Traditions Yukon Questions

[foss8]

Hey guys just picked up a Traditions Yukon ready pak on sale at Walmart and wanted to know what you think about the loads I should put through it. This will be me first year ML hunting so any help would be great. Also it came with a Traditions 4x32mm scope on it, you guys think that is enough or should I look for a 3x9. I have many more questions, but I wont pile them all in one post. Thanks

[Bowhunters]

Congratulations, I don't own one but i've heard that they are pretty good 'bang for the buck' in quality, I have read some complaints that the scope on that kit setup is the weak area of the deal as its very cheaply made and some have had issues getting the scope zero'd.

From what I understand the Traditions .50 muzzleloaders group very well with the Power Belt 295 grain bullets, seems to shoot them really well and it uses the '209' shotgun primers for ignition and very accurate out to around 125-150yds.

A fixed zoom scope is ok on a muzzleloader, a variable 3x9 is more of a necessity on a rifle that you can shoot 300-400+yds with but you won't be doing that with your muzzleloader so a fixed scope is fine but just read that some people were having issues with the scope that comes included with the Traditions in the kit.

If they also sell that muzzleloader without the scope i'd take that one back and swap it if possible or go buy a scope on your own and install it yourself.

[DocHolladay]

I would start with 90gr of loose powder and work up to no more than 120gr. Most ML's do well with 100gr of powder. As for the powerbelts, I dont like them. I havent seen a ML get good groups out of them. I would look into another brand that has the sabot seperate from the bullet. They will tend to do better, IMHO. 295gr are good, you will just have to experiment with powder charge and bullet weight.

As for a scope, I would lose the Traditions scope and look into a variable power like the 3-9 that you mentioned. A 3-9x40 would be just right. I wouldnt go any bigger on the objective than that, as you have to use higher mounts and that will bring your face up off the rifle. This doesnt allow you to get a good cheek to stock "weld". I like a variable scope on any rifle that I choose to put a scope on. It allows you to bring the target/game in closer which allows you to be more accurate. Ever try to sight a rifle in at 100yds with a 4x scope?? I have and it is VERY difficult to get good groups because you cant see the bullseye as well, because the crosshairs are covering it up. With a variable scope, you can get in closer and actually see the dot that you are aiming at instead of just trying to center your 4x scope on the target and hoping for the best.

[DouglasSpear]

I would start with 90gr of loose powder and work up to no more than 120gr. Most ML's do well with 100gr of powder. As for the powerbelts, I dont like them. I havent seen a ML get good groups out of them. I would look into another brand that has the sabot seperate from the bullet. They will tend to do better, IMHO. 295gr are good, you will just have to experiment with powder charge and bullet weight.

As for a scope, I would lose the Traditions scope and look into a variable power like the 3-9 that you mentioned. A 3-9x40 would be just right. I wouldnt go any bigger on the objective than that, as you have to use higher mounts and that will bring your face up off the rifle. This doesnt allow you to get a good cheek to stock "weld". I like a variable scope on any rifle that I choose to put a scope on. It allows you to bring the target/game in closer which allows you to be more accurate. Ever try to sight a rifle in at 100yds with a 4x scope?? I have and it is VERY difficult to get good groups because you cant see the bullseye as well, because the crosshairs are covering it up. With a variable scope, you can get in closer and actually see the dot that you are aiming at instead of just trying to center your 4x scope on the target and hoping for the best.

Agreed, 100%. Actually took the words out of my mouth. I use 100 loose grain Pyrodex in my Traditions Pursuit LT. I don't like the belts either. I get great grouping at 50-70 yards with iron sights (I don't use a scope on my muzzleloader). At 100 yards I am within an inch or two of the bullseye. Work your way up in grain segments of 10 until you get good grouping.

[oldzimm]

I must agree with DocHolladay and DouglasSpear, Power Belts are for the birds. I also have a Traditions Pursuit LT in 50 cal. and the Power Belt brand won't shoot worth a darn. I have been using Saber Tooth 250gr belted bullets backed by 100gr of 3F Triple 7 and they shoot fairly well.

[foss8]

Thanks for all the help. I was planing on using the pellets just because it is eaisier........you guys think the loose powder makes a big difference as long as I go w/ Pyrodex? I am going to try Horady XTP I think w/ 100 grains of Pryodex to start. What grain bullet should I get from Horady and is there a good scope I can get for under a 100 bucks. Thanks again and keep throwing the information at me.

