Shooting a Black Powder Muzzleloader!

[@TerryLee04950]

14 years ago I took a nice moose, (just outside of Rampart Alaska ) with my 50 caliber inline black powder. Nothing smells better than black powder smoke and black coffee in the early morning.

[@johnqpublic2718]

How many grains of powder and projectile? How did the moose react?

[@TerryLee04950]

@@johnqpublic2718 It was a 75 yard shot. Placed in the v notch of his chest. Shook like he had Been stung by a 🐝 walked about 10 yards and dropped. 185 grain Hornady XTP, 85 grains of Pyrodex with cci 209 shotgun primer. I may have been cheating was sighted in appx three inches high at 25 yards with a four power red dot scope.

[@Bhartrampf]

I killed probably a dozen or more caribou, a few black bear and a dall sheep in Alaska with a hawken 50 cal, got a deer in Oregon and one in Montana last year. Montana is great, but I miss Alaska

[@TerryLee04950]

@@Bhartrampf I lived in Alaska 18 years. Back in Maine now. I miss Alaska every day. Health reasons ( cancer and cardiac surgery) ended my Alaska love. No more horse back hunts. Now at 72 all I can do jeep into an area and get out and sit close by.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

You forgot bacon frying lol.

[@jasonwebb4871]

My dad taught me to shoot with muzzle loaders. I had a little .38 squirrel rifle and we had a .50 and we’d deer hunt the black powder season in Iowa. Such great memories and a good way to work on your fundamentals. Flinches would throw you way off. I heard a podcast where a guy has a 1000 yard muzzle loader! Sure not the same. Thanks for all the great content and appreciate the nostalgia.

[@Greengeist05]

My state only allows primitive muzzleloaders for it's ml season, meaning only percussion caps, solid lead bullets (no sabot), iron sights, and loose powder. Built my own Traditions St.Louis Hawkens in 50 cal. From a kit (The learning curve was much bigger than I thought). Worked up a good load (80 gr pyrodex under hornady great plains bullet.) Cracked the stock in the process on the first 100 gr charge. Fixed it. Then threw on a peer and globe to maximize accuracy. Long story short, getting into black powder is really a labor of love.

[@troyandskyelar9588]

The way it should be :)

[@michaelsicowitz362]

Those Great Plains bullets were my favorites. Like you said, 80grs about right unless really cold, found this out early on here in Wis, don't need 100grs, don't all burn anyhow. Primitive or not, very effective and fun just to have learned how others hunted for centuries.

[@kesleycottrell1416]

I love black powder. In PA muzzleloader's are huge. We have a flintlock muzzleloader only deer season that starts after Christmas. It's my favorite time to go hunting. The city slickers don't like to go out for that season. My personal favorite is a .54 cal. Lyman Deerstalker. I use Power belt hollow point and 2F Triple 7 115 grains. Hammers deer very good.

[@frankspataro9714]

I use a junk traditions 50 with 75 or 85 grains of 3f 240 xtp or the powerbelt out of my rmc 50 cal flinter both hammer deer I absolutely love driving deer with good friends in the snow best there is here in PA

[@kesleycottrell1416]

Anymore I don't even go rifle hunting. I save my tags for flintlock season. What l have been doing is hunt where the food is. Basically do it like archery season. When it's cold they have to eat.

[@frankspataro9714]

Right on I take em how I can get em love driving but when nobody can go I love tracking em down and busting em in there beds in the snow or setting along cut corn in evenings if it's not wicked cold

[@kesleycottrell1416]

I like corn the best. I got an 9 point with 22 inch spread 3 years ago. Followed the doe right to the corn field. Love flintlock.

[@wiseguysoutdoors2954]

Amen, brother!! Nothing like slipping as silent as possible through the pines and hemlocks after a snow and sneaking up on a bedded deer.

[@sheltonheath9165]

I started hunting with TC muzzleloaders back in the 1970’s. My first one was a kit TC in 50 caliber. I now own 5 TC muzzleloaders, 2 in 54 cal.,2 in 50 cal., & 1 in 45 cal. Now at 67 yrs. old I have ordered fiber optic sights from Mid West Gun Works so I can get on target better than looking at the original brass front bead. Going to deer hunt here in NC this Fall with the new sights installed, one on the 54 cal.(my favorite), & one on the 50 cal. What a true American Pioneer experience I enjoy with my TCs. Have told my wife many times I was born 150-200 years too late ! Really enjoyed the video Ron as it has rekindled the fire in me to get out and enjoy muzzleloading very soon ! Thank You Sir !

