Mussleloaders

[Phil Lilley]

I've never owned one.  But I'm in the market.

Any suggestions?  Favorites?

Thanks

[nomolites]

I have an in-line, TC Pro Hunter, and it shoots as well as any rifle I own.  I would recommend an in-line, there are many good ones out there, use a sabot and high quality pistol bullet like an XTP and I prefer loose powder over pellets so you can adjust as required to improve accuracy although pellets are easier.

Mike

[tjm]

Do you just want to extend the deer season or do you want the black powder experience?

[Phil Lilley]

16 minutes ago, tjm said:

Do you just want to extend the deer season or do you want the black powder experience?

A little of both... but I did not get a deer last week so...  

I'll have to start a new topic and share my big buck stories.

[tjm]

I always associate black powder with side locks and underhammers, percussion caps and flint, muzzle loader has lately come to be associated with modern inline, shotgun primer and pellet loads. I have zero knowledge of inlines, except they are legal and you can buy them and the substitute powder at Bass Pro. And that there are many sales people that don't know the difference between black powder and a substitute.

Black powder, Goex is my powder of  choice,  (hard to find locally and not sold at any big stores- they only sell substitutes)

Mexico, Mo. https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3501 

Clarksville, Ar. https://powderinc.com/black-powder/

Davide Pedersoli, Lyman, Aldo Uberti  all make quality replica black powder guns  (probably any of the Italian makers do, but some I haven't seen) Thompson Center used to make good percussion rifles but they don't list them on their site at present, my rifles are T/C Hawken a .50 and a .54- the .50 is easier  to carry, easier to shoot and uses less powder and less lead than the .54, but I still like the .54 better. I have owned CVA and Traditions units that were more cheaply made but functioned fine. Mechanically there's probably not a great difference from brand to brand, price is based on grade of wood and finish, my Traditions revolver was made by Pedersoli.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Category.aspx/485

http://www.longrifles-pr.com/index.shtml

https://taylorsfirearms.com/long-guns/blackpowder-rifles.html

 

[Phil Lilley]

1 hour ago, tjm said:

I always associate black powder with side locks and underhammers, percussion caps and flint, muzzle loader has lately come to be associated with modern inline, shotgun primer and pellet loads. I have zero knowledge of inlines, except they are legal and you can buy them and the substitute powder at Bass Pro. And that there are many sales people that don't know the difference between black powder and a substitute.

Black powder, Goex is my powder of  choice,  (hard to find locally and not sold at any big stores- they only sell substitutes)

Mexico, Mo. https://www.grafs.com/retail/catalog/category/categoryId/3501 

Clarksville, Ar. https://powderinc.com/black-powder/

Davide Pedersoli, Lyman, Aldo Uberti  all make quality replica black powder guns  (probably any of the Italian makers do, but some I haven't seen) Thompson Center used to make good percussion rifles but they don't list them on their site at present, my rifles are T/C Hawken a .50 and a .54- the .50 is easier  to carry, easier to shoot and uses less powder and less lead than the .54, but I still like the .54 better. I have owned CVA and Traditions units that were more cheaply made but functioned fine. Mechanically there's probably not a great difference from brand to brand, price is based on grade of wood and finish, my Traditions revolver was made by Pedersoli.

https://www.dixiegunworks.com/

https://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Category.aspx/485

http://www.longrifles-pr.com/index.shtml

https://taylorsfirearms.com/long-guns/blackpowder-rifles.html

 

Great info - many thanks!

[jdmidwest]

Inlines are nice, fool proof single shot rifles.  I like Traditions rifles and pistol, I have several ranging from percussion sidelocks to inlines that use shotgun primers.

I stick with the loose powders and get better accuracy than pellets.  I like the Hogdon Triple 7.  My sidelocks use Goex loose powders.

I started shooting the smoke poles as a kid and learned on a TC Hawken 45 Cal.  He had a Ruger Single Action pistol in 44 cal that was fun to play with.

You have to care more for the guns if you use traditional powder like the Goex, it is corrosive.  Triple 7 is sugar base and not as corrosive.

I don't shoot them like I used to before the surgeries.  My shoulder does not like the punishment.  I may find a 36 cal this summer to play with on smaller game and targets.  Its alot of fun and gives you a few extra weeks to hunt.  I have resorted to the other alternatives, AR pistol or handguns to fill my tags.

[Seth]

The CVA Accura is a great inline. Pair it up with 250gr Hornady SST and 2 or 3 triple 7 pellets and go hunting! We have no issues getting 1-1.5" groups at 100 yards with ours using that load. They say you can get more accurate with loose powder, but I wonder if it's really worth the hassle since the pellets are already pretty darn accurate. Our regular deer rifles don't shoot much better groups than that at 100 yards. Dad has the Accura. Mine is actually a CVA Optima, but it shoots great as well using the same loads. 

I was only able to fill one antlerless tag during rifle season so I will be out with the inline in a month trying to fill another and looking for one of those mature late seaon bucks.

[Mitch f]

Where’s @ness? A spelling protocol has been violated!

[jdmidwest]

I misread the post.  I guess Phil is looking to hunt Mussels.  I don't think you need a rifle, just a keg of black powder and a fuse.