Hello,
I'm a new guy here from Montana. As many of you probably know, Montana started a heritage season a couple years ago. Seems like a heck of a good time to be out chasing elk and deer in the mountains.
I stumbled across a few video's on YT that I think were posted by idaholewis. Those video's kind of opened my eyes to the accuracy that can be achieved with a traditional muzzleloader and plenty of practice I'm sure. I'm a newbie when it comes to Muzzleloader hunting. Been successful the last 10-15 years western hunting many states across the west with archery and rifle equipment but have developed an itch to explore muzzleloader hunting.
I've been skimming through a lot of the forums and there is obviously a ton of knowledgeable folks on this forum.
Looking to learn a few things and get some help on deciding what caliber, gun, setup would be a good place to start to help increase my odds of success during the heritage season.
I will disclose my initial thoughts and hope to get some feedback.
I'm looking at the Thompson center Renegage in .54 cal. I think it has a 1:48 twist rate which from my limited reading/understanding is kind of the sweet spot for RB/mini ball setups. (Please correct me if i'm wrong!).
The other consideration is the Shedhorn in .50 cal. I have a few friends with that rifle and there are mixed reviews. I like the removable breach and the twist rate for mini ball's. Because I primarily plan to hunt elk i'm leaning towards the .54 cal for a little safety factor.
A lot of folks are putting on the fixed magnification red dots to help with target Aquisition. My eyesight is alright and I'm considering some sort of peep sight if I go with the .54.
I'd be interested in people's thoughts. Powder/load/patch/lube recommendations. I'm completely new to this and want to have a safe rifle that's a lethal setup for elk hunting. I'm attempting to get it soon so I can have basically a full year to get acquainted. I'd also be curious to hear peoples experience hunting elk and what kind of range is a realistic range with a sound setup and plenty of practice. I'd be thrilled if I could refine a setup for 150 yards and under.
For Montana's traditional season, you must use a solid lead projectile and use either a traditional flintlock or sidelock percussion cap style muzzleloader. You're also not allowed to have any sort of magnified optic on the rifle. I'm hoping to keep my total cost under 500 for the gun and another couple hundred for a sight/powder/bullets and other accessories.
I'm a new guy here from Montana. As many of you probably know, Montana started a heritage season a couple years ago. Seems like a heck of a good time to be out chasing elk and deer in the mountains.
I stumbled across a few video's on YT that I think were posted by idaholewis. Those video's kind of opened my eyes to the accuracy that can be achieved with a traditional muzzleloader and plenty of practice I'm sure. I'm a newbie when it comes to Muzzleloader hunting. Been successful the last 10-15 years western hunting many states across the west with archery and rifle equipment but have developed an itch to explore muzzleloader hunting.
I've been skimming through a lot of the forums and there is obviously a ton of knowledgeable folks on this forum.
Looking to learn a few things and get some help on deciding what caliber, gun, setup would be a good place to start to help increase my odds of success during the heritage season.
I will disclose my initial thoughts and hope to get some feedback.
I'm looking at the Thompson center Renegage in .54 cal. I think it has a 1:48 twist rate which from my limited reading/understanding is kind of the sweet spot for RB/mini ball setups. (Please correct me if i'm wrong!).
The other consideration is the Shedhorn in .50 cal. I have a few friends with that rifle and there are mixed reviews. I like the removable breach and the twist rate for mini ball's. Because I primarily plan to hunt elk i'm leaning towards the .54 cal for a little safety factor.
A lot of folks are putting on the fixed magnification red dots to help with target Aquisition. My eyesight is alright and I'm considering some sort of peep sight if I go with the .54.
I'd be interested in people's thoughts. Powder/load/patch/lube recommendations. I'm completely new to this and want to have a safe rifle that's a lethal setup for elk hunting. I'm attempting to get it soon so I can have basically a full year to get acquainted. I'd also be curious to hear peoples experience hunting elk and what kind of range is a realistic range with a sound setup and plenty of practice. I'd be thrilled if I could refine a setup for 150 yards and under.
For Montana's traditional season, you must use a solid lead projectile and use either a traditional flintlock or sidelock percussion cap style muzzleloader. You're also not allowed to have any sort of magnified optic on the rifle. I'm hoping to keep my total cost under 500 for the gun and another couple hundred for a sight/powder/bullets and other accessories.
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