[@49walker44]

Thanks Ron, been about as long for me as well. Brought back plenty of memories, used to take my boys on blackpowder only weekends and got them a 32cal squirrel rifle and an old 69cal pistol for rock chucks, $5 for every chuck. It was a flintlock so still have my 5. Great memories.

[@tickclan]

That's a beautiful stock on your Thompson. I enjoy muzzle loading. I bought a flintlock during the ammo shortage and very high prices. That is pretty much all I shot during that first year, it was cheaper and kept my skills up. By the way I've found shooting muzzle loaders helps me keep my marksman skills up and has helped shooting modern rifles due to all the things you mentioned that can and do go wrong. Thanks for the great video.

[@bradbo3]

I love my muzzleloader…..we have a late muzzle season here in NY…..and not a lot of guys or gals take advantage of it. Many times I have the woods to myself and my sons. I hunt bow, crossbow then rifle and finish off my season with muzzleloader….No i dont take a deer with all of them….but still being out in the woods is what I really love.

[@exothermal.sprocket]

Simply explained, concise, hit all the high points and made it understandable. Thanks Ron!

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Glad it was helpful! Thanks.

[@Everythingblackpowder]

Great video, Ron. Good to see you burning some black powder

[@Courier-Six]

That looks like my favorite Muzzleloader, the Thompson Center Renegade

[@doghousedon1]

Upland bird hunting and waterfowl hunting with a muzzle loader double shotgun is a knee slapping good time. You guys really miss out if you don't have one of those. They bring the thrill of black powder in ways muskets want to but fail at.

[@fudgepie1]

Thanks. Nice video. Taken more warthogs with my Lyman .54 Deerstalker than all my center fire rifles combined.

[@MrRufusjax]

Glad you made this Mr. Spomer. I didn't know anything about muzzleloaders even though I have several other guns. May have to get one, it looks like fun! Could be a nice project for the muzzleloading season.

[@WheelchairLiving1]

Was hit by a ricochet of a 50 caliber maxi-ball. Luckily at far enough distance it didn't have the energy to really tear things up. Did enough damage though and made it through but laid in my coveralls when it came out. Was back in the woods the next year but just have to enjoy it from a wheelchair. Love your channel. Always good info and you're extremely knowledgeable!

[@Mr_Fancypants]

That's to bad my friend. But consider yourself lucky. Any hit above your waiste can be the end of you.

[@kentgoldings]

It’s worth pointing out that increasing the caliber of the bore is about increasing the cross-sectional area not necessarily the mass of the bullet. A larger diameter bullet will obtain more energy from the same pressure. If everyone uses spherical bullets and there is a limit on the chamber pressure, it is a logical step. Nevertheless, nineteenth century woodsman could save lead by using bullets of smaller diameter. This is why you saw smaller caliber muzzleloaders with longer barrels.

[@michaelsicowitz362]

1993 I lost my prime rifle hunting place in NW Wis, had to find another. The answer was learn muzzle loading. Gander MT messed up and gave me a TC Renegade to make it right. Not bragging, but the range officer showed me the basics, my first shot, guys yells 'bullseye 9 o'clock' in front of a crowd that gathered to watch. Started learning things fast, like how weather affects powder loads, colder - more powder. I don't have failures, it's not the caps. always the powder behind the nipple. So glad to see you had T Center like mine, such a fine rifle, easy to learn. In-line isn't traditional, so rewarding to have learned old-school shooting.

[@dredelcottcryptozooligist4101]

My fave is my 54 tc renegade with a buffalo ball-et...sorta a half roundball/half conical...bought it off my neighbor some years ago with the original wooden ramrod and tc owner's manual. I sure do miss the old Thompson Center, Hawkins, renegades, Senecas...all just quality guns

[@russellkeeling4387]

You can still get them but they are very pricy.

