Alphecca: Nice Article on Muzzleloaders

September 23, 2005

Nice Article on Muzzleloaders

For those, like myself, who aren't familiar with muzzleloaders, the New Bern Sun Journal (NC) has an interesting article on muzzleloaders well worth a read. Here's a quote:

One of the fastest-growing outdoor sports is deer hunting with muzzleloading rifles. That's partly due to the tremendous growth of whitetailed deer herds in many states and the provision of special seasons reserved specifically for primitive weapons. It's also a reflection of innovations in muzzleloading technology that make "smoke poles" much more reliable and hunter-friendly. In fact, modern black powder guns are so close to centerfire rifles in how they function that some folks feel that they should no longer be classified as "primitive" weapons. Are those people right?

Regardless of where you stand on that issue, you have to acknowledge that today's muzzleloading rifles have a long and colorful history. Their heritage includes such notables as famed gun designer, James Purdey; the original Renaissance man, Leonardo de Vinci; and a North Carolina gunsmith, Henry Ball.

Hand-held muzzleloading weapons had become common in Europe by 1375 but were basically small canons. Matchlock ignition systems allowed the development of guns that were lighter, more manageable and less affected by foul weather. They still required that a lit match be applied to a small amount of powder in a priming pan so the resulting flash could ignite the main powder charge. Frequently the initial spark would be all that would happen - giving rise to the description of an ineffective person as a "flash in the pan."

Read the whole (lengthy) thing if you'd like to learn more of the colorful history of these guns as well as their modern applications. Quite interesting.

Update: Now that I think of it, for the novice, what would be a good first muzzleloader to break into the sport with? Say, something under $300...

Posted by Jeff Soyer at September 23, 2005 06:30 AM

Comments

Yeah, thanks for the link Jeff. That is something I have thought about from time to time, and your raised my awareness. Muzzleloading extends the hunting season greatly, and that, together with their historical roots, could provide a means to attract a portion of middle-of-the-road segment of the US population into our culture. I'm going to think about that a bit more.

Posted by: Individ at September 23, 2005 08:03 AM

They are also somewhat easier to purchase in some of the most restrictive states than a centerfire rifle. Or at least they were until a few years ago. As a New Jersey resident, I can walk into Cabel's in Hamburg, PA and buy a muzzleloader off the rack without any background checks but even a shotgun or a .22 bolt action will have the clerks asking for my FID card and doing a background check before I can walk out of the store.

Posted by: joated at September 23, 2005 10:59 AM

Hi Jeff,
Bill and I both have Black Diamond rifles made by Thompson Center. They come in a pack with must have accessories. Mine has a scope. Without the scope it cost right around $300.00 as I recall. While not a beautiful rifle (it has a composite stock for instance), it's servicable and accurate.

Posted by: Denise at September 23, 2005 11:57 AM

Thompson Center Hawken. I prefer .50cal. Excellent quality starter rifle. Good all around caliber.

In Washington, at least, inline type ML rifles are not legal for primitive hunts. They're OK for general (modern) seasons though.

For primitive hunts the ignition must be open to the elements, you're limited to one loaded barrel if you're using a double, and replica powder is also a no-no. I've never found any of these "restrictions" to be a problem.

Posted by: Gerry N. at September 23, 2005 02:33 PM

I like my Knight. It shoots pretty good, <4" at 100 yards, with little load development and you can get one for less than $200.00.

In these Tennessee woods I often take my muzzleloader even during the modern weapon season.

Posted by: Marc at September 23, 2005 04:09 PM

Make that "It shoots pretty good, less than 4" at 100 yards, with little to no load development."

Posted by: Marc at September 23, 2005 04:11 PM

My flintlock longrifle is an absolute hoot to shoot. But my caplock TC Hawken is a lot easier to hit things with - it has an aperture rear sight and a globe front sight, which are not very primitive, but there were such sights for this style of gun and they're a lot easier for old eyes to use. Both are 50 cal with double set triggers.

For starters I'd sure look for a TC Hawken.

Posted by: wrangler5 at September 23, 2005 08:20 PM

Spend a little more money.

I would recommend a Lyman GPR for about $425.

http://tinyurl.com/83t77

Posted by: Kristopher at September 26, 2005 12:17 PM

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September 23, 2005

Nice Article on Muzzleloaders

By Golly, you're reading an archived post. Click Here to head to the main page and read current stuff...

Check it out:

My group sci-fi blog novel:

Colony: Alchibah