It’s hard to believe that deer season is nearly over. For those hoping to harvest a last-minute deer, be sure to properly load and store your muzzleloader.
Hunting with a muzzleloader can be easy if done right. Unfortunately, if done improperly, the experience can turn out to be quite a nightmare. I have had my share of good hunts, but have caused myself to miss several deer by improperly caring for my gun. It took a few years to perfect my technique, now misfires are a thing of the past. With the likelihood you will only get one shot, it’s of utmost importance to make it count. You may be surprised what can wander up on ya these days, as Derek Miller found out on the first of December (see on page 13).
The muzzleloader can be an accurate and dependable weapon, but only if you are prepared to do what it takes to make it fire. Finicky is an understatement when referring to black powder rifles. They need to be cleaned, loaded, and cared for properly if expected to fire every time. The smallest of mistakes can leave you both smokeless and empty-handed. Most will experience a late or misfire at some point, so be ready to reload fast just in case.
I began muzzleloading years ago when they became legal hunting implements. My reason for doing so was extended range. At that time, a shotgun was only accurate to about 75 yards. I was able to reach out to 150 yards with black powder, which basically doubled my range. There were a few snags along the way, but there were solutions to these problems. Nearly 100 percent of the firing issues I have had were user error and easily fixed.
To hunt with a muzzleloader means you have chosen to make the game more challenging. This is not because you only have one shot, but because everything must be done right to set it off. This all starts with the cleaning of the rifle. Before the hunt, make sure your gun is free of rust and fowling. After cleaning with a brush and patches, swab the barrel out to make sure it is dry. This will prevent rust from forming. Then make sure all flash holes are unobstructed by running a piece of thin wire through the centers. This prevents the spark from being stopped before it reaches the powder. Never use oil of any kind on the breech threads or in the barrel as it will get into the powder and cause a misfire. I recommend firing at least three primers through the gun to absolutely assure obstructions are cleared, and the barrel is completely dry. For safety’s sake, wait a few minutes before loading your powder and bullet to prevent an accidental fire.
Loading is simple. Use the same type of bullet and powder as the gun will shoot differently with other loads. Use the same amount of powder, and try not to touch it because the oils on your hands can fowl it. Once loaded and taken into the cold, leave the gun in a cold area like an unheated garage. If brought inside where it is warm, the barrel will heat up and cause condensation. The condensation will dampen your powder and you will likely result in a misfire. If you follow this advice, the problems you once had may disappear all together.