[@bobboyer9440]

Ron, you have just made a video to compel people to purchase a modern black powder rifle. My thoughts on a modern black powder rifle is to save your money and purchase a regular rifle. Traditional black powder rifles, flintlock and percussion, are both fun to shoot and hunt with. Now for the cost of shooting. In Canada the cost of a box of 20 270 bullets is between $45 and $70 depending on the brand. That relates to $2.25 and $3.50 per shot. Not too many people can afford to go to the range every other week in order to practice and get proficient at shooting. Your modern black powder costs about $2.50 per shot if you factor in all the components. After the initial cost getting started with a true black powder you can reduce the cost of one shot from a black powder to less than 50 cents. Cast your own round ball, cut up an old t-shirt for a patch, reduce the volume of powder (you can get 350 shots out of a pound of BP if you load a practice shot with 20 grains of powder), for under $100.00 you can make 2,000 percussion caps. I am not talking hunting loads here, just target loads to improve your shooting. You can practice your trigger pull, your aim and your follow through, not to mention the flinch that you will overcome, in order to get better at shooting your your modern guns.

[@KeithMoore-zn1ob]

Nice looking Renegade. The first one I shot over 40 years ago , been hooked ever since!

[@shanehebert396]

I have a Hawken style .50cal that is pretty sweet. Mostly we use inlines, now, though, with scopes. Plenty accurate (couple inch shot group at 100yds). My uncle doesn't hesitate to shoot deer at 150yds with his.

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I’ve got one too. It’s plenty of gun and a pound of lead goes further.

[@chrisaerts6489]

I love my CVA Optima. 1.5 moa at 100 yards. I wanna try a 45 cal.

[@shanehebert396]

@@chrisaerts6489 we have .50cal inlines shooting .45cal sabots.

[@chrisaerts6489]

@@shanehebert396 yes I shoot sabots in my 50 cal. I'm looking at 45 cal bore with .4 cal bullets

[@chrisaerts6489]

@@shanehebert396 CVA 40 cal is really supposed to reach out and touch. That would be fun. I just start back with smoke poles. It's a blast. I'm trying to learn more than just 50 cal.

[@dansaver8247]

Good show and information. Thank you.

[@JanVanHoven]

I have a 54 muzzleloader. the one thing you did not mention was using a patch with the ball.

[@marklandwehr7604]

Ron would be interesting if you would explain the difference in how black powder makes power and the difference between Pyrodex and of course smokeless there's a whole bunch that can be said about that to explain the history and our understanding and how it's improved

[@VernonWallace]

Very good. Thank you

[@mott1992]

Premeasuring your charge by weight is more precise than volume, because by volume you can "pack" or "fluff" up the powder making it seem like you have more or less powder than actual. The best modern propellant is Blackhorn 209. It shoots nearly as clean as smokeless powder, non corrosive, and burns more efficiently than anything else on the market. Three swipes down the bore with a dry bore snake, and the bore is shiny and clean after a range session using Blackhorn 209. Of course this is very "modern" and restricted in some states for hunting purposes in order to preserve the "primitive" aspect of muzzleloading season. Keep in mind that not all black powder guns are made the same. A classic style black powder gun like Ron's should only be used with GOEX powder or any other true black powder. But the modern CVA Wolf he showcased is good to use with Blackhorn 209 as long as you have the proper breech plug installed and use the proper 209 primers (standard shotshell primers work excellent). I run Cheddite CX2000 209 shotshell primers with a Blackhorn 209 specific breech plug, Blackhorn 209 powder (77 grains by weight), and Hornady SST Low Drag 250 grain sabots in a CVA Optima V2 (.50 cal). My 100 yard groups are around 2 inches currently, which is adequate for black powder hunting. I'll fine tune the load using 70 grains of BH209 and 84 grains of BH209 to see if my groups tighten up. I've heard of people getting sub-MOA ( < 1 inch @ 100 yards) groups with a fine tuned charge. Every gun is different and will respond slightly different to different charges. Also keep in mind that a clean bore shoots differently than a fouled bore, so do two sets of groups: one 3-shot group cleaning between each shot, and one 3-shot group right after your first 3-shot group and DON"T clean between each shot. See how you gun handles a clean bore group vs. a fouled bore group. Wait 5-10 mins between each shot to allow the barrel to cool down. Shoot on a day with little wind and stay out of the sun to help your barrel stay cool.

[@moto_rad]

Excited!!! I love my TC Hawken!

