Montana Muzzleloader

chav0_12

chav0_12

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Ronan MT
As the third year of the Montana Heritage Muzzleloader season is behind us, I'm still (for some reason) thinking that I might need to try this sometime or at the very least have the equipment around so that I can participate in this hunt if I wanted to. Montana has set the rules that it is percussion or flintlock only, I have an inline already but that's not legal. The problem that I have is that I know nothing (well, very little) about these traditional firearms. I know enough to know that a percussion cap ignition is more reliable and more simple than the flintlock, so that's what I've been looking at. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money on this entire setup, I'd probably like to keep it under $1k, and that would include the rifle and all of the things that I need to get to the range and start shooting. I've been looking at some muzzleloaders but I really don't know the good, bad, or ugly of the muzzleloader world. The Traditions Shedhorn seems right up my alley with a double set trigger, cerakoted parts, plus they also offer a "redi-pak" with some of the fixin's to get going.

I've done some research on loads and bullets, I've read through the user's manual for that rifle. The Heritage Muzzleloader season also requires the use of loose powder and all lead projectiles; no sabots, no plastic, no nothing. That being said the Pyrodex RS caught my eye as a powder that I would probably try with this rifle (whenever I get it). I found the Hornady Great Plains 385gr bullets, it looked like Hodgdon has some load data for those bullets with the RS powder. Does a standard #10 cap work with this, do I need a #11? Is working up a load for a traditional muzzleloader similar to working up a load for a centerfire metallic cartridge, I've only ever used the pellets in my inline?

I'm just trying to get myself educated and get the majority of my facts straight as I venture down this path and I know you all are a great source of information. Any additional resources, tips, recommendations that you all might be able to get me would be much appreciated.
 
Traditions Shenandoah assuming that's the Shedhorn you meant common mix up is a solid pick for a budget traditional percussion sidelock under $1k. It's got the double set triggers, Cerakote for weather resistance, and the Redi Pak bundles save hassle money on basics like powder measure, ball starter, etc. Many beginners and hunters on forums say it's reliable enough for casual use and heritage hunts like Montana's decent accuracy with patched round balls or conicals like your Hornady Great Plains 385gr, and it handles loose powder well.
Caps: It uses standard 11 percussion caps most Traditions sidelock rifles do for rifles; 10 are usually pistols. Stock up on 11s they're cheap and reliable.
Powder & loads: Pyrodex RS is fine and popular substitute 777 or Blackhorn if you want cleaner, but RS is classic. Hodgdon has data for the Great Plains bullets start low like 80-90gr RS and work up safely, just like centerfire but slower and with more fouling to clean. It's not identical to pellets; you'll measure loose powder each shot. Use a lubed patch or conical lube for conicals. No sabots allowed per Montana rules loose powder, pure lead only, no plastic gas checks.
 
chav0_12 said:
As the third year of the Montana Heritage Muzzleloader season is behind us, I'm still (for some reason) thinking that I might need to try this sometime or at the very least have the equipment around so that I can participate in this hunt if I wanted to. Montana has set the rules that it is percussion or flintlock only, I have an inline already but that's not legal. The problem that I have is that I know nothing (well, very little) about these traditional firearms. I know enough to know that a percussion cap ignition is more reliable and more simple than the flintlock, so that's what I've been looking at. I'm not looking to spend a ton of money on this entire setup, I'd probably like to keep it under $1k, and that would include the rifle and all of the things that I need to get to the range and start shooting. I've been looking at some muzzleloaders but I really don't know the good, bad, or ugly of the muzzleloader world. The Traditions Shedhorn seems right up my alley with a double set trigger, cerakoted parts, plus they also offer a "redi-pak" with some of the fixin's to get going.

I've done some research on loads and bullets, I've read through the user's manual for that rifle. The Heritage Muzzleloader season also requires the use of loose powder and all lead projectiles; no sabots, no plastic, no nothing. That being said the Pyrodex RS caught my eye as a powder that I would probably try with this rifle (whenever I get it). I found the Hornady Great Plains 385gr bullets, it looked like Hodgdon has some load data for those bullets with the RS powder. Does a standard #10 cap work with this, do I need a #11? Is working up a load for a traditional muzzleloader similar to working up a load for a centerfire metallic cartridge, I've only ever used the pellets in my inline?

I'm just trying to get myself educated and get the majority of my facts straight as I venture down this path and I know you all are a great source of information. Any additional resources, tips, recommendations that you all might be able to get me would be much appreciated.
Click to expand...
I, too, considered it. Like you, I do not have any experience in any muzzle loader. Except for gaining the experience and fun, "I" see no advantage for the season, unlike other states, for instance, NM unless they changed it, they use to have a season at the end of the rut.
 
