Muzzloader

skeet · 12-08-2006, 04:10 PM

OK I have been looking at the new regs and am thinking about blackpowder hunting in 2007. Only problem is I know nothing about it. What confuses me the most is what type of firearm I can use. Could anyone break down as to what I can and cannot use? Can I just buy a weapon from Cabelas and call it good or is it more complicated than that? Any help would be appreciated.

fishstik · 12-08-2006, 04:46 PM

Knight is bringing the Bighorn back, this gun in 50Cal SS thumbhole stock will do anything HANDS DOWN.....and is legal in most all states with #11 precusion cap. i have the old wolverine with thumbole stock and upgraded metal sights (i dont like illuminated sights plus i dont think you can have those in oregon), the only diff is mine is 2 inches shorter than the bighorn. They are light and simple, and very easy to clean. Ask that elk in my freezer how straight they shoot.

hicapacity · 12-08-2006, 04:53 PM

Theres not much in Cabelas that can be bought that is legal in Oregon!, cant be closed ignition (cap has to be exposed) cant use 209 primer (shotgun primer) i use a Remington 700 ml , which they quit making a few years back. Lyman makes a good side lock in there deerstalker model. look around on a few sites like gun broker .com or auction arms and see whats out there or go to a Dealer in Oregon.i know a guy who bought a Ruger muzzleloader and it sure didnt look legal for Oregon (cap was not exposed when bolt was closed ) but he seemes to think it was!!
Good luck

Applegate · 12-08-2006, 05:18 PM

Lyman, and Thompson Center are a couple of good quality manufactures.

If you buy a traditional gun (non inline) you will have no legal issues with your weapon, and they are a hoot to shoot .

I have far less trouble making my traditional guns go boom than most of the guys who use inlines that I have talked to.

PGJPJ · 12-09-2006, 11:05 AM

I�m like you skeet, I�d thought about getting into the muzzle loader market but it just seems so complicated. I�m sure it�s not once you understand the regulations, but it�s always difficult to learn new things.

Besides the regulations on what rifle you can/can�t use, there also doesn�t seem to be enough opportunity with a ML to make it worth it. Seems like the seasons are right in the middle of other hunting seasons, or right after when the deer/elk have been chased for 2 months already from archery and rifle hunters.

I guess I�m just not getting it, thought I�m sure it�s just my perception.

sliverpicker · 12-09-2006, 03:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Applegate

Lyman, and Thompson Center are a couple of good quality manufactures.

If you buy a traditional gun (non inline) you will have no legal issues with your weapon, and they are a hoot to shoot .

I have far less trouble making my traditional guns go boom than most of the guys who use inlines that I have talked to.

riverraider · 12-09-2006, 04:35 PM

Your main options for Oregon are the Knight Bighorn(Bi-mart, GI Joes, etc). The Thompson-Center Black Diamond and Black Diamond XR(26 vs 22 1/2 inch barrel) (GI Joes, Big R and others) Either is legal as long as you don't use the fiber optic sights they come with. Most also come with alternate sights or white plastic caps to use in place of the fiber optic rods. Then just use #11 caps and conical bullets like T/C Maxi-Hunter bullets.
Your other option is any of the excellent Hawken type muzzleloaders. They are lots of fun, but I'm using a Black Diamond as I'm more into it being a tool to get yummy meat in the freezer than nastalgia. ( I like that its either sex and the woods aren't full of crazies shooting just about anything that moves. Plus, I grew up hunting elk later when there is snow on the ground instead of in 70 degree weather.

Jimbo · 12-09-2006, 05:21 PM

I've been muzzleloading in Washington since 1973 when you had to order a muzzleloader from Herter's Inc. because no one carried them locally. I have only hunted with a Thompson Renegade .54cal and pouring my own molds. My dad, sister, and brothers all have the same firearm so that if one of us has a firearm problem, any one of us has spare parts,jags etc.
I've taken about 15 elk (mostly cows..we are meat eaters). I've seen a lot of changes in firearms since '73. My eyesight has given me issues with open sites so I researched the new muzzleloaders and was dismayed when I found that you virtually can't buy a .54cal now. .50cal seems to be the standard so I called the muzzleloader experts at both Cabella's and Thomson Firearms and asked them whether they'd use a .50 or a .54 for elk. Both said .54cal. It "just has more punch" so I changed to fiber optic sites and kept my Renegade. If you don't want the older style of muzzleloader I'd go for a Black Diamond. Thompson has been at this a long time and they stand behind what they make.
As for hunting in Oregon, there doesn't seem to be much interest in giving front stuffers their own season (like the bowhunters).

Jim

scottishsetter · 12-09-2006, 07:29 PM

As a note; my Ruger(musket cap breech plug that I use or the #11 perc. cap) shows the cap by tipping the gun to one side with the bolt closed ready to fire.The brass is visible, hence legal.Rain hasn't been an issue.
I found my eyesite an issue as those blacktails move just at legal shooting hours(AM-PM)Couldn't see the front site at first/last light.

Jimbo · 12-10-2006, 08:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by scottishsetter

As a note; my Ruger(musket cap breech plug that I use or the #11 perc. cap) shows the cap by tipping the gun to one side with the bolt closed ready to fire.The brass is visible, hence legal.Rain hasn't been an issue.
I found my eyesite an issue as those blacktails move just at legal shooting hours(AM-PM)Couldn't see the front site at first/last light.

I've tried to deal with the dim light issue over the years. I found that I could see my front bead better by painting it with white enamel paint. I tried other colors, even flourescent orange but always came back to white. I kept a small bottle of hobby paint and qtips in my mz box. The best solution was switching to the fiberoptic sites. Red front bead and two green rear beads and line up the red bead between the green beads. As far as the rain and protecting the percussion cap area, I just learned to carry my muzzleloader balanced in my hand with the stock turned on its side so that my forearm covered the cap. Once I learned that I never had any "pops" without the "Kaboom"

Thats my 2 cents.

Sandbum · 09-29-2009, 08:08 AM

In your situation in Oregon, I also painted my front sight white. For the rear sight, use the williams peep sight with the brass ghost ring. The brass ring gathers light, as does the white paint.

I think you will be satisfied.