I May Need a New Muzzleloader

Shooting my Knight MK-85 at 100 yards to see if I can get some reasonable accuracy out of it. If I can't, it may be time to buy a new one. Muzzleloader deer season is coming up soon.

[@fredfeed4766]

I have exactly that gun, Its been my favorite hunting weapon for about 40 years. I shoot 100gr equivalent of triple 7 with a 260 nosler pistol bullet. I believe it has a .451 diameter. I use the hph12 black sabot. Moderately hard to load but usually 2 inch accuracy at 100 yards. I am not a great shot so some of it is me. I would run some jb bore paste in your barrel a few times and then clean the heck out it. I had to do this and it made a big difference. Good luck

[@thomasozminkowski2589]

One of the advantages of the in-line is being able to pull that breech plug in tge field.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

For sure! I’ve had to do it many times.

[@ianwolf9243]

Thank you for the video, very helpful! I inherited a MK-85 as well years ago and am now just testing it and trying to get the scope sighted. First go at it groups were not great. Hope to get it dialed in.

[@Frenchbroadcatman.]

Get the conversation kit to 209 primers different powder and bullet combo preferably a lighter bullet. I have a knight American with a vortex 3*9*40 with a bdc reticle and I can shoot 250 yards accurately with 100 grains of t7 and a 250 grain carnivore bullet. By the way my knight shoots it's best after the first shot try a fouled bore with more than a cap shot down the barrel

[@ditchdigger93]

Those are generally excellent bullets. Some of the best out there, but it pays to try others and see if it likes something else better. The old 250 grain SST sabot bullet load has been a great performer for me, but then my CVA's haven't been very picky about anything I've shot out of them. Even the Power belts shoot good out of them. (The 330 grain ELR's, excellent). You might want to go ahead and increase that powder charge also. Another twenty grains of powder might tighten up those groups a lot. Just have to shop around as see what that rifle likes. I don't think that minor pitting is your problem as much as your load.

[@timothydeyoung5653]

SST's are the way to go. I use them too. I would also use a 12 Ga. cleaning kit. The 209 primer kit works great too with pellets

[@cory8791]

Great vid!

[@chairzombie8378]

Experiment with different powder charges. Start at 90 and work your way up in 5 gr increments, maxing out at 120 (the MK 85 max charge).

[@matthewwhite3340]

If it has the original breech plug and nipple it might be worth getting new ones. They will wear out over time and become inconsistent.

[@sparkya1629]

It will shoot better with a 200 grain .40cal bullet and a harvester sabot and 90 grains of 777. You will be amazed!!

[@Duckhunterbow]

I’m having similar issues with my knight wolverine. 2 different scopes, 2 different sets of rings and bases, 4 different bullets, 2 kinds of powder and the best I can get is 4 inch groups. Looking at a CVA now.

[@ditchdigger93]

You'll never look back. I've got three CVA inlines, all shoot excellent and a LOT less hassle than those Knight rifles to clean and care for. My Wolf and Optima V2 LR have the quick removable breech plugs which is an excellent improvement and my old Hunterbolt Magnum is a bit more trouble with having to remove the bolt and take out the breech plug with a tool, but so accurate it's well worth the little bit of extra work to clean it. All three take the regular 209 shotgun primers and I seem to have my best results using the Tripple 7 Firestar pellets in mine, although they are accurate with other propellants as well.

[@bigpoppa101101]

CVAs are trash. Stop buying cheap muzzleloaders. Spend the money on a mountaineer or ultra lite.

[@Frenchbroadcatman.]

Ive never liked Hornady ammo of any kind. Its to hyped up and ive never had a gun that liked it

[@davidashcraft8259]

Can the barrel be replaced ?

[@mikedavis5217]

90 GRS with a 300 gr shock wave killed a bunch of deer my best is at 152yds

[@paulharveu526]

Just picked up my first muzzleloader this past weekend. CVA Wolf. Want to hunt in a primitive weapons WMA this year, and I don't have a decent vertical bow. They don't allow xbows, without a handicap sticker.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

They can be a lot of fun. I always enjoy getting them out, even though it's a lot of hassle and a lot of cleaning afterwards. What powder are you planning to use?

[@paulharveu526]

@@TheOutdoorGeneralist Pyrodex powder and triple 7 powder right now. I might look for real black powder and Blackhorn eventually.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

@@paulharveu526 nice. I’ve always used Black and have experimented with Pyrodex, but I’m switching to Blackhorn for my new muzzleloader. Stuff is crazy expensive though.

[@janisjake5350]

Clean the barrel every two or three shots

[@robertfarris7702]

Let me know if you want to sell it.

[@TheOutdoorGeneralist]

It was a gift from my dad, so I don’t plan to sell. Thanks for watching though!