Selecting My 1st Muzzleloader

[Zim1]

I've never owned a muzzleloader. I have shot them before though. This year I inadvertantly drew a Nevada unit 6 muzzleloader deer tag, so I need to buy one that meets the Nevada regulations and get practicing. Is anyone familiar with their regulations? Here is how they are worded:

1. May use only a lead ball, alead bullet, a semijacketed bullet or a metal alloy bullet that expands.

2. The use of smokeless powder is prohibited. Only black powder or a black powder substitutesuch as Pyrodex or Triple 3 may be used as a propellant. A sabot round may be used.

3. Wheel lock, matchlock, or flintlock ignition system, or a percussion ignition system that uses a primer or percussion cap.

4. Single barrel .45 or larger.

5. Open sights or peep sights. A sight operated by a battery, electronics is prohibited.

Can someone tell me a good muzzleloader model and load that is suited for these restrictions? I'd like to be able to put a scope on for future use.

Thanks much.

[BelchFire]

Zim,

I'm not familiar with NV regs, but based on your post, it sounds like any muzzleloader without a scope or electronic sight is good to go. I'm a traditionalist, so I'd rather have a side lock, but it sounds like you can consider an in-line too. Scopes don't look good on a traditional guns, and it's not many (if any) that come drilled and tapped. In-lines, however, are almost all drilled and tapped for scopes.

If'n it were me (and it's not), I'd go traditional and stick with a black powder substitute for cleanliness and ease of maintenance. I use loose Pyrodex in a Lyman myself. I've got a Lyman Great Plains Hunter (fast twist) and a Trade Rifle (moderate twist). Both shoot a saboted .44 very well over 105gr and 90gr respectively.

G'luck and keep us posted even if you do go with an in-line.

[Neil San Diego]

Looks like the NV regs are wide open except for scopes. I agree with the Great Plains rifle if you're interested in the tradition approach. Its a very well made rifle. Just FYI, you can get several twist rates in the rifling. A fast rate (1 in 28" to 32") works best with conicals and heavy projectiles. Slow rates (1 in 60" to 66") are best for roundballs. Medium rates (1 in 48") are supposed to be a compromise and work "fair" for both roundball and conical. Although some folks may say that the medium twist works equally bad for all projectiles, guess its a matter of perspective.

Neil