Is this what muzzleloading has come to?

[TarponStalker]

First of all I’m not bashing anyone for the method they use to hunt. Also I’m not trying to start an argument about what’s the best way to do things.

Maybe it’s just an age thing. When I was in my teens during the 70s , muzzleloading gained a big resurgence in popularity. Of course many of us back then considered Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett our heroes. Thompson Center and CVA were very popular as they produced guns that were replicas of original muzzleloaders from the 18-19th century.
Yes, many of us got into muzzleloading just to lengthen our hunting time but many enjoyed learning to load, shoot, build and clean these guns to add a challenge to the hunt.

Along came the inline rifle. Now you no longer need to worry as much about moisture as you did with a flintlock or percussion rifle. Plus you can now add a scope, SS barrel, Load with modern bullets, powder and components. Now it no longer even resembles a muzzleloader.

It’s seems each year companies come up with more ways to make primitive weapons less primitive and less challenging.
I also think money is the driving factor for these companies. They’ve now made it where newcomers to the sport only know about inlines and have no idea about using flintlock or percussion guns. A real shame.

I don’t think TC and CVA even build muzzleloaders anymore.

This started bothering me when I met a fellow at a gun store buying an inline rifle. His friend told him that “real muzzleloaders “ only fire 50% of the time. I politely informed him that his friend was mistaken and didn’t know the proper way to clean and load a muzzleloading rifle.
I’m sorry for the rant. Again , I don’t care what others shoot but I hate to see what this has become.
In my opinion if you’re gonna use the gadget advertised here in this pic you may as well use a 30-06 or .270

Rant over. Thanks for reading my long post.

 

[BarnesAddict]

If you don't care what others shoot, then why the rant?

I've said this a million times, let the youngsters get involved, rather they start with a flint, or rather its a $3,500 custom muzzleloader, topped off with a $2,200 Nightforce scope.
Get them started FIRST no matter what rifle they choose.
Once started and they see an old timer like you or I shooting a side hammer, it interests them. Ask them if they'd like to shoot it. You'd be totally surprised at the number of modern inline rifle owners, who after the proper introduction to primitive rifles, own and shoot them too.

This same topic was a sore spot in the NMLRA for a number of years. Arguments, RANTS, "I'll quit muzzleloading", I'll drop my membership" and all kinds of foolishness.

The NMLRA decided to embrace the modern inline and they now have their own aggs and its gaining popularity. Check out NMLRA on youtube.

Way to many youngsters would rather set on their ask and play a game on their "smart phone", than to shoot or hunt. We need all the youngsters, regardless what they or anyone else shoots. To think not, is nothing but foolishness.....

 

[NCHillbilly]

I don't like it at all. Hate me all you want. I don't even see the purpose or appeal of it. It ain't a muzzleloader, no matter what you call it. It's a rifle for people who don't like muzzleloaders, but want to hunt in muzzleloader season.

 

[The Original Rooster]

I have nothing against inlines, but when shooting a muzzleloader starts becoming more like shooting a metallic blackpowder cartridge like that, I find it hard to call it a muzzleloader despite the bullet being loaded from the muzzle. NCHillbilly is right. They're being made for people who want to hunt muzzleloader season.

 

[livinoutdoors]

I'll be honest with you here, i bought a cva wolf bare bones iron sights easy to load and shoot for one reason. They changed the weapons you could use for hunting hogs on public lands in winter. You used to be able to use centerfire after dec 1st, but nope, no more. So i bought an easy to use inline muzzleloader. I would prob never have bought any black powder rifle but for that reason. I like and respect the old ways more than most, but the government makes all these hoops to jump through, so folks jump.

 

[Doctor Funkenstein]

Might as well use a 30-06

If they could, they would. I don't know anyone who shoots muzzleloaders for the aesthetic reason (as you describe) who even owns an inline, let alone prefers one in muzzleloader season. But most hunters are in the season to fill the freezer - it's not about the gun or the method. Hence -

The government makes all these hoops to jump through, so folks jump.

... And if the government weren't forcing these folks to do it, they would be quite happy to leave your/our anachronistic pursuits alone.

 

[Mattval]

I'll be honest with you here, i bought a cva wolf bare bones iron sights easy to load and shoot for one reason. They changed the weapons you could use for hunting hogs on public lands in winter. You used to be able to use centerfire after dec 1st, but nope, no more. So i bought an easy to use inline muzzleloader. I would prob never have bought any black powder rifle but for that reason. I like and respect the old ways more than most, but the government makes all these hoops to jump through, so folks jump.