[@dr.froghopper6711]

I love mine

[@antz6130]

Thank you Ron for another awesome video I love my muzzle loaders All Thompson Center 1 .54 Renegade 2 .50 Renegade 3 .54 Hawken FFF .90 grain patch n ball Built like tanks ! Hoot too shoot 💥

[@Grain_side_carving]

Real black powder or one of the substitutes?

[@OntarioBearHunter]

We've got 20 CVAs sitting on the shelf..normally we sell out this time of year .. but can't get caps or powder.

[@georgesakellaropoulos8162]

The longest shot I attempted with my Thompson Center .50 caliber Hawken replica was 140 yards. 90 grains of FF GOEX behind a 370 grain maxi ball. I held on top of the deer's back and took out the bottom of it's heart. The gun was sighted 3 1/2 inches high at 70 yards and shot 2 inch groups at that range.

[@wiseguysoutdoors2954]

I've killed well over a dozen whitetail with my Lyman.50 cal Flintlock. Set for a 6 o'clock hold at 75 yds, here in PA. Most shots are 40 - 80 yds here. 100 - 125 yds, just hold a tad higher and it's in there. I swear by the old LEE REAL BULLETS with a wool wonderwad glued on the back. Lubed with 1,000+ bore butter, you swab the bore with each loading, the engrave the rifling at loading and they are accurate, hit hard and load, time after time with constant thumb pressure on the ramrod.

[@clintonlayne9253]

Ron some of my most enjoyable hunts were with a CVA Apollo in line Muzzleloader. I then went to a Traditions 1 to 66 twist patched Round balls. The challenges of getting close the weather conditions and the history . Makes a enjoyable hunt.

[@howardmcadams3852]

Thanks Ron for sharing this information with us

[@oncall21]

If you've been into guns and hunting for enough years you will eventually want to own and hunt with a muzzle loader. It's like only owning and hunting with bolt actions and then moving to a lever action but a whole lot more fun! Thanks for sharing Ron.

[@timothyrothrock4173]

My state has a black powder season in the fall for deer. You can actually use anything from inline to matchlock. After Christmas we have a flintlock only season. Love the period correct black powder long guns.

[@joshp2542]

In PA we have the same. I use a Thompson center hawken flintlock in .54 for both seasons. In the fall it's only antlerless but late December it's buck or doe.

[@timothyrothrock4173]

@@joshp2542 I started with Thompsons kit I got for Christmas. Still have it Still shoot it. Don't want to deny it. I have two period correct flintlock.

[@joshp2542]

@@timothyrothrock4173 I bought mine at my local gun shop a few months ago. It was made in the 80s I think but it's a great firearm... Well technically not a firearm but you know what I mean. It just requires a deep cleaning unlike my modern guns. Even with one shot it will rust away lol if I don't clean it that day.

[@davidandrews4194]

Thank you I thoroughly enjoyed it

[@pjsurfer25]

I just acquired my Grand Fathers 50 cal Thompson Center. I had a good idea on how to shoot it but you just confirmed it. You have motivated me to take it on down to the range. Awesome video, super informative as always. Thank You.

[@mattevans-koch9353]

Well done Ron. I had both a replica Remington army in .45 caliber and a CVA .50 caliber Hawken style rifle many years ago. While I enjoyed shooting modern rifles and cartridges, I had more fun hunting jack rabbits with my two black powder firearms than any other way. Never got many rabbits but boy did I have fun and it was relaxing to boot. Take care and have a good week ahead.

[@Grain_side_carving]

That does sound like fun I've wanted to hunt squirrels with my Hawken but i figure there wouldn't be any meat left since it is a .50

[@308dad8]

CVA Wolf is a great muzzleloader Ron. Can get pretty accurate with it if you find bullets it likes it’s a lot of fun

[@galenhisler396]

I have a few smoke poles including a flintlock from tvm in 54 and a kit coming in 58 from jim kibler they are alot of fun 🤠

[@Grain_side_carving]

A friend of mine has a .75 matchlock

[@slingshotwarrrior8105]

Awesome black powder rifle! And history, but you forgot the predecessor of the rifle and musket. That's the crossbow and speaking of crossbows! Have you seen my recent video? Crossbow Saturday

[@clayed3311]

Just getting into muzzleloaders. Nice tutorial.

[@ParkerHale06]

Well made and interesting Ron , thank you.

