Muzzleloader handgun

[Ridgeraider]

Any of you guys deer hunt with ML handgun? If so have you been successful with it and which one do you hunt with? (Make, cal., sights ect.)

 

[jetwrnch]

I used to hunt with a 50cal pistol. Shot several deer with it. All were fairly close range. Don't bother with the revolvers for hunting. Too little energy. I'm guessing TC Encore is about the only real option anymore. Don't know for sure though.

 

[Ridgeraider]

I bought a CVA Optima .50 cal inline that will be here tomorrow. I plan on using it on some public land that I hunt where they only allow ML,Shotgun or archery for deer. I hunt the woods mostly and most all my shots will be 60 yards or closer.


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[user 14220]

Interesting timing as I just read a couple of posts on other forums about the Optima V2. Seems like something I would enjoy. Buds has a pretty good price on them but can't make up my mind to buy the standard or camo version. Am leaning towards the camo but no rush as I won't get a chance to use it this year.
Ridge raider, did you get a chance to shoot yours yet?

 

[Ridgeraider]

Interesting timing as I just read a couple of posts on other forums about the Optima V2. Seems like something I would enjoy. Buds has a pretty good price on them but can't make up my mind to buy the standard or camo version. Am leaning towards the camo but no rush as I won't get a chance to use it this year.
Ridge raider, did you get a chance to shoot yours yet?

Yes I did. I received it Tuesday and took it out Wednesday and Zeroed it. It is extremely fun to shoot and extremely accurate. I've hunted with it some since. I bought the camo version and I got mine online at Muzzle-loaders.com this makes the second ML that I've bought from them and I'm extremely pleases with them. They had the lowest prices I found and have always been fast on completing the order and shipping. I would highly recommend you check them out. I have also bought guns from Buds too and was pleased with them but for ML I'd go with Muzzle-loaders.com

 

[user 14220]

I ordered the Camo version from Buds. $265 shipped, should be here next week. What powder are you using? Did you buy the optional iron sights? Or install a scope or red dot?
Thanks

 

[KPH]

I got a small one this morning with my Muzzleloader pistol. 250gr power belt, 50gr pellet. But the red dot between the eyes and hit it in the neck fell in the spot. Nothing much to look at but it was my first deer pistol kill.

 

[Ridgeraider]

I got a small one this morning with my Muzzleloader pistol. 250gr power belt, 50gr pellet. But the red dot between the eyes and hit it in the neck fell in the spot. Nothing much to look at but it was my first deer pistol kill.

Congratulations! :super:

 

[Ridgeraider]

What powder are you using? Did you buy the optional iron sights? Or install a scope or red dot?
Thanks

Congratulations on the new ML, you'll love it. Right now I'm using triple 7 pellets, but I bought the BlackHorn 209 breach plug and I plan on switching to BH209 during the off season. I'm shooting Harvester crush rib sabots with Hornady 240 gr. Xtp mag. I put a Leupold 2.5X8 scope on mine.

 

[user 14220]

I been using Blackhorn in my CVA rifle. It is accurate and never had a misfire or hang fire using Federal primers. I installed the Black Horn breach plug the day I bought the rifle, never tried it with the original breach plug. Been using 70 grains (by weight) with a .50 245 grain Powerbelt bullet.

Think I will try the sabots and Hornady bullets when time permits.

Cheers.

 

[Grill-n-man]

Shot one with a Traditions trapper 50 cal and have had the Optima 50 cal going on its 2nd year and still waiting for the right shot. Even carry it during rifle season. ITs topped with a tru glo red dot shooting 50 grs 777 with a 220gr Knight bloodline and its crazy accurate.

 

[user 14220]

Mine came in a couple of days ago. Its a lot of gun for the money! Trigger is really nice, fit and finish it very good. I was trying to figure out a way to install some sling studs and a sling and low and behold it shipped with the studs. Just have to screw them in. Plan on buying the breech plug so I can use Blackhorn in it. Have narrowed the sights down to Burris Fast Fire, Ultradot (have one in the safe not being used) or a 2X scope.
To many projects going on right now so doubt if it will be shot for awhile.

