Why do you shoot a muzzle loader?

[hoochiepapa]

But that was the reason for trying something else-I didn't want to shoot elk at 200 yards anymore. I wanted the challenge. It wasn't fun to use my 2.5x10 Leupold and .280 to conk an elk at long distance. Yes, I kept the freezer full, but I wanted some thing more.
They can kill all the elk they want at 200 yards. I want to use my stalking skills and get close.
Who are Jim and Toby??

 

[gifford]

Lots of reasons, most have been mentioned previously. I've recently started shooting caplock pistols and am enjoying it immensely.

 

[hanshi]

Uh, all that too. This thread turned out very well, indeed.

 

[Bill Hall]

Jim Shockey and Toby Bridges. In traditional muzzleloader circles, They are the equivalent of Jane Fonda and Benedict Arnold. I'm not bashing them, just stating what some folks think of them.

PT me and I will bash them all day! :cursing: Bill

 

[himem777]

I guess I am the odd ball here, but that is not new . I started as a survivalist. I am in my late 30s and I saw the worst generation driving our nation into the socialist ground.... But like I said that is where it started, now.... well I fell in love with the history of it all. Now even my 1936 Jonas feeds at the black powder/ round ball table.

 

[east texas]

well i got into trouble in the 70s and had a felony, black powder is all i was allowed to have {legally} but the primitave skills and enjoyment that came with muzzleloading hooked me like a catfish on a big old grubworm! now i am allowed {legally} to posses a self defence gun on my property but not allowed to transport it out of my domain, so i still take frontstuffers hunting,the strange thing is even if i could go hunting with the mosin nagant, id still take the 50 or the 45 instead , they shoulder and balance better, cheaper to shoot, and i bring home more meat with them than i ever did with cf rifles. its like the old harley addage,if i had to explain, you wouldnt understand, some times a feeling just cant be put into words, but you know when something feels right

 

[capt_turk]

Mine is a similar story. Got in trouble back in the late 60's. Can't own modern firearms.
About 10 years ago, I was working in the yard. Looked up to find a black bear that had to weigh at least 500 lbs. about 200' away looking at me like I was dinner. Since I couldn't buy modern, I bought a 50 cal. flinter the next day. Heard later that the bear had killed a horse and a cow that afternoon in a neighbors field. Never saw the bear again, but fell in love with smoke poles. That has led to a serious addiction that I really have no wish to cure. :haha:

 

[MSW]

East Texas, i couldn't agree more... if it has to be explained, you wouldn't understand.

I shoot ML 'cause there's something about them that can't be had with fixed cartridge ammunition ... a 'majic,' if you will.

Make good smoke!

 

[hoochiepapa]

Yeah, I've seen their shows. :cursing: Me, too.

 

[50cal.cliff]

I grew up hunting and fishing,saw all the shows that used muzzleloaders on them, read all the books, but never fired one till I was in my forties. Then I was hooked!
I borrowed one to get in on the early muzzleloader season. I missed a big deer that year but I have never looked back and now have a good understanding to as why I missed that deer that year. There was a lot I didn't now back then about BP!
I really enjoy shooting them more than a modern rifle and love to take one to the range and watch folks around me and ususally get one to try it. There is no telling how many I have gotten hooked by giving them a couple of shots with my rifle! :rotf:

 

[east texas]

check with your lawer ! the supreme court in 06,{not very publicized} found that a felon who has been 5 yrs since being in any kind of trouble can legally posses a modern firearm for home protection, but cannot purchase it or take it off his property so on fathers day.............

 

[Bill Hall]

Well, I want to take a brief turn from the original question, since you guys are the ones to ask about past felonies. I have a friend who has a felony, did his time, and is doing his best to turn his life around. Doing very well too. He talks about getting into hunting, and told me he could only use a bow. I told him I was pretty sure he could use a muzzleloader if he was interested.

Can I tell this guy he can legally buy and shoot a muzzleloader, even a new fangled one (heaven forbid)? I'm sure he would need to clear it with his parole officer, maybe even inform him of the legalities surrounding the issue. Is there a place I can find out the straight dope on owning a muzzleloader with a past felony? Thanks, Bill

 

[rabjr]

That wouldn't fly here in most cases, violent crimes, he couldn't buy a hunting license here. That would prevent him from having one in his possession. So you need to check with your Fish & Game dept. I'm sure they are all different.


Rhode Island General Law 20-13-5 PROHIBITS the following persons from PURCHASING or POSSESSING a Hunting License:

Persons convicted of a Crime of Violence*
Fugitives from justice
Anyone declared mentally incompetent
Drug Addicts
Habitual drunkards


*"Crime of Violence" shall mean and include any of the following crimes or an attempt to commit any of them; murder, manslaughter, rape, first or second degree sexual assault, first or second degree child molestation, kidnapping, first and second degree arson, mayhem, robbery, burglary, breaking and entering, any felony involving the illegal manufacture, sale, or delivery of a controlled substance classified in schedule I or schedule II of §21-28-2.08, any violation §21-28-4.01.1 or §21-28-4.01.2 or conspiracy to commit any violation of these statutes, assault with a dangerous weapon, assault or battery involving grave bodily injury, and/or assault with intent to commit any offense punishable as a felony; upon any conviction of an offense punishable as a felony offense under §12-29-5 (domestic violence).

Penalty is a misdemeanor, punishable by a fine of not more than five hundred Dollars ($500.00) or imprisonment for up to ninety (90) days or both.

Felons cannot own guns. However, an ex-felon can. An individual can become an ex-felon in one of two ways: having the conviction vacated by a court, or obtaining a pardon from either the governor (state offenses) or the president (federal offenses). While not an easy or quick thing to accomplish, in some cases it can be done. At any rate, in either of those circumstances, typically gun ownership rights can be restored.

 

[Bill Hall]

Oh, I see. It's not just a federal thing, there are state laws also to consider. I'll start by asking my state game and fish department. I doubt if they will know though, I don't think they could tell me what day it is if I asked. But maybe they can direct me to another source. Thanks. Bill

 

[rabjr]

Yeah Feds don't consider them firearms but some States do.

 

[gearheart]

They banned firecrackers up here in Canada. I re-live my childhood with the smell of the smoke. My muzzle loader is like having a ballistics lab where I can experiment with all of the load variables. The "one shot, make it count" thing appeals to me. Did I mention I love the smell of burnt BP? :thumbsup:

 

[east texas]

snowdragon, dont know what new mex law states but texas does NOT consider a muzzleloader a firearm as long as it is a replica or original of 1899 or earlier design ibelieve is how it reads, a in line is not permitted for felons to hunt with{shouldnt be allowed period ! imo} but thats another can of worms! the feds are cool with it but youd hafta check with your equivalent of our parks and wildlife dept or something else to consider if its possible to hunt any fed land around there :idunno:

 

[Bill Hall]

Ok, thanks for the info guys. I'll either check with the state game dept. or suggest my friend check.

Thanks for entertaining my question. Now, back to the original subject. Bill

 

[wahunterinrok]

My Dad bought me one for Christmas before I went to Korea in 02. Took it shooting, used my Dad's method and hangfires were the norm. I put it away as Korea and Iraq got in the way of any shooting time. then received a couple cap and ball revolvers when I returned from another deployment. remembered the Hawken, got online to find a better way to load and shoot, found this website, and have been making smoke like crazy with that Hawken! Think after I return from Afghanistan, a few more will be making their way into the safe!

 

[east texas]

good luck to you!thanx for your service!even tho our country has a few shortcomings right now ,{imo}there is still no better place on earth to live :v