[@RandRmasonryLLC]

Thanks Ron

[@Sebdafishgod]

Do an educational video on the newer inline muzzle loaders. Always wanted to try it. Great channel, every topic is highly informative!

[@bcallahan3806]

Absolutely. I've taken. Several deer with them. As urban sprawl expands. Many places are restricted to shotgun or muzzle loaders as Ron stated. New inlines are phenomenal. New powders, guns and sabots improve performance immensely. You still have to play and practice with powder loads and sabots. Every gun is a little different. Just because it's capable of taking 150 grains or more powder doesn't mean that's what you use. 100 or 125 may give you much greater accuracy and performance. A cannon is useless if you can't hit anything with it. Be prepared to spend a little time experimenting. Find out what load works best in your muzzleloader. And bring a cleaning kit and patience. It's barrel cool. It's one shot. Not minute men of the revolutionary war. So base your accuracy off how you would take it out hunting. Hopefully clean and freshly loaded and cool. But I've comfortably taken deer at 150+ yards With a Wal-Mart 120 dollar muzzleloader. Being comfortable, confident with your gun is key.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

KEEP YOUR POWER DRY.....Thanks Ron.....l first started shooting black power back in the late 1950's ans it is a lot of fun.....Shoe🇺🇸

[@buddywaters9427]

I bought a TC Renagade 54 cal. Around the late 1970 I hunted in mostly central Florida management areas and took around a dozen bucks in about 10 years didn’t hunt with it for at least 30 years was hunting on a Georgia lease and I went with some of the guys thy were bow hunting in black powder season so I shot my Renagade and it grouped great at 75 yards. Well as luck would have I took a really good 8 pt. 205 lbs. that 54 pokes a hole and he didn’t go 50 yds

[@donkeller2489]

Ron I have watched you youtube program for sometime. As a gunsmith I am very interested in what you have to say and I agree with you about 95% of the time. You said Black powder rifles are limited to about 19000 psi in chamber pressure in one of your podcast. That is simply no true, I can duplicate about any velocity of any moder cartridge with black powder. Black powder is capable of 157000 psi chamber pressure under Certain surcumstances. Most black powder rifles are basically strait wall chamber, but what if you expand the chamber above the bullet diameter. It is basically pounds per square in. As the chamber gets larger and bullet gets smaller the chamber pressure goes up. I have pushed a 32 cal. Round ball at in excess of 3000 fps by increasing the chamber diameter. This system is not used commercially because some idiot would not fill the chamber, seat the bullet on a void and blow his damn self up. That doesn't mean it can't be done. Don't cut black powder short, other than being bad dirty, it is a great propellent

[@Bayan1905]

When I first got into hunting with a muzzleloader, our state was primitive guns only, so I started using my Grandfather's CVA Kentucky Rifle in .45 that he killed several deer with. Over the years the state has allowed everything under the sun, but I have never gotten into inline or modern guns. I killed deer with a .58 Enfield musketoon, an artillery carbine version of the full length musket used during the Civil War. I hunt with flintlocks, mostly percussion guns and today's modern black powder, well, I can get some 7-8 shots at least now before running a patch down it. I'm not talking a substitute, I'm talking Goex FFG black powder. I do use Triple 7 in my percussion guns, it won't work in flintlocks. One thing though, I can get flints where I am to use, what you can't find, beg borrow or steal are #11 caps or 209 primers and I haven't seen any in at least 6 months. Those new firesticks, no one has them. So with that primitive tech, I can go hunting with my muzzleloader if I had to while so many have no way to shoot those new, modern guns. Trust me, a patched roundball out of a .50 muzzleloader placed on target at a reasonable distance, say 150 yards and under, will kill any deer walking. If you want to hunt with a sidelock gun, don't let anyone tell you that they aren't effective.

[@shawnwells5719]

Bought the same rifle in 1996 - T/C Renegade 54 caliber. Installed a tang peep sight. Loaded with 120 grains of Pyrodex RS and a 435 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet, it is a formidable short range weapon. Unfortunately, Hornady discontinued the 54 caliber GP a while back.

[@georgechord5376]

Hey Ron, I shoot a 54 cal. T.C. Renegade exactly like that. It's the first time I have ever seen someone demonstrate one of my guns. I use 435 grain Maxi balls and Pyrodex. Mostly use it for targets but I have hunted with it. Muzzle loading is great fun if you're not in a hurry and want a bit of the old time smoke in your face shooting experience.

