So I've had this for a bit now (got from a fellow member)but not got to shoot yet. Just put the leupold 2x on today and hoping to test fire on fri. Its a 50 cal tradition buckhunter, uses #11 caps. Anyone else shooting one of these? Any specific load data, I got some 350 gr (I think) FPB Hornady-on sale rack so well see what those do.

I am guessing that you will use some sort of Black Powder substitute? I think I would start off with about a 25 grain equivelent dose of Powder or Pellets, and start working up about 5 grains at a time. I would work up and not start with a maximum load. At some point I would think recoil should start to get serious in this package with a 350 grain bullet. By working up to that point you will be able to tell pretty much what you can handle.

Lam,

I don't have a traditions in that form, have a Traditions Flintlock and Percussion, also have a T/C Scout in 50 caliber.

Doc

That's the best lookin' one of them I've seen. Agree with not getting carried away with macho load at first, fifty grains might be all that short tube can eat. Looks like fun.

Dirt burning, smoke belching, ball throwing FUN!!!!

Keep us posted.

I like it!!

Do they still make those?

very nice i would not mind having one.

No, apparently they stopped a yr or so ago- I was lucky a fellow member still had one he hadnt used much. They were redisgning and introducing a new one with a 209 primer and break open, saw a pic on specialty pistol but no real details on when was gonna be released

Neat looking pistol and I love the "portable" size of it. I have never shot one of those but I have sent several rounds downrange from T/C muzzleloading pistols. Here is my 13 3/8" Bullberry:


My current load is 70 grains of Blackhorn 209 and a 240 grain Hornady XTP or Remington JSP. Blackhorn requires a 209 primer so you would probably not get reliable ignition with Blackhorn and a #11 cap. I would suggest GOEX 3F, Pyrodex P, or 3F Triple 7 in your short barrel. I'm looking forward to hearing how your gun shoots, please keep us posted!

I did a little looking, with no luck. The rifle loading information with saboted bullets recomends 75 - 90 grains and an absolute Max of 100. I believe with a short barreled handgun the maximum will be much lower. Probably in the range of 60 - 75 grains would be a good guess on a maximum load. From the picture the gun looks fairly strong, but I would work up carefully. I would still start out at 25 or 30 and start working up. This will give you a chance to get used to recoil before it starts to get unpleasant. In the reply above the load is 70 grains with a 240 in a TC. With you using a 350 grain bullet recoil will be heavier.

I agree with s4s4u it is a very nice looking package. Now if it will shoot accurately.

NOTE: You probably know this, Keep a Scope Cover on when cleaning. Just thought about that.

Be Safe, Keep it Clean, and Enjoy. With luck it should shoot well for you. Keep us posted on your progress, and results.

Factory lists 80gr as max. I am new to muzzleloading so tommorow should be quite the adventure. Ill prob grab some smaller bullets as well to try.

I had a second barrel made up for the wifes Hawken. It was a semi custom gun built around 30 years ago, and I did not want to mess with the original barrel. I found probably the last breachplug in captivity for it from the maker, marked pattern. Used one of Ed's radius rifled barrels made carbine length for it. It is now a Hawken Buggy Carbine in 54.

When we got her Hawken all together, I put together 4 thicknesses of patches, and .530 and .535 round balls, and started trying them out to see what combination of patch and ball had the best accuracy, and could be loaded with ease. Then we had the powder charges. This was a lengthy process working this out. Loading clean, loading dirty, and accuracy, plus keeping recoil aceptable for the wife. After I determined a load we had the gunsmith build her a powder measure for it. Wouldn't you know it, It takes a different patch thickness and a different ball size than my 54 Hawken.

The point here is take your time working up a load. Try different bullets and powder charges. Using black powder substitute powders you might need to try out more than one. You might give pellets a try also. Lots of variables. Look at CCI MAGNUM Caps. Most everyone I know uses RWS or CCI caps, and lots are switching from RWS to CCI as they are much easier to get, and they work fine.

Let us know how your range day turnes out.

You didn't say what caliber your Traditions is?? Mine is a "Trapper" .50 w/ a 1 in 20 twist and set triggers, but I know they made them in a .45. With round balls I use 45 - 60 gr's FFG. With conical and sabots I've used more...but it wasn't as fun (it hurt!).