[DocHolladay]

Thanks for all the help. I was planing on using the pellets just because it is eaisier........you guys think the loose powder makes a big difference as long as I go w/ Pyrodex? I am going to try Horady XTP I think w/ 100 grains of Pryodex to start. What grain bullet should I get from Horady and is there a good scope I can get for under a 100 bucks. Thanks again and keep throwing the information at me.

I like loose powder because you measure it yourself and get a more consistant weight. With pellets, they are about as consistant as the stock market right now. A buddy of mine weighed some and they varied from 46gr-51gr. That doesnt sit well with me. I weigh my own powder and if its wrong, it is my fault.

Pyrodex is good. If you choose to go with Triple 7(a pyrodex brand), I would go 10gr less than what you would shoot with "regular" pyrodex. It is a little hotter. I know that in my cap and ball rifle, I use 100gr of pyrodex and only 90gr of Triple 7 to et the same point of aim.

As for bullets, a 250gr saboted Hornady should do fine but that choice isnt up to me, the rifle will let you know.

The scope market is open. Simmons, Bushnell, BSA(not my first choice), Tasco, Barska..... I, personally, would look into Simmons or Bushnell for a $100 or less scope. IMO, I would spend at least $150 on a scope. You will get more out of it. By this I mean that you can see earlier and later in the morning and evening, which equates to earlier and later hunts. Better quality optics tend to bring in more light. I know that Walmart carries a VERY affordable Leupold scope.

[Bowhunters]

IMO you will be making a mistake if you feel you should go out and get a cheapo scope for $50-100 but I don't know your money situation so I would advise you to go to the Walmart website.

They have about three decent brands of scopes with good models under your $100 limit, Simmons, Barska and BSA where the three I saw with good user reviews and star ratings.

Just make sure you don't pick a scope that says its for air rifles or for like .22 squirrel rifles.

Personally a scope I would strongly consider is the Cabela's 'Powderhorn Muzzleloader Scope' - Item: IK-713116. It is $100 before shipping but it's a bargain in that its a scope made for muzzleloaders with a range sight reticle (similar to Nikon's BDC reticle), 3x10 variable power and it has a lifetime warranty.

You can go to the Cabela's site and use the Item # I provided to find it.

You can also do a search on 'BDC Reticle' to see what i'm talking about.

[Whitetail Assassin]

Well me and my son both shoot traditions pursuit muzzle loaders.Every muzzle loader will have a load it prefers best for accuracy.My sons gun with a 240gr xtp and 2 777 pellets(100gr). His gun will shoot great with 3 777 pellets and the 240.

My gun with a shock wave 250 gr. 2 777 pellets will shoot same bullet hole at 100 yards scoped.I can do same with traditions 250 gr pointed bullet.If i try a pistol bullet like xtp,speer ect. I have to have minum 300gr bullet to get it to shoot worth a darn.I have tried prodex loose powder with same results on pistol bullets with loads from 70gr to 120gr of loose powder.

I tried the easy slide 250gr shock waves it shot shot them so bad I would have been better trying to use buckshot and hit target.

My advice is pick several different style bullets.I would try some loose powder to find what load gun likes first.Then you could try the pellets.

If your looking for a better scope Walmart has a Nikon 3x9 shotgun scope for 99.84 I just bought it yesterday I haven't had a chance to get it on gun yet.
I guess it would decide on how far you plan on shooting with the gun if shoots are going to be 100 yards or less stay with scope you have.I you plan on shooting out to 250 to 300 yards go with nikon.

Power belts are not worth energy to throw in trash in my opinion.

[foss8]

Hey i went to Walmart and didnt find the 3x 9 shotgun scope, but did find a 4 x 32 nikon for only 99 $. Im thinking pretty hard on getting it. Was the shotgun scope you saw on sale?

[caiman]

i dont know much about the newer traditionals but ive got a tradition percussion that was bought for me when i was 12, 22yrs ago most relaible and accurate weapon ive ever fired(i spent several yrs in the 25th infatry as a saw gunner) back home in PA the rest of the group would get urinated when i shown up with that during a group hunt and there all carrying 3006, 308s etc, that rifle is a little small for me now but i still wont give it up and knock on wood i have yet to miss a deer with it, i hunted a couple yrs with a 3030 cant say the same, if there anything like what they used to be there damn good rifles,