Black Powder Hunting — Are You Ready to Step Up to a Front Stuffer?
Article first appeared at Cheaperthatdirt.com
This CVA rifle is optics ready. Our ancestors would be proud.
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No one is wrong as long as the procedure is safe and they respect the game. I have to admit that the first time I fired blackpowder many years ago, it was quite a thrill. The report just isn’t the same as smokeless, and the results are pretty amazing. I was already a handloader. I began handloading in my teens, so loading the Hawken wasn’t a challenge. In fact, I enjoyed working up light practice loads and full-power loads for serious use.
Blackpowder hunting is an advanced art. With the right gear, the process is enjoyable. Note the powder pellets.
When blackpowder hunting season comes, don’t groan; enjoy the challenge. Firing a tight three-shot group at 100 yards is challenging, but once you have the procedure down and have worked up a good load, repeatability isn’t difficult. There are many reasons for owning a muzzleloader. The challenge is one. The primary reason, I believe, is the ability to hunt during the special hunting seasons mandated by state agencies. Also, there is the challenge of working in close. After all, we have only one shot. No matter how accurate the rifle and how confident you have become with blackpowder in general, you always wish to work in close to have every advantage.
Muzzleloading season is never as crowded.
There are many hunters who feel their traditional rifles are the way to go and don’t think the modern inline muzzleloader fits the spirit of the game. I have friends on both sides and will steer clear of this, saying simply, “To each his own.” I use a variety of rifles and appreciate them all, from the scoped .30-06 to the lever-action .32-20. Just remember that back in the day, many traditional shooters did everything they could to develop superior sights and loading procedures, even riflescopes. They longed for advanced rifles, and it’s an even bet that they traded up as soon as the opportunity presented itself.
Just the same, I respect traditional and really like the Hawken rifle. I don’t think a person armed with an inline muzzleloader with the same single-shot as anyone else is going to affect my enjoyment of the game. When you are hunting, chances are you’re going to be in an area with about 1/3 to 1/4 as many hunters as when conventional rifles are about. That isn’t a problem for anyone.
The Hornady Great Plains bullet is consistent and accurate.
Getting It Right
It used to take a long time to load the rifle and get the accuracy right. It’s much easier with modern gear. Pellet-size powder, sabot slugs, and shotshell primers have changed the world. Debate spit or tallow patches all you want, but most of us don’t have the time to master traditional blackpowder loading, and we get along pretty good.
Shotshell primer ignition affords repeatability and excellent ignition, which are the brothers of accuracy. Sabots also give the shooter greater accuracy potential. By marrying the modern jacketed bullet to a sabot, accuracy is enhanced and fouling decreased. Plastic fouling, however, can be a problem.Clean the rifle every two to three shots when using sabots. The same problem can occur with a shotgun and plastic wads, although it is more pronounced with muzzleloading rifling. Clean after every shot for best shooting and accuracy.
I think 99 percent of blackpowder shooters are going to hunt with a muzzleloader because of the mandated season, but a few will for the challenge. The woods are more inviting when less crowded. When you purchase a muzzleloader, you are agreeing to accept the challenge, learn the necessary skills to make a clean kill on a fine game animal, and do the necessary study to ensure that you know what you are about.
Do you shoot smokepoles? What tips, tricks or stories can you share to show the enjoyment of hunting or just a day at the range with a muzzleloader?
Bob Campbell is a former peace officer and published author with over 40 years combined shooting and police and security experience. Bob holds a degree in Criminal Justice. Bob is the author of the books, The Handgun in Personal Defense, Holsters for Combat and Concealed Carry, The 1911 Automatic Pistol, The Gun Digest Book of Personal Protection and Home Defense, The Shooter’s Guide to the 1911, The Hunter and the Hunted, and The Complete Illustrated Manual of Handgun Skills. His latest book is Dealing with the Great Ammo Shortage. He is also a regular contributor to Gun Tests, American Gunsmith, Small Arms Review, Gun Digest, Concealed Carry Magazine, Knife World, Women and Guns, Handloader and other publications. Bob is well-known for his firearm testing.
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