I stopped by the gun shop for supplies and ended up with a new Thompson Center Omega, my main blackpowder gun is a Ultimate Firearm BP Express but it's heavy and thumps the bad neck a little to hard, while the Omega is a muck better gun for sneaking and hunting in heavy cover.

The Zeiss scope will also help in the low light pine forest that I do my winter hunting in.

Ignorance calling: What's the point of a muzzleloader? I honestly don't have a clue.

Blackpowder, you load it through the business end. Like a modern day Davey Crockett.

Ya, I understand the concept, but why in this day and age? I guess I could understand if it applied to the whole "recreate a bygone era" thing, but that gun looks just like any other modern weapon. I'm really not trying to be argumentative, but I'm largely ignorant about guns in general, and this particular branch of interest in specific.

IN LA muzzleloaders get an extended hunting season with the big plus in that being you're less likely to get shot by some numbskull who can't tell hunter orange from deer hair.

First special seasons(extended hunting), second they are permitted in shotgun only area's. Muzzleloaders are normally much more accurate than slug lobbing shotguns although modern sabot technology levels the playing field a bit.

Personally I prefer the muzzleloader for that one shot is all you got nostalgia. The huge report and a puff of black smoke makes the experience a bit more interesting. You diesel guys should be able to relate to that.

Thanks. Yes, I do feel an instant affinity, though I may just try to lodge a potato in my tailpipe for similar effect.

Haha, on a foggy day the smoke lingers forever, the only way you know you connected it the thwack or thud------I prefer twuuds over both.

Sheesh! A muzzle loader with a scope.
I have an old black powder pistol I made form a kit some 30 years ago, and a scope wouldn't do that thing a bit of good. Half the fun of it is just trying to hit something with it....anything! Wouldn't even think of trying to hit a moving target.

__________________
past MB rides:
'68 220D
'68 220D(another one)
'67 230
'84 SD
Current rides:
'06 Lexus RX330
'93 Ford F-250
'96 Corvette
'99 Polaris 700 RMK sled
2011 Polaris Assault
'86 Yamaha TT350(good 'ol thumper)

Can you use smokeless powder in a muzzleloader?

Don't think that would be wise......burn rates are different.

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
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Section 609 MVAC Certified
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"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

In PA and MD you can't use Semi-automatic riffles unless you are confined to a wheelchair, and then it has to be plugged to take no more than 3 rounds.....many places have restrictions that vary.

All muzzle loader rifles only get one shot.....adn reloads do take far more than 5 seconds.....accuracy?..................the old sharps rifle of the 1800's was legendary for its accuracy...........I think that was a muzzle loader, or was that a falling block breach loader rifle. Anyway, some of the old muzzle loaders were damed good.......as good as these new ones, which work on same principles only look modern.

Of course there is a big difference between a flint lock and a percussion cap rifle........

__________________
Proud owner of ....
1971 280SE W108
1979 300SD W116
1983 300D W123
1975 Ironhead Sportster chopper
1987 GMC 3/4 ton 4X4 Diesel
1989 Honda Civic (Heavily modified)
---------------------
Section 609 MVAC Certified
---------------------
"He who fights with monsters might take care lest he thereby become a monster. And if you gaze for long into an abyss, the abyss gazes also into you." - Friedrich Nietzsche

Looks pretty slick MM. Once my shoulder can take the impact I would like to run a couple hunks of lead through it. No idea what you're pushing, but with my .50 I was pushing 375 gr Maxi-balls with 110 gr of FFF. After 10 shots the cheek bone begins to bruise, don't ask how I know.

__________________
Mike Tangas
'73 280SEL 4.5 (9/72)- RIP
Only 8,173 units built from 5/71 thru 11/72

'02 CLK320 Cabriolet - wifey's mid-life crisis

2012 VW Jetta Sportwagon TDI...at least its a diesel

Non illegitemae carborundum.

Me likey

Just wondering...is it still legal to mail-order muzzleloaders?