 

[Darkhorse]

I've shot thousands of rounds through my muzzleloaders, all round balls, not once have I shot lead bullet or a sabot.
I don't own and I've never shot an inline. Don't figure to ever do so.
And I'm happy with that.
Some peoples purchase of inlines are often influenced by an ignorant salesman selling to an ignorant buyer. Before I retired I worked in an office and in that office was me and another muzzleloader shooter who was also strictly traditional. And there was one in there who wanted a muzzleloader but knew nothing about them so he asked a ton of questions. We thought the only decision was flintlock or caplock.
Then one morning he announced, "I got me a new smokepole just like Daniel Boone and Davy Crockett used. And the salesman said this one doesn't use a piece of flint to fire, it uses a cap. So it goes off all the time not just every now and then."
I'll be the first to admit he got off on me. But he never stopped seeing himself as the reincarnation of a longhunter.

Me personally, I don't like them one bit. Lately there has been a lot threads having to do with inlines and when that happens my participation drops off to nearly nothing. I will admit they have every right to participate, just as I have every right not to.
It's too bad we can't get a traditional forum for us diehards.

 

[BarnesAddict]

...........
It's too bad we can't get a traditional forum for us diehards.

If you google it, there are TONS of traditional muzzleloader sites and forums. The administrator/owner of this site is certainly capable of adding one here. Put on your buckskins and coon skin hat when asking

 

[4HAND]

Might as well include bows in this too.
Huge difference in a long bow, wooden arrows & flint arrowheads vs a compound bow/arrows or better yet, today's cross bows/bolts.
It doesn't bother me. To each his own.

 

[NCHillbilly]

Might as well include bows in this too.
Huge difference in a long bow, wooden arrows & flint arrowheads vs a compound bow/arrows or better yet, today's cross bows/bolts.
It doesn't bother me. To each his own.

It doesn't bother me either. I just personally have no interest in or desire for an inline muzzleloader or a compound bow.

 

[dwhee87]

I hunt with an inline. Was able to get into the sport (all in) to try it for right around $200 vs $400+ just for a rifle if I wanted to buy a traditional ML. If I end up liking it long term, I may choose to upgrade to a traditional rifle. I liken it to someone deciding to try golf. Am I gonna go out and buy a $1500 set of clubs to see if I like it?

 

[The Original Rooster]

I hunt with an inline. Was able to get into the sport (all in) to try it for right around $200 vs $400+ just for a rifle if I wanted to buy a traditional ML. If I end up liking it long term, I may choose to upgrade to a traditional rifle. I liken it to someone deciding to try golf. Am I gonna go out and buy a $1500 set of clubs to see if I like it?

I don't think the issue is a modern inline muzzleloader (which I have no problem with) as much as it is these preloaded plastic cartridges that contain everything but the bullet so that they can still call it a muzzleloader. It's really not a muzzle loader as much as it is a plastic black powder cartridge. That's just my opinion.

 

[Nicodemus]

Might as well include bows in this too.
Huge difference in a long bow, wooden arrows & flint arrowheads vs a compound bow/arrows or better yet, today's cross bows/bolts.
It doesn't bother me. To each his own.

It wasn`t that long ago that compound bows were not legal to hunt deer with here in Georgia. And when they were made legal, you could only use one during rifle season for a couple of years.

 

[The Original Rooster]

It wasn`t that long ago that compound bows were not legal to hunt deer with here in Georgia. And when they were made legal, you could only use one during rifle season for a couple of years.

I think I remember a little bit of that time period.

 

[4HAND]

It wasn`t that long ago that compound bows were not legal to hunt deer with here in Georgia. And when they were made legal, you could only use one during rifle season for a couple of years.

The same here with crossbows. You used to need a handicap permit.

 

[antharper]

I have all 4 , inline , 40 year old Hawken , bow and a crossbow ! And I enjoy all 4 . But you are correct , my inline with a scope is just a single shot rifle that takes a little longer to load . I bought it to hunt a very large piece of public land that doesn’t allow rifles and have had quite a bit of success with it . And yes this is what muzzle loading has come to for quite a lot of hunters .

 

[formula1]

I prefer my in-line over my .308. Used to have a .44 for short range but the muzzleloader is more fun than both. I really don’t care what anyone shoots. Just do what right for you and legal!

 

[buckpasser]

I must admit, I too got a muzzleloader because I like more deer season, not because I liked primitive weapons. I see the pride you guys who are into the true primitive have for it, and I respect that! Just remember, we all draw our lines in different places. I’ve hunted with guys that would blast quail on the ground and ducks on the water. I might look down my nose at them too, but it’s all just rules and ethics we put on ourselves within the law.

 

[GeorgiaBob]

It wouldn't bother me if they changed the law and limited the ML season to flintlocks with a minimum barrel length of 30 inches. I look at the smokestick season as an opportunity to wander around with a loaded flintlock long rifle and enjoy myself.

Some folks are gonna read a law and try to figure out how they can twist the language so they can do what they want instead of what the legislature intended. If they are obeying the law as written, are not endangering anyone, are not ruining hunting for others, and are happy with what they are doing, then I am not going to blow a gasket worrying about their choices.