muzzle loader pistol hunting
#201082
08/10/2019 2:15 AM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 118
Mr. Bisley
OP
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OP
member
Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 118 |
Just started last year hunting with a CVA Optima V-2 muzzle loader pistol topped with a Bushnell Trophy 2-6x.
Didn?t get a shot at a deer but still had a great hunt. The thrill of hunting with a pistol brought new life to my hunting spirit.
Do anyone her hunt with a muzzle loader pistol?
If so, what?s your favorite powder bullet combination?
Mine is 80 grains of Blackhorn 209 under a 385 grain Hornady Great Plains bullet.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Mr. Bisley]
#201083
08/10/2019 2:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209 |
I have the same gun and have killed six deer with it in the last four years. I am shooting 85 grains of BH behind a 240 grain TC cheap shot.
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: REDHAWK1954]
#201084
08/10/2019 2:18 AM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209 |
I have a Weaver 2.5 x 8 scope on mine.
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: REDHAWK1954]
#201086
08/10/2019 3:26 AM
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 118
Mr. Bisley
OP
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OP
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Joined: Jun 2019
Posts: 118 |
Have you chronographed your load?
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Mr. Bisley]
#201087
08/10/2019 3:57 AM
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Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920
billa
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 920 |
l use 80grains of Blackhorn 209 with a Hornady 44cal 240gr XTP in a green sabot. Full penetration on a Whitetail at about 40 yards. Considerable damage, broad side, double lung shot. The load is equivalent to a 44 mag revolver. I drilled my breech plug out for the Blackhorn 209 per the Blackhorn website info. and I use Federal magnum shotgun primers. The link to my old post is below. http://www.handgunhunt.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/ubb/showflat/Number/150922/page/1#Post150I
"Therefore go and make disciples of all nations,... " Matthew 28:19
Handgun hunter since 1979 - haven't used a rifle since! HHI member #992, NRA, SCI.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: billa]
#201088
08/10/2019 5:22 AM
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Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543
ruger4570
addict
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addict
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 543 |
I bought a CVA Optima for deer and then realized that I can't use it in goofy IL.
I recently put it on consignment at my LGS.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: ruger4570]
#201089
08/10/2019 9:48 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,332
Randy M
veteran
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veteran
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 1,332 |
Muzzleloaders are fun fun! Years ago I really got into ML rifles and loved it. I've been looking at ML revolvers lately thinking it would make for a fun 'up close' deer gun.
The meat won't fry if the lead don't fly.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Randy M]
#201090
08/10/2019 1:06 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209 |
My load above is getting just shy of 1600 fps. The bullet is 240 grains.
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: REDHAWK1954]
#201091
08/10/2019 1:29 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300
MS Hitman
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300 |
Been using a T/C Scout in .54 caliber for the past quarter century or so. My loads have settled from the insane to a more sedate 90 grain equivalent of Pyrex behind a patched round ball. Taken several head of game with it, and had it scoped at one time.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: MS Hitman]
#201094
08/10/2019 4:44 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 430
Craig44
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 430 |
Got one of the Optima pistols and while it's a great shooter, I can't bring myself to hunt with a stainless/synthetic modern monstrosity.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Craig44]
#201097
08/10/2019 5:45 PM
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Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209
REDHAWK1954
Pooh-Bah
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Pooh-Bah
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,209 |
Got one of the Optima pistols and while it's a great shooter, I can't bring myself to hunt with a stainless/synthetic modern monstrosity. I really enjoy mine.
Michael Joe Moore
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: REDHAWK1954]
#201107
08/11/2019 1:01 AM
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Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 129
RSW
member
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member
Joined: Dec 2018
Posts: 129 |
I bought one last year and put a red dot on it. I'm loading 100 grs. Of Pyrodex RS under a Federal Muzzleloading Trophy Copper 50cal. 270 gr. bullet. Used it in the early ML two day season and killed a doe. Didn't see one close enough in the late season. Trigger on mine is great and its so easy to clean! Oh yeah, I used regular shotgun primers.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Mr. Bisley]
#201110
08/11/2019 4:04 AM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155
Gregg Richter
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 4,155 |
Mr. Bisley, I have 2 loads for my 209X50 Encore pistol. First is 105 gr. Blackhorn behind a 295 gr. Blackbelt bullet. The other is 100 gr. Triple 7 pushing a 320 gr. T/C Maxi-Ball. Both loads have killed bull elk. One story is on the home page here .
