Muzzleloader questions

[swampdogz]

I've been itching for a muzzleloader for a few years now and have narrowed my search to a Thompson Omega 50 cal.
I picked up a few different models, and have more or less decided on the laminate stock, without the thumbhole. I like the look and feel of it. It comes up just right to my shoulder, and just seems to fit me well.

The local gander has one on sale with a 24" barrel. A few advantages seem to be that it would be easier to swing, and help avoid twigs, branches and other hangups. Plus, I am a small guy (5'6") so the smaller length suits me.
I've read a bit about barrel length, and they say this should not affect accuracy, but maybe aiming differences. Any other drawback to this ?


Also, this does not come as a package, so I need to buy the caps/loads/bullets.

Also, I've never loaded and fired a muzzleloader before. I dont know anyone around here who muzzleloads, any recommended reading? Advice? Warnings? (so I do it right and dont blow my face off or something)

I may or may not hunt with it this year, but I want to be ready for next year.

[backwoodsman]

Read, read and re-read the manufacturers paperwork that comes with it. I hunt with sidelocks 99% of the time but they are all basically the same. Powder, bullet, primer. Ball/bullet starter, ball/bullet puller is a must have, eventualy you will forget to load the powder first, trust me. Powder measure, primer holder/dispenser. I recommend loose 777 and all of our hunting camp uses it in all of our powder burners, modern inlne, percussion and even in my flintlocks now(have to load 5 gr's of Goex or Pyrodex first in flinters). Load 777 15% less then you do other loadings, its hot! Since your using a modern inline, a sabot or modern full bore bullet like Powerbelts or Buffalo Bullets will shoot best. The rate of twist in the barrel is too fast for patched roundballs. Heres how I load my 'loaders. Treat every gun of course like its loaded. Blackpowder and its substitutes are measured by volume NOT weight. If you measure the blackpowder by weight or use smokless powder ie: modern powder for rifles etc you will make a very big bomb and possibly die. Drop your premeasured charge of powder down the bore. Press the bullet/ball into the bore with your thumb, some modern bullets will slide right down. If it doesnt slide down then use your short rod on the ball/bullet starter to push it 2 or so inches deep. Next use the long rod on the starter to push it down to where the starter "bottoms out". Next pull your ramrod and seat the bullet firmly on top of the powder charge, there cant be a gap of any kind, hold the ramrod as near the bore as possible. Replace the ramrod(common sense I know but I seen a guy shoot his ramrod one time). Cap/prime the rifle and fire. Welcome to a most rewarding sport and you'll now know why the old timers always said keep your powder dry!

[cjg]

TCs come with a very good manual, should tell you every thing you need to know. You can probably get it on line at their website. More isn't always better when it comes to powder charge, I found my firehawk shoots more accurate with lighter loads whatever bullet I'm using. The biggest thing is be consistent, allways load it the same way. Get the stainless, you'll be glad you did. I shoot a Clean Shot powder and it cuts down on cleaning between shots. Get yourself some of the plastic quick load things that hold your bullet and powder charge for fast follow up shots. If the weather has been good while hunting you can leave your gun loaded for days or longer, but if it's been bad or for any reason you think it may have been compromised get it out, I missed an opportunity at a nice late season buck by being lazy/cheap and not recharging after some bad weather. You can get a CO2 setup to discharge or just fire it at the end of the day. The CO2 setup works good, but it blasts them right out so be careful when you do it. It's a lot of fun, have a blast, be prepared for the smoke cloud after you shoot and not being able to see towards your target for a few seconds.

[Runner]

All that's been said is solid. My biggest suggestion is to go out in the off season and shoot a LOT at the range. Speed loads are also a good idea so that all measuring, etc is done under a controlled atmosphere, at home. But mainly, get yourself a shooting "pattern" of loading and such, so you'll do it correctly each and every time. A muzzleloader is basically an open-ended pipe bomb. Don't ever forget that. I've never found any reason to use more than 100 garins of loose powder. When hunting I normally use 90 grains of powder. I like Triple-7 a lot and I've used them all. I also like the Powerbelt bullet for big game in 295 grain. That's a light bullet, compared to some of the old style bullets we once used, by the way. When practicing, I like to swab the barrel with a lightly greased (use Bore Butter) patch (on a brush) between shots. be sure to clean your muzzleloader after each days use. We never use any petroleum product inside the bore either, only a natural lubricant like Bore Butter or lard. I actually often use bear lard we render ourselves. MLs tend to rust/corrode easily. If it's an option, go with the stainless barrel too. Good luck!

-Runner

[swampdogz]

Well, Gander upped the prices on me by 50 bucks on the 24" omega. It wasnt stainless anyhow. (This is the second time in the last week they upped the price significantly after I Decided to buy. First with a walleye reel and now with the rifle. DOH!!!)

Anyhow, I found a stainless Omega 28" with the laminate stock for $469 at bass pro, and they have a layaway program so I think I'm going to buy that one for next year.
My uncle thinks I should buy the Thompson Hawken... "A MANS gun worthy of respect of the muzzleloading community" he says. (But I like the omega.)

In the mean time, my neighbor loaned me an old knight LK-II which I'm still trying to get used to and sighted in, and able to handle/load/unload/clean safely and efficiently. Hoping to go for a walk in the woods with it this evening if my next few shots fire ok and i'm able to clean/reload quickly.

I'm shooting 90 grains of triple seven with barnes 300 gr. 50 cal expanding bullet/sabots. (This rifle uses No. 11 magnum caps.)

[backwoodsman]

Just a word on the "magnum" caps. They've caused some problems with accuracy and fouling of the bore. In some guns they actualy "push" the charge fractions of an inch before the main charge ignites. If you are having accuracy problems I'd switch to standard caps and see how they do for you. Good Luck