Totally new to ML need good setup!

[leftyhunter]

My son drew the M7 tag and I need to get a new ML from scratch. I have done some reading on this orum and the truglo sights dound good. M7 is in the condor zone so I guess its going to be Barnes bullets only unless something else has come out. I might has well get an ML that can take on elk and pigs so I imagine that 50 cal or 54. My son is 16 but he is 6ft tall and is very strong.

I know there are a lot of brands but I am willing to spend enough to get a top o the line system that hopefully is at least some what waterproof.

Thanks;
Leftyhunter

[bsandls]

Any .50 cal is plenty of gun for anything. .54 are tougher to find and I have no experience with them. I have 3 ML rifles and hands down my favorite is the TC Omega. It is over built (thats a positive) simple design, a tack driver and easy to clean. I love every thing about it.

[myfriendis410]

+1 on the Omega. Stainless gives you some corrosion protection. The tru-glo sights aren't the most precise; a ghost ring sight might be a better choice for open sight hunting. We have ours scoped and get fantastic accuracy. Here's a couple of suggestions:

Barnes TEZ 250 gr. sabot in a .50 caliber. Don't waste your time with a .54

Blackhorn 209 powder and a hunter measure with some speedloaders. Almost totally maintenance free propellent.

Standard 209 primers. You can go magnum, but stay away from the "muzzleloader primers"; they're twice the price and don't work with hard to ignite powder.

My Omega shoots 3" groups at 300 yards which is centerfire rifle accuracy. I regularly shoot 1/2" groups at 100 meters. We've killed BIG hogs in excess of 200 yards with complete pass-through performance. Ours are scoped, but good iron sights will give you excellent accuracy.

[leftyhunter]

Thanks guys it looks like its going to be the T/C Omega!

Leftyhunter

[acousticmood]

Good luck Lefty - get r done!

[inchr48]

+1 on the TEZ bullets (I shoot the TMZ's too, but they are tight in the TC's).

Thor bullets are another option for lead free.

Blackhorn 209 is the way to go for sure.

I'd scope the rifle if your hunt regulations allow for it. As has been stated, these rifles are truly long range weapons that open sights won't fully accomodate.

Let us know how it works for you.

[k_rad]

X3 on the TC Omega, Also the primer has a water tight cover that locks into place so your good to go if it rains. Incher, the Muzzel-loader draw hunt here(Ca.) is iron sights only unless you are visually handicap...
Good luck on that hunt with your son Lefty. I know thats like you drew it your self. My son is going off to hunter safety camp tomorrow so we will be trying for some apprentice hunts next year.

[leftyhunter]

Thanks again guys. K-rad I am real partial to the J-10 hunt at FHL but then again my philosopy on deer hunting in Cal is I will take whats ever legal. M7 will take a lot of scouting but got to do what I got to do. Any other tips keep them coming.
Thanks
Letyhunter