[@sha6mm]

I have the same gun as well and went with the .54 in case I have the chance to hunt Elk with it someday. I have used it on Deer successfully with patched round ball. I would like a peep sight for mine but they are very expensive on Ebay.

[@russellkeeling4387]

I've done some hunting with muzzle loading rifles. I've owned a number of them but none were flint locks. Since biden has been president and components have become so difficult to get I learned to make my own gun powder. I make my own charcoal and buy the sulfer and potassium nitrate. A real surprise to me was how clean it burns and I am able to fire many more rounds before I have to clean compared to the new non-black powders. My best powder to date is about 20% less dense than Goex black powder so I have to load 20% more to get the same fps. I can now have however much powder I want. I do use it mostly in an in line just because of the hotter shotgun primer but I have used it in all my muzzle loaders and I have loaded it in .38 special cartridges.

[@imperialwhovian3461]

Great video! I love my 54 cal pedersoli, it’s even better casting casting your own bullets and seeing the pretty good accuracy you can get from them

[@danielc.2042]

I have a CVA Optima and I love it.

[@Prairie7777]

One thing that needs to be emphasised is, you have got to be sure the bullet is firmly seated against the powder. My son had an incident where the bullet wasn't seated against the powder. The gun blew up and he lost his pinkie finger from the explosion. Very vital to make sure of that.

[@Newman1222]

Love muzzle loader hunting just got a traditions pursuit with vapr twist amazing accuracy with lead ball sabot and power belts think twist is 1/24 fun to shoot and watch that smoke cloud

[@shadowcastre]

I do enjoy my muzzleloaders! FYI.... Loading black powder by volume is a big misconception that keeps getting passed around. There is no such measurement of grains by volume!. Black powder has Always been and still is today measured in grains which is a measurement of weight. The term you are looking for is "Volume Equivalent "! Weigh out the charge of real black powder (1f 2f,3f or 4f) that you want. Then make/buy a dipper/measurer that will repeatedly throw that weight charge of that particular powder. You now have a "volume equivalent" powder measurer. This same dipper/measurer will then cross over to black powder substitutes. The problem with commercial bp measures is that there is no standardization. It may say it throws 100 grains.. but of what? 1f, 2f. 3f.. and of what brand? It does make a difference. The pressures & performance will be different for each. Thanks for the video...

[@toddk1377]

It's been a long time since I've used a muzzleloader. Honestly, they are fun, but it's not something I really miss. In MI, in certain areas, they have allowed hunters to use center-fire firearms during muzzleloader season. I was shocked when I learned that, but I was glad so I was able to use my 30-30 a little longer.

[@coyotewisconsin6432]

I got into muzzle loading from the extra gun season here, with an inline. Many years ago my dad and I ran out to Cabelas to pick up some black powder guns for the post gun season hunt. Now its normal for me. I'm thinking I should take out my Hawkins for a run this year!!

[@bcallahan3806]

As always a great informative video. Bless you.

[@blackpowderfirearmenthusia3194]

Love your Thompson Center rifle.

[@chrissheathewoodguy]

I personaly love using my black powder guns. knocks they right down. i have a cva optima 2 that i shoot a nice 10 point @ 295 yards mag load of white hots poweder pellots. 229 grain federal. he only went about 10 yards. most shot are under 200 yards but long shots are makable.

[@coreymerrill3257]

Actually ,they rarely drilled their bores , they had a mandrel and formed iron and later steel ,around it ,forge welding the seem. Damascus barrels were strips of iron or steel forge welded around the mandrel. It can also be done in a fuller with a dull chisel or round nose punch ., but that's much slower and trickier to get right.

[@wildman2894]

i still love my .45 cal, for deer had a ,50 traded for my .45 shoots flatter .

[@iamnotpaulavery]

And Ron has more veins in his forearms than 3 men combined!

[@tlloyd9325]

The older I get the older my guns get. I just wish my eyesight was better. Love the old big bores! Just acquired a T/C Hawken in 45 cal and really looking forward to shooting and hunting with it.