FEENIX said:
I, too, considered it. Like you, I do not have any experience in any muzzle loader. Except for gaining the experience and fun, "I" see no advantage for the season, unlike other states, for instance, NM unless they changed it, they use to have a season at the end of the rut.
Click to expand...
Yeah, I don't see an advantage to it at all. But it does afford me a little more time to try instead of having tag soup. Sometimes I'm stupid and make it hard on myself during archery and sometimes even rifle. This would just give me the chance for that spike/cow at the end of the year.
 
My son and I have a traditions I think it is.Ill ask him, and a friend does to so we have one to share.We like it as a backup if no luck during regular.I mostly hunt for horns, but if its muzzle loader season its a meat game for me the.Ive had some fun hunts because I can get in some good country with me jeep and cut cat tracks too.Also mule deer are on winter range and Ive had some good stalks there.Ill tell you it wet and or snowy,we both had had several duds, and you want another cap for when it goes click! I shot a 4x4 whitey at 85 yrds and flatten round was on opposite side off shoulder at hide.My son even shot a doe with BP pistol Oh and we full house 100
 
You have a lot of options.Most muzzle-loading rifles will be accurate with the right powder and bullet combo.Try muzzleloading-bullets.com and muzzle-loaders.com .Tract of the wolf and Dixie gun works also.Good luck.
 
We hunted black powder on a farm with a long field in western Washington so the surrounding woods were a horrible tangled jungle so we would sit in a hollowed out first growth cedar stump and waite for the elk to show up. When they did often they would be from 200 to 350 yds away. I surmised that in regular rifles the common thought was that for long range we should shoot long for caliber bullets with higher twist barrels so I thought we could set up a muzzle loader that way and I was and still am shooting Highpower and back then all of our shooting was with iron sights so I was confident we could set up a muzzle loader and be able to hit well a target at 300 yds. So I still have my muzzle loader uncompleted but my buddy bought one like I thought would work from petersoli with a 1 in 20 or so twist barrel and tall sight so I borrowed it for the hunt one winter and there we were sitting in the stump and a bull with 10 or so cows pops up in the field and my buddy says shoot it but I wasn't smart enough to do my homework to know how much drop the rifle would have so I was reluctant to shoot as the bull was 210 yds away so I told him to blow his call and try to convince the bull to come closer. Unfortunately apparently he brought the elk repellant call because the bull went farther away. I remembered the bullet drop chart from my cast bullet Lyman book so the bull was 270 yds away and standing broadside and I laid down in the grass and aimed my best guess of 2 feet above his back and squeeezed the trigger as carefully as I could and thought I made a good shot but he ran off to the end of the field with no appearance of a hit and stood there. I told my buddy well I guess I missed then we put up the binoculars and when he breathed he blew out a red mist from both sides. So the 500gr 45 cal bullet went through both lungs and after a few moments he looked like he was drunk and tipped over. So anyway if I was to get a muzzle loader I would check on one like I am talking about but you should be smarter than I was and shoot it at the ranges you intend to hunt at and record your sight settings and most of the time blackpowder rifles are kind of fussy as to what makes them shoot well farther out so you have to figure them out
 
If you're not hunting the MT muzzy season you're missing out. I probably shouldn't be too loud about it, but it's probably the most enjoyable time I have spent in the woods chasing elk. Not very many people take the time to invest in the old school technology let alone get out of bed to go run around.

As far as weapon goes, I would strongly consider an older TC Renegade. They have a more modern stock design, no curved buttplate, a standard single trigger, sling studs and a 1:48T barrel, so you can shoot round balls and some conicals. With the right conditions a 200yd shot is very feasible, given the shooter does his part. It's one of the only reasons why I apply for B tags any more.
 
MT300WSM said:
If you're not hunting the MT muzzy season you're missing out. I probably shouldn't be too loud about it, but it's probably the most enjoyable time I have spent in the woods chasing elk. Not very many people take the time to invest in the old school technology let alone get out of bed to go run around.

As far as weapon goes, I would strongly consider an older TC Renegade. They have a more modern stock design, no curved buttplate, a standard single trigger, sling studs and a 1:48T barrel, so you can shoot round balls and some conicals. With the right conditions a 200yd shot is very feasible, given the shooter does his part. It's one of the only reasons why I apply for B tags any more.
Click to expand...
What caliber do you use?
 
Definitely start investigating what's available in your area. I bet there's a muzzleloader group near. Finding someone local to help you get started is always better. A used Thompson Center or CVA would be a lot less than you have budgeted. Traditions has new guns also in that price range. Stay with real black powder and avoid a lot of issues new shooters get into. I bet you will find it's a season you will enjoy once you have your equipment sorted out .
 

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