[vthompson]

I got myself a muzzleloader a little while back and I finally got it sighted in the other day. In all of my years of hunting, I have never went deer hunting with a muzzleloader so this year I am really looking forward to it.
I am not talking about a new inline muzzleloader but I bought a traditional T/C 50cal Hawken.
I only sighted it in for 60 yards because where I live the terrain and woods in general won't allow a shot any further than that. Most of the time a 30 - 40 yard shot is the norm.
I like the challenge of really only having 1 shot to take a deer with so you have to make your shot count whenever you squeeze the trigger.
I plan on shooting it once a week until season comes in to stay tuned up on it but I am now looking for a 36cal. rifle to hunt small game with.

[tjwilhelm]

VT...are you going to melt lead and pour/mold your own .50 cal. ammo?

This is a bit off topic (sorry) but I just found a 3' x 4' fresnel lens that will concentrate the sunlight enough that it can melt a penny in 3 seconds. I'm envisioning a solar-heated crucible for melting your lead for your .50 cal ammo! Hot stuf, and self-sufficient!

http://www.sciplus.com/search.cfm?ut...=0&btnHand.y=0

[heysmithy]

Originally Posted by vthompson

I got myself a muzzleloader a little while back and I finally got it sighted in the other day. In all of my years of hunting, I have never went deer hunting with a muzzleloader so this year I am really looking forward to it.
I am not talking about a new inline muzzleloader but I bought a traditional T/C 50cal Hawken.
I only sighted it in for 60 yards because where I live the terrain and woods in general won't allow a shot any further than that. Most of the time a 30 - 40 yard shot is the norm.
I like the challenge of really only having 1 shot to take a deer with so you have to make your shot count whenever you squeeze the trigger.
I plan on shooting it once a week until season comes in to stay tuned up on it but I am now looking for a 36cal. rifle to hunt small game with.

Thats really cool! I've been jealous of my brothers muzzleloader since he bought it last year. He only got one because he didn't get a deer during the regular rifle season and he wanted to keep trying, lol. Anyway, I'm sure that thing has got some serious knock down power. Aren't those bullets like 350gr or something like that?

Originally Posted by tjwilhelm

VT...are you going to melt lead and pour/mold your own .50 cal. ammo?

This is a bit off topic (sorry) but I just found a 3' x 4' fresnel lens that will concentrate the sunlight enough that it can melt a penny in 3 seconds. I'm envisioning a solar-heated crucible for melting your lead for your .50 cal ammo! Hot stuf, and self-sufficient!

American Science & Surplus : Search Results for "mother of all fresnel lenses"

We should probably start a separate thread on this, as I think it's an excellent subject, but you can actually take a giant fresnel lens, like the one in the link, out of an old "bubble screen" style TV. You should be able to find that at some yard sale or salvage yard or something like that.

[vthompson]

Originally Posted by tjwilhelm

VT...are you going to melt lead and pour/mold your own .50 cal. ammo?

This is a bit off topic (sorry) but I just found a 3' x 4' fresnel lens that will concentrate the sunlight enough that it can melt a penny in 3 seconds. I'm envisioning a solar-heated crucible for melting your lead for your .50 cal ammo! Hot stuf, and self-sufficient!

American Science & Surplus : Search Results for "mother of all fresnel lenses"

WOW, what a lens. I would like to see that puppy in action wouldn't you? As for the ammo, I buy Hornady round balls because they are guaranteed against air pockets being trapped inside and they are uniform in weight and diameter.

[hunter480]

The bullet weight will vary based on what the shooter tries thru his barrel and what he settles on, based on what that particular barrel "likes". Any weapon, and rifles included, has a barrel that is extremely individual and the same make weapon by the very same manufacturer may have barrels that shoot entirely different brand, bullet weight, and powder loads accurately. I shoot a 250 grain Barnes bullet in my Knight Disc Extreme, but my nephew, in his Remington ML shot a 385 grain "Buffalo" bullet.

What a cool deal though that you`ve gotten the bug. I`ve never shot a primitive ML and only got into it, as was said, to extend my hunting season for white-tails. I admire the guys who really love the primitive way though, actually shooting black powder and maybe even a patch and round ball.

Hope you do well with your new weapon and put some great venison in the freezer.

[stairman]

ive been muzzleloading for 10 years now. Its crazy not to take advantage of the extended seasons and muzzleloadier season is the peak chase phase here. The twist of the barrel usually dictates your bullet. I have a 1 in 66 twist that shoots best with ball and patch but my 1 in 28 twist[rifeling] shoots conicals best. I have a modern inline with scope and pellets and a 12 guage shotgun [BP] also a 44 cal pistol. They are different to clean then other firearms and after a few shots, if not cleaned it can affect accuracy. At the end of the season, clean and oil it well. If you have any questions just ask.

[Pat/Rick]

T/C has quit making the traditional guns.Sounds like you made a good choice.They are good rifles. Washington state stopped letting us extend our seasons by using different weapons. Now you have to pick either archery, muzzleloader, or modern firearm. I enjoy shooting BP rifles and revolvers.

[kevin]

Originally Posted by tjwilhelm

I just found a 3' x 4' fresnel lens that will concentrate the sunlight enough that it can melt a penny in 3 seconds. I'm envisioning a solar-heated crucible for melting your lead for your .50 cal ammo! Hot stuf, and self-sufficient!

after seeing that recent video for the death ray, I've been on the lookout for an old projection tv. the price you linked is too steep for me, but wouldn't that be sweet to setup your own sun powered reloading station