 

[Wobblyshot1]

Tomorrow morning l'm will be carrying my Ruger Old Army. I modified a Lee mold to fit the cylinder. It's a 190 grain semi wad cutter. The load is 35 grains 4fg goex and over the chronograph was giving near 1200 fps which is pretty potent for a handgun. Accuracy was very good as well. Hopefully the deer will cooperate and give me a good clean shot at 25/35 yards.

 

[Wobblyshot1]

Had one come in at about 7 am this morning. At about 15 yards it turned it's head just right and made visible two 1 inch spikes. Had I dropped the hammer I would have ended my buck hunting for the year.

Another one saved by the 2 buck limit....LOL :D

 

[TN Larry]

I'm thinking very seriously about buying the Optima pistol. What loads and bullets are you shooting? Red dot, handgun scope, open sights???

 

[PillsburyDoughboy]

Tomorrow morning l'm will be carrying my Ruger Old Army. I modified a Lee mold to fit the cylinder. It's a 190 grain semi wad cutter. The load is 35 grains 4fg goex and over the chronograph was giving near 1200 fps which is pretty potent for a handgun. Accuracy was very good as well. Hopefully the deer will cooperate and give me a good clean shot at 25/35 yards.

That will work .

It's going to punch a small hole straight through at 25 to 50 yards with very little expansion. They will usually pile up
And crash about 50 to 100 yards and bleed out . Allow normal bow times before coming down to check . Learned that the hard way .


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[Ridgeraider]

I'm thinking very seriously about buying the Optima pistol. What loads and bullets are you shooting? Red dot, handgun scope, open sights???

I'm shooting 100 gr of the Tripple 7 pellets with the Hornady 240 gr. XTP Mag and Harvester crush rib sabots. I have a Leupold 2.5x8 x 32mm scope. Last week I went out to some public land I hunt and set under a cedar tree, I hadn't been settled for about 20 mins when a doe came up the trail. I watched her for a few minutes then let the smoke roll. She was about 35 yards away. After about 20 mins I when to check where she was standing. I found hair and blood, I followed the trail for about 60 yards and found her piled up. It was a through and through shot with the exit about the size of a quarter. It destroyed the lungs. I really enjoy hunting with this handgun and its extremely accurate and effective. Although I'm planning on experimenting with Blackhorh 209 powder this off season.

 

[451LRML]

I applaud you guys for hunting with ML pistols.
Not a pistol person at all, but appreciate your effort - obviously effective!

Can any of you share some ballistic data on these loads?

 

[user 14220]

I applaud you guys for hunting with ML pistols.
Not a pistol person at all, but appreciate your effort - obviously effective!

Can any of you share some ballistic data on these loads?

Full disclosure here. Have never even shot mine yet and doubt I will until spring. My best guess would be subtract 150 fps from the data the powder and bullet companies published and that will be danged close.

 

[PillsburyDoughboy]

The Ruger Black powder Revolvers with semi wad cutter style bullets are running somewhere around the same speed as a 45 LC maybe a little slower .


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[Wobblyshot1]

You are probably correct with the 45LC analogy. If my velocity figures are correct( they were from memory ), I should be getting energy values of 500/600 ft lbs. When I decide to unload the gun, I'll do so over a chrono and report back with the results.

 

[landman]

I ordered the Camo version from Buds. $265 shipped, should be here next week. What powder are you using? Did you buy the optional iron sights? Or install a scope or red dot?
Thanks

picked mine up today black/stainless $251 out the door

 

[TN Larry]

I ordered the Camo version from Buds. $265 shipped, should be here next week. What powder are you using? Did you buy the optional iron sights? Or install a scope or red dot?
Thanks

picked mine up today black/stainless $251 out the door

Ordered mine from Cabelas last night. $249.99 to my door. :super:

 

[Ridgeraider]

Congrats! You'll love it! It's my favorite gun to shoot and to hunt with!


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[landman]

 

[451LRML]

Looks good, you still have time to pop a cap in a deer before the season closes..

 

[TN Larry]

Got mine today. Hope to shoot it tomorrow and try to bust a doe with it next weekend. :super:

 

[Ridgeraider]

I like them both! I've thought about going with the red dot but since I had the scope I just went with it. I would like to try the red dot sometime.


Here's mine I'll probably do a little hunting with it this weekend.