot air to me. Big mature bucks don't give enough time to use a range finder and calculate the bullet drop at odd distances. Most of the time when I see a big buck he never stops moving, the range continuously changes, and within 15 or 20 seconds he is out of sight.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Range “estimation” simply is not an issue anymore, why estimate when everybody and their dog has a laser range finder now days? The capability that is available in a modern custom muzzle loader now days is right there with a CF rifle. If it’s legal in your state and it floats your boat why not?

Understand that some states have a primitive season and some simply have a muzzle loader only season. They are not the same thing. I’ve seen some of these smokeless ML’s hit steel out at 600 yards every pull of the trigger. I’ve watched some guys on TV make kills past that. I’m not saying it’s for me but the technology is definitely there.

 

[H&Hhunter]

Here you go. The Gun Werks ML and I’m not sure if that thing is using smokeless or a BP substitute.

 

[CraigC]

IMHO, rifles like this are simply made to take advantage of ambiguous rules. So folks can take advantage of the early blackpowder season with as little inconvenience as possible.

With these rifle powder guns 500 yard shots are easily made.

No one said it was impossible. It's the statement that 500yd shots are "easily" made. I've been shooting a long time and 500yd shots on an 8" kill zone are not made "easily" under field conditions, regardless of equipment used.

 

[PapaG]

Whatever floats your boat. Just don't try to convince a traditionalist you're hunting "the hard way".
Have fun. Just not for me

 

[alsaqr]

The mark of a hunter is to sneak up within 35 yards an pot the animal with a sidelock.