Long Range MuzzleLoader recommendations

[1holeaddict]

Looking to purchase a Long range muzzleloader for a whitetail hunt later this year.

Is there anyone who has personal experience with them?


Thank You

Ryan

 

[Mr. Ten-X]

Define long-range?

 

[savagedasher]

One with a long barrel
The powder for them like longer barrels
Speed is a plus when shooting long range

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Once you go smokeless, you won't go black...powder again.

 

[MrMajestic]

What ignition type?

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

What ignition type?

If I were building it, I'd go small rifle, but there are other systems that work very well. IMO, you don't want or need a 209 or other "big" ignition source for smokeless powders and typical capacities. Two reasons I believe this...One is that you want a soft ignition in order to prevent the primer moving the projectile before full on ignition. Think varying seating depths!
And two...ya just don't need a huge honkin primer to reliably light off smokeless powder. There is a lot of exposed area of the powder column too, which contributes here.
Just my 2 cents and it might be worth less.

 

[hogpatrol]

I shoot a saboted 200 gr. SST at a touch over 2750 out of a smokeless muzzleloader. It's good for minute of deer out to 300. At 400 yards, accuracy is for crap. If you want to shoot further, same platform, only go with land riders and more powder.

 

[scallop]

I would use Jeff Hankins.

He will build it or you can purchase his ignition system if you are building it yourself. If you are interested in my opinions on barrel contours, stocks, breaks, ect. Let me know.

 

[hogpatrol]

If I were building it, I'd go small rifle, but there are other systems that work very well. IMO, you don't want or need a 209 or other "big" ignition source for smokeless powders and typical capacities. Two reasons I believe this...One is that you want a soft ignition in order to prevent the primer moving the projectile before full on ignition. Think varying seating depths!
And two...ya just don't need a huge honkin primer to reliably light off smokeless powder. There is a lot of exposed area of the powder column too, which contributes here.
Just my 2 cents and it might be worth less.

Adapters are made so as to use a small rifle primers instead of the 209s. One of my shooting/machinist friends uses .308 cut down cases with a special breech plug. There are quite a few ways to skin this cat. On my SML, the breech plug flash hole is .030 so no worries about pushing the bullet prematurely.

https://www.eabco.com/VariFlame25ACP.htm

 

[hogpatrol]

Hank's Message Board has a large amount of info on these rifles.

http://hanksmessageboard.freeforums.net/board/3/modern-smokeless-muzzleloaders

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I shoot a saboted 200 gr. SST at a touch over 2750 out of a smokeless muzzleloader. It's good for minute of deer out to 300. At 400 yards, accuracy is for crap. If you want to shoot further, same platform, only go with land riders and more powder.

I don't like sabots in this application. I know they can work but they come with their own set of problems. Again, if I were building it, I'd make a die to engrave the bullet from the cutoff from the barrel. Once more..JMHO. There is, as you said, more than one way to skin that cat, too.

 

[MrMajestic]

Why can't old guys just accept that easy things are okay...

 

[sdean]

Not all states allow smokeless muzzle loaders.

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

Not all states allow smokeless muzzle loaders.

Then I'd build a good slug gun and a slingshot.
Seriously though...I know some WMA's etc don't allow them but what states don't allow smokeless MZ's?

 

[savagedasher]

Then I'd build a good slug gun and a slingshot.
Seriously though...I know some WMA's etc don't allow them but what states don't allow smokeless MZ's?

Florida is one

 

[1holeaddict]

I am looking to have the capability to shoot out to 300 yards with confidence and possibly out to 500 yards if needed.
I will be hunting bean fields in illinois. From previous experience on the farms that i will be hunting a good 300 yard gun will be probably all i need but i would like to know that a 500 yard shot can be made.

 

[savagedasher]

Air rifle if you state alows it
If not a long barrel muzzle loader a a good range finder

 

[gunsandgunsmithing]

I am looking to have the capability to shoot out to 300 yards with confidence and possibly out to 500 yards if needed.
I will be hunting bean fields in illinois. From previous experience on the farms that i will be hunting a good 300 yard gun will be probably all i need but i would like to know that a 500 yard shot can be made.

The biggest issue I see is your time frame unless you can find a good used one, ready to go. I'd go custom...Your factory options are very limited. Savage has even gone to "limited" production, if they're still making them at all. My next one will be a smaller caliber. I'm leaning toward a .40 but may go smaller still. Maybe a .338.

300 yards is easy and 500 is no problem for these guns! I've seen factory Savages shoot 2-1/2" at 300 and still have more energy than a 300 WinMag.

 

[sdean]

Then I'd build a good slug gun and a slingshot.
Seriously though...I know some WMA's etc don't allow them but what states don't allow smokeless MZ's?

Arizona,Colorado, New Mexico, Louisiana, Mississippi to name a few specify black powder.

 

[hogpatrol]

Then I'd build a good slug gun and a slingshot.
Seriously though...I know some WMA's etc don't allow them but what states don't allow smokeless MZ's?

New Jersey is another one but you can use any centerfire rifle up to .243 caliber for varmints. Go figure.