Muzzleoader scopes

[Boss Gobbler]

Does anyone shoot a scoped muzzleloader? What kind?

[Big58cal]

I've got a Knight MK-85 in .54 cal with a Simons Aetec in 2.8x10 x 44 on it. Talk about deadly!

[Boss Gobbler]

I have a 50. cal remington I just put a simons 3-9x40 on. Hope it works great.

[Salty]

I've shot Remington, Ruger, Austin Halleck, Encore & several versions of Knight's all in 50 cal. Used the cheapest Tasco up to Nikon Monarch. With just a little bit of tinkering - all have shot a clover-leaf off sand bags at 100 yards. My experience indicates that sabots with bullets 240 grs or larger over 100 grains of Goex 2f, Pyrodex RS, Clean Shot, Clear Shot or pellets work best. All that means, is with a 1/28 twist I think they got it right with almost any combination.

I personnaly prefer 300 or 310 grain bullets over 100 grs. of Goex 2f.
Seems to get the best ignition, not to mention I've got a LOT of it to use up. Pellets seem to have a little more punch, though. I also believe accuracy generally starts to go south above 120 grains of powder.

Flintlock54 has more experience with magnum (150gr) loads than I have. He probably will have some good insights.

Salty

[Flintlock54]

...and I have the sore shoulder to prove it! I have tested several bullet/powder combinations in my 1:28 twist 50 caliber Diamond. Like Salty, I've shot Goex, Elephant, Pyrodex RS Select, Pyrodex P, Pyrodex Pellets, Cleanshot, Clearshot and most recently Triple 7. With a 240 grain saboted bullet over 100 grains of powder and following proper loading techniques, cloverleaf groups can be achieved with most of these powders at 100 yards on bags.

About 4 years ago, I was turned on to a 310 grain solid lead hand molded bullet in 44 caliber. I haven't looked back since. DO NOT FALL INTO THIS 200 YARD THEROY. Of course, the gun will shoot 200 yards but the bullet (300 grain) will drop 22 inches at 200 yards over 150 grains of powder. That's just too much guess work for me to feel comfortable with.

My load this year will be 120 grain Triple 7, a wonder wad, and a green saboted 310 grain hand molded lead bullet. Set 3" high at 100 yards, this load will impact 3" low at 150 yards. That is my maximum distance. The bottom seems to fall out of the flight pattern the last fifty yards when shooting 200 yard distances. Hornady makes a 300 grain 44 caliber pistol bullet that flies well also.

The scope: a Simmons Aetec 3x9x40. It has took a lot of punishment and is still doing fine.

[Salty]

Most quality MLs shoot fine.........here are some observations on 'warts':

Remington, Ruger, Austin Halleck - those that have an internal striker within the bolt. Most folks neglect to take the bolt apart & clean it. Failing to do so for a couple of years will cause it to fail.

Open tops i.e. USAK, Wolverines, CVA, etc: You have to clean the action simply by process of taking the breech plug out. If you don't remove the trigger it is prone to junk dropping in it. Also they tend to burn the bottom of the scope unless you use a 'bra' to cover the scope or action.

Closed breech, Encore, Omega, NEF. They protect the scope & don't have the bolt problem potention of the others. NEF has a unique ram rod that extends, but it may be a hendrence when trying to reload quickly. Haven't heard anything on the Omega - looks real good. Of course the Encore is top of the line, but pricey.

My hunting buddy just bought a 209/45 Encore....he's making good noises about it, but I haven't tried it yet. No doubt it is a dandy.

None of these things would prevent me from buying or using one, but they may be worth considering to you.

Everybody want's 209 primers now. I've used them, but I haven't had any trouble out of #11 or musket caps. Fort Knox wouldn't let you use 209's last year. Haven't heard this year.

Good luck & enjoy

Salty

[Multidigits]

The Simmon's Aetec scope is a great buy for the money.It's one of the clearest scopes you can buy for any price. Did you know the reason a scope this good is so affordable is that it has plastic lens????

[Salty]

Nope, didn't know that........but they are good clear scopes. I felt they were one of Simmons better efforts!

Salty

[Multidigits]

I should have added that you need to be careful wiping dirt and dust off of those scopes because plastic will scratch easier than glass.

[thunderstorm]

I have a Knight Wolverine with a 3x9 scope and love it. It makes a decent shooter out of me.