[@waylonlegend4603]

I’d like to see a flintlock

[@therackmantm7453]

3:35 , is it just me or does Ron Spomers arms look super jacked lol

[@andersonsprairieviewfarm2552]

I absolutely love my .50 caliber it's fun you need to use your skills, plus it perfect for deer, just a nice clean large hole through and through, without destroying much surrounding tissues, and a blood trail Stevie Wonder could fallow, and it will be a short trail if at all, if properly placed, thanks for sharing Ron..

[@jonleonard8883]

Something I've noticed is that set triggers are no longer set triggers, you have to set it to be able to fire

[@rogerfrench1777]

My Thompson Center Hawken .50 flintlock was dead on accurate at 200 yards, consistently.

[@PC-uh6hk]

I had a TC Renegade in 50cal. I took nice deer with it in New Hampshire.

[@danielcurtis8746]

Ive been looking for reputable companies that have the number 11 percussion caps but it seems like Noone carries them lately. My first 50 cal black powder and can't shoot it haha! Great video as always Mr Ron 👍

[@Tradhunter]

Awesome.

[@wayneblair288]

Love my H&R HUNTSMAN. LOVE MY Flints too. Lot of fun.

[@jamesparlane9289]

Ever had a moose complain about being shot with a muzzle loader with a big ol' lead bullet and black powder? When they get to the Pearly Gates they get special entry.

[@BB9.3x64mm]

Should give a 4 bore my gunsmith makes here in South Africa a try Ron!

[@desmondblack6367]

Use to hunt deer with my .50 Kentucky cap when I was a teen.. casted my own balls and got good enough to drop deer at 100 yards. was considering going back this year, Im gonna take this as a sign lol thank you.

[@oubliette862]

good stuff I voted on that survey. I think bp guns are cool. actually, I like pretty much all firearms really. there's nothing I wouldn't shoot at least twice, given the opportunity.

[@mikeinlutz]

Ron, I shoot smokeless MZ, using rifle powder and my 45 cal I shoot 65 grains of N120 under a 40 caliber bullet and easily make 2800 fps. No smoke and my charge is weighed

[@blackpressurecartridgesolu9028]

I shoot Low-Pressure Smokeless Loads in my modern 209 Inline 50 Caliber rifles. They produce the same pressures as the approved loads of BH209. Low Pressure 50 Caliber Smokeless Loads in a 209 Factory Muzzleloader, 2 DVD set | eBay These 2 DVDs contain a demonstration of using Low Pressure Smokeless Loads in a 50 caliber factory muzzleloader.

[@rjcoady21]

Got my first elk last year with a inline .50

[@HugoSixx]

Hi, would there be any problem if I load a rifle with black powder that burns a little slow? I did a test burn on a board and 30 grains burns it in about 1 second. Thanks

[@guildig1]

I just went shooting this Sunday and I shot my Thompson 54 caliber muzzleloader. Because it takes so long to load I only fired it 4 times. When my father in law past away he left me the 54 caliber and a 50 cal muzzleloader. The 50 cal was so dirty it took me one hour to clean it enough to make it safe to shoot. The previous owner left a cork in the barrel during long years of storage. I love both of them. I can not get any info on these rifles. My 54 caliber is just like yours can you shoot miniball out of it.

[@Grain_side_carving]

I'm not sure about miniballs but it is generally true that conical bullets prefer 1:48" twist barrels while roundballs tend to prefer 1:66" barrels so I'd suggest finding out what it is and shooting that although you can swap them apparently if you shoot round balls out of a 1:48" they tend to fly nice and straight for something like 70-80 yards then veer wildly off course but they fly straighter for longer out of a 1:66"

[@franberman5413]

That Hawken kicked you like a mule. How many grains did you put in? Had to have been at least 100. I shoot 60-80 grains (pyrodex FFFG) for my .50 and .58 and I've never had recoil that was that strong

[@dredelcottcryptozooligist4101]

The great thing about muzzloading rifles is when you neglect to clean them they magically become smooth bore muskets

[@Grain_side_carving]

You are physically hurting me

[@TheDespairbear]

Speaking of new hunters, I would love to see a hunting 101 video.

[@theol3199]

Big fan of 50 cal patched round balls, loaded properly, sized right, and with a proper twist barrel you can get really good accuracy out of an ole smoke pole. Best 5 shot group I’ve shot is a 1.5” group at 100, I consider that very very acceptable for my custom hawken.