Bill in OR

So I did some shooting today-no real groups just getting used to the gun. I used pyrodex p powder as gun store said you can't shoot pellets with an 11 cap. Is that true?? it was a great joy shooting this gun-the cleaning and such not so much but it was new and pretty cool. I also picked up some tc 250 gr sabot (yellow tips).. I mostly shot those...I started at 30 and worked up to 70 just testing recoil. 70 was pretty stout but definitely less than the 4" 500 lol. I tried the 350gr FPB-those suckers are really hard to get started in barrel!! once started not so bad, but jeesh. Started at 50gr with those-perfect bullseye at 30 yds!! Went up 70 gr and that was pretty sharp-gun recoils well though-hits ya right in palm so nicely. Where the 500 smacks the web of thumb. I definitley see how this will take a while to figure out exact load data with different bulets. It definitely was fun though. I got the 223 encore dialed in better too--then had woodchuck fever and missed a super close one (30 yds)..oh boy. I do use the CCI magnum caps so maybe I should try pellets? That pyrodex kinda stinky huh?

How do you keep scope lense from getting all black? Those caps really make a mess on some shots!!

clear scope covers and glass cleaner wipes

You've received a lot of good advice but one thing to also check are your local regulations where you will be hunting. For example here in oregon hi'vis sights, closed ignition, centerfire primers, pelletized powders, and sabots are illegal during muzzle loader season. It seems like we are one of the more restrictive states but it pays to check, no need playing with sabots or pellet powder if it's agains the law.

ny requires single shot loaded through muzzle.minimum .45 cal.single projectile for ammo.powder pellets, scopes and sabotes are all ok.

lamina you have a great gun there. any chance you would loan it to me for muzzle loader season???

BS

This will be my first ever muzzleloader season..so sorry pter1020k. Thanks s4s4u..cause that powder measureing is a bit of a pain!! Guess ill pick up some 30 gr pellets next time I'm out. Thanks again for all the info guys-i'll keep you posted on my adventures and hopefully will get a deer this year. It sure is fun to shoot!!!!!!

Powder measuring isn't so bad with speed loaders and a good measure. There are even speed loaders with a powder measure on the side (clear). I use Blackhorn 209 and would never go back to BP or any of the other substitutes.

You are using an inline with caps instead of 209 shotgun primers. So you do not have nearly as much flash to ignite a pellet. However since you are using an inline I would give Pellets a try with CCI Magnum Caps. If they do ignite 100% of the time, they would be handy to use.

NOTE: I think I would try the Pellet without a bullet infront of it to make sure it will fire first. If the Breach unscrews so that you can get the bullet and pellet out incase it does not fire, this is probably not as big an issue.

Just took a look in the Midway Catalog. Looks like they have 5 different designs of Quick Loaders. One of them should work for you.

Good lookin' piece! In a pistol, I have never shot black powder at all, but I shoot a T\C white mountain carbine and started using vorderlader-zundhutchen (that's a mouth full, I know) #11 caps, and boy do they make a difference! I had some trouble with the other brands misfiring, but these babies are hot!

I have a 15 inch 209X50 Encore. Mine likes 100 grs. of Triple 7 and a saboted 300 gr. 45 cal. XTP. I don't know what the powder limit is on your gun. I have shot deer and wild hog with mine.
I've heard the same thing on #11 caps and pellets but I think thats just for sidelock muzzle loaders. My wifes dad uses these in his TC Thunderhawk.

Yes, in a sidelock, the hotter the primer the better. I would think that the inlines would be easier, but I still want whatever is hottest, for the same reason. My inline is 209, but I still love my sidelock, even though my eyes are not so good for open sights anymore. would love to find some old brass optics to mount on it. Any way, the CCI caps would work well on it and would be easier to find, but if you happen to find the german caps, they have my vote.

Deep Thought… do you have a mule ear black powder???
Duane

Nope. Wish I did though. they look like fun.I just have an old T\C side hammer carbine. by sidelock are you talking about a mulie? if so, pardon my terminology.

OK, I think am understanding you know. You are saying side lock to clarify it isn’t an inline. I have had a couple of TC traditional black powder rifles before and they are great guns.
Here is a picture of a mule ear lock. They are neat locks!

Yeah, they look great. I've seen a few pics of 4 barrel mules in the past, but they look heavy. Wouldn't mind having a single tube tho. TCMan, what's your fav cal in an encore?

Also Lamina1982, If the nipple on the pistol is a standard size, you might go with a musket nipple, provided that the hammer will strike it properly.

Doc, is your Scout a rifle or pistol? I would like to see pictures of it. If I got another black powder pistol, it would have to be a Scout (if I could find one). I just like the looks of them.

Well Ive had great ignition with the 11 caps with loose powder so if wont ignite pellets maybe ill try that-would really like to conver it to 209

I really like my 270 Win, but it has to do with sentimental variables more than efficiency to shoot. If I was going to have to start over again for any reason I would look at a 7mm08 or 308 and a 338-06 AI.