New to ML hunting

[BradA]

I have been considering building a buying a ML for hunting and was looking at purchasing a Endura Pro and was curious what everyone's thoughts are? I know they are new from CVA so maybe there isn't much experience with them yet. Also being I'm new to the ML game what are some other items I would need to purchase in order to shoot and enjoy my ML? and any advice from experienced ML hunters would be great. Thank you.

Endura Pro

bpioutdoors.com

 

[Diablo]

There have been some mixed reviews on the Endura so far. Personally, I’d avoid it. Depends somewhat on what you’re planning to do with it.

I’d look at a TC Encore or a Woodman Arms Patriot.

 

[Gellar]

I wonder if there will be legal issues since it shoots both smokeless and black horn 209?

 

[Diablo]

I wonder if there will be legal issues since it shoots both smokeless and black horn 209?

Legal issues? Some state regs prohibit what powder/bullet/etc you use - not the capability of the barrel steel.

 

[typhoon916]

Ditto on what diablo said

 

[BradA]

There have been some mixed reviews on the Endura so far. Personally, I’d avoid it. Depends somewhat on what you’re planning to do with it.

I’d look at a TC Encore or a Woodman Arms Patriot.

i plan on hunting with it on ML only type opportunities. hopefully to be able to accurately shoot no more than 250-300 yards on the top end at best, but i understand that can be difficult with a peep sight.

 

[nrpate05]

I can't really help, but I have a CVA Optima that I have hunted with a little bit and it is solid. Just be sure to check the regs of the states you plan to hunt in. Some are very primitive and some allow a lot of new technologies. It is pretty fun, I need to shoot mine more.

 

[WildWill]

i plan on hunting with it on ML only type opportunities. hopefully to be able to accurately shoot no more than 250-300 yards on the top end at best, but i understand that can be difficult with a peep sight.

Yeah big problem is past a certain range your front post covers the whole target making precise aiming difficult/impossible. My experience with my eyes and setup has been deer/antelope size start to be completely covered by the post at 150 yards with elk/moose size game you could probably double that range.

 

[Dan O]

First thing for you to do is check the reg's in your state. See what is legal for the ML season. Then if you're going to hunt other states check their reg's as many are different. Sometimes the old way is a much more satisfying way. Plus a side lock is a pretty cool hunting tool.

 

[Diablo]

i plan on hunting with it on ML only type opportunities. hopefully to be able to accurately shoot no more than 250-300 yards on the top end at best, but i understand that can be difficult with a peep sight.

Any decent inline on the market today will do that with the right load. Good peep sights and a very fine front sight are a necessity.

 

[Diablo]

First thing for you to do is check the reg's in your state. See what is legal for the ML season. Then if you're going to hunt other states check their reg's as many are different.

Good advice. You’ll find quite a bit of variation in the muzzy regs/requirements just among western states (ie .50 min for elk in CO).

 

[grizzly63]

Check the ballistics to see if you should even be considering taking 250-300 yds shots. To me that is equivalent to taking 800-1000 yds shots with your rifle. Your ethics are yours, I guess.

 

[Bonasababy]

Muzzleloaders.com has some nice cleaning/loading kits to get you started.

 

[Bonasababy]

Any decent inline on the market today will do that with the right load. Good peep sights and a very fine front sight are a necessity.

Theres what a gun can do and what's ethical...not the same thing.

 

[Dave N]

i plan on hunting with it on ML only type opportunities. hopefully to be able to accurately shoot no more than 250-300 yards on the top end at best, but i understand that can be difficult with a peep sight.

Pretty far poke for a muzzy.

 

[Diablo]

Theres what a gun can do and what's ethical...not the same thing.

Agreed. But 250-300 is not a long shot. Many of us are shooting much further with muzzys using adjustable turrets and modern bullets. 300 yards is well within the ethical and practical limits of most rifles/shooters.

Some of you guys clearly are not aware of what modern muzzys will do. I’m not talking grandads 1:48 twist .50 Hawken with black powder and a patched round ball.

 

[BradA]

First thing for you to do is check the reg's in your state. See what is legal for the ML season. Then if you're going to hunt other states check their reg's as many are different. Sometimes the old way is a much more satisfying way. Plus a side lock is a pretty cool hunting tool.

i have looked into that and it looks like it has to be a .45 caliber, smokeless powder is prohibited and open sites, no scope. that's why I was leaning towards this rifle over the more expensive custom styles.

 

[BradA]

Muzzleloaders.com has some nice cleaning/loading kits to get you started.

will look into that.

 

[BradA]

Pretty far poke for a muzzy.

i agree I'm saying that would be the most i would consider but that would only be determined after i shot and practiced but likely more like 150-200 with all the regs being open site and can't use smokeless powder.

 

[Hem]

My scoped Encore has killed a number of whitetails. Its a tack driver at 100 yds. At 200 yds the Hornady jacketed SST drops 14". I would shoot that far but not with glee. Fine at the range, but real conditions adds a twist, so to speak. I think a BP hunter needs to hunt with reason, generally speaking.
My traditional .50 cal with buckhorn sights I cut myself off at 100 yds. Its very accurate, with a 4"" drop using Hornady Great Plains slugs. But eyesight is truly the limiting factor with this sight, especially at low light.
I know the technology has produced weapons with freak distance capabilities but I still fall back on the nature of hunting for closer shots. Thats just me.