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

1.5 at 100 with a .50 HAWKEN?? Jeez!

[@theol3199]

@@pacificcoastpiper3949 .490 ball .015 patch, sprue- the casting mark straight up. seated with a range rod, I think 72 grains of pyrodex select was the magic number. Green mountain 1:60 barrel, and a real nice set trigger. No cleaning between shots- it stays relatively clean, for up to 20 shots. I messed with it for a while, used to pound 110 grain loads through it but the lighter load definitely made the gun a good shooter.

[@pacificcoastpiper3949]

@@theol3199 very impressive

[@Grain_side_carving]

@@theol3199 1:60? I haven't seen that before my rifle is a 1:66 it does pretty good although i haven't gotten to shoot at a deer yet

[@theol3199]

@@Grain_side_carving you are correct, it is 1:66, not 1:60.

[@cameronjohnson6838]

I think Ron has been hitting the gym

[@lthorsemanship8150]

The trick to fouling is keeping it soft

[@daveodo4315]

I shot my biggest black bear with a TCR big bore 58 with my own cast bullet. It was a great hunt and the bear provided many delicious meals.

[@lambertsaldi1550]

Hey Ron check out Woodsman Arms Mussy!

[@ikantspelkrap]

HEY RON.......i have a .53 caliber mold and over a ton of lead at my shop......let me know if you need any....i hate to see you shooting those .50 [or did you mean .49.LOL].........i have a re-enactor friend that never shot his .58 muslet.....it shot fine with my .53 and old denim for a thicker patch

[@allthingsconsidered3211]

“Everything black powder” even shoots a 30-06 in bp. Faster fps than u said!

[@DymondzTrucking1962]

I love black powders I got three revolvers and four rifles a 45 a 50 a 58 and a 69.

[@matthewlyness8161]

I hunt with a flintlock it's soo much fun!!!

[@chrisaerts6489]

Ron how about compare 45 cal to 50 cal. Is Black horn 209 powder worth it??

[@roycolglazier1061]

Having avidly shot M/L firearms since the mid-1960s, I tried every GOEX alternative, in turn, for a number of years, then in a happy turn of events I bought my 1st container of "777" and never looked back! I highly suggest that you do likewise! Not only is it my propellant of choice in my most modern m/l, a TC Encore, it loads .32 & .38 spl handguns, 45-70 rifles, and whatever else I care to experiment with... Again, highly recommended!

[@chrisaerts6489]

@@roycolglazier1061 Im using 777 now with good groups. I just like to learn more. Thanks Roy

[@chrisaerts6489]

@@roycolglazier1061 Right now in WI were limited on powder. Shipping kills a guy with cost. I have 3 boxes of pellets in 777. I couldn't get loose powder. I finally got more 209 primers.

[@jasonburns4220]

Ron when we voted on the poll between black powder and 264 win mag it was bittersweet to see black powder winning i want to see both but i would really appreciate it if you could still get around to doing the 264 video there is so little content and I have many questions that I believe you would answer in the video thanks man

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

264 vid is on the way.

[@roycolglazier1061]

Ron, as an AVID shooter of blackpowder arms, spanning a career from the mid-1960s to just recent times when I was forced by health issues to divest myself of firearms, I'm happy to re-assure you that your ONLY error was the inconsequential selection of a grossly undersized projectile! All alse was correct in every regard! I'd only suggest that you re-procure the necessary, and take that handsome TC afield! Hint: I found "powerbelt" bullets to be very effective, taking a multitude of South AR whitetails with a Browning Hawken, then an Encore in-line, over many seasons! The Luepold mounted Encore was so efficient that I frequently took it during "modern gun" hunts, especiall when feral hogs were expected...

[@RonSpomerOutdoors]

Thanks Roy. I searched, but could not find a 54-cal. bullet anywhere on the place.

[@roycolglazier1061]

Color ME embarrassed to tears & sorry! I assumed..., my bad! When I shot a .54 years ago, it was patched round balls only! My .58 needs were via a Lyman Minie mould, and there it ended! Anyhow, a quick search @Dixie Gun Works shows: BT0366 PowerBelt Bullets - .54 Caliber (348 Grain - Aero Tip) $29.95 COMPARE Best O' luck Ron, really enjoy your channel!!!

[@charlier3647]

Need to do a ballistic video on muzzleloaders.