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Gregg Richter]
#201111
08/11/2019 5:28 AM
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Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155
Bob Roach
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 1,155 |
I worked with mine quite a bit the first year I got it. I tried several different powders, and pellets. BlackHorn 209 is the cleanest powder by far. I picked up some Black MZ that I have not tried to date. Using Harvester Sabots, and 45 cal 250 grain Hornady bullets. The Optima is capable of 454 performance if you can enjoy that much recoil. Mine shoots very impressively. No problem with accuracy or power with the Optima.
Bob R
See You At The Range
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Bob Roach]
#201112
08/11/2019 1:17 PM
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Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300
MS Hitman
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 300 |
?if you can enjoy that much recoil?. Good stuff right there.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: MS Hitman]
#201114
08/11/2019 2:33 PM
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Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 779
Okie Hunter
old hand
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old hand
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 779 |
I have a 15 inch 209x50 TC Encore. Mine likes 100 grains of Triple 7 powder and a saboted 45 caliber 300 grain XTP. I've taken several deer and hogs with mine.
With God all things are possible. Matt.19:26
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Craig44]
#201115
08/11/2019 4:39 PM
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Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669
Chance Weldon
Distinguished Expert
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Distinguished Expert
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 4,669 |
I bought an Optima a few years back. While I haven't killed a deer with it yet, I'm confident with it out to about 150 yards. My preferred load is 80 grains of Blackhorn 209 pushing a 200 grain Barnes XPB (substituting a 200 grain Berry's plated HP for cheaper practice) in a Harvester Crush Rib sabot. This load produces about 1,550 fps velocity and sub-2" groups at 100 yards. Got one of the Optima pistols and while it's a great shooter, I can't bring myself to hunt with a stainless/synthetic modern monstrosity. Hard for me to complain when it gives me the ability to handgun hunt an extra two weeks before the regular season. Definitely a function over form factor.
Formerly TN Lone Wolf
"We are only as strong as we are united, as weak as we are divided." - J.K. Rowling
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Craig44]
#201144
08/12/2019 2:36 AM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 124
Midwesthunter11
member
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member
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 124 |
Wish they still made those. If I find one used I think I am going to buy one especially now that it is leagal to put scopes on muzzle loaders during season here in Minnesota.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Mr. Bisley]
#201235
08/17/2019 6:47 AM
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Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963
KRal
Shootist
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Shootist
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,963 |
I bought my son the CVA for Christmas two years ago and it's proved to be very accurate. He's shooting 100gr of pyrodex with a 45 Hornady XTP in a sabot and it shoots one ragged hole at 50 yards. He took this doe at 40 yards. I have a couple muzzleloader pistols I use. One is a 50 cal Thompson Center Scout. For whitetail I shoot 80gr of pyrodex with a 45 WFN cast and sabot. Took this ram at 73 yards. I also have a custom 50 cal barrel from OTT that is a tack driver. I use the same load combo mentioned above for whitetail. Here's a doe I took at 87 yards. I also have the more traditional muzzleloader pistol- Thompson Center Patriot. Although I've hunted a good bit with it, an opportunity hasn't presented itself yet. I also love shooting and hunting with my ROA cap and ball black powder revolver. Here's a ram I took at 20-30 yards. I was shooting 35gr of 777 and a 147gr round ball.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Chance Weldon]
#201275
08/18/2019 8:05 PM
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Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 430
Craig44
addict
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addict
Joined: Jan 2014
Posts: 430 |
Hard for me to complain when it gives me the ability to handgun hunt an extra two weeks before the regular season. Definitely a function over form factor.
That was my thinking when I got it but apparently I'd rather hunt with a traditional flintlock rifle than an inline pistol. Maybe I'll eventually see how it does with patched roundball, we'll see.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Craig44]
#201322
08/22/2019 2:11 PM
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Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 306
EricS
enthusiast
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enthusiast
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 306 |
I?ve got the optima as well. I?ve been shooting 90 grains of 777 under a 300 grain shockwave. Killed one buck with that combo. I may switch over to the BH 209 just to make range sessions easier but honestly I don?t practice with it that much. It?s just a really easy gun to shoot.
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Re: muzzle loader pistol hunting
[Re: Mr. Bisley]
#201409
08/24/2019 8:06 PM
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Joined: May 2004
Posts: 204
TCScout
member
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member
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 204 |
I have a TC Scout in .50. Have killed a few deer with it. Shoot 370 Maxi Ball and 70 grains FFG . I love hunting with it.
Post Tenabras Lux
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