Old Dog Needs New Tricks?

Okay, so I'm not really that old but I've been shooting muzzleloader for 18 years, and for 18 years, I've been doing things the way I was taught without questioning it. This isn't usually my style.

I'd like to hear some thoughts on the setup and advice moving forward.

Thompson Center Black Diamond 50 cal (purchased new in 1998!)
No. 10 CCI Percussion caps
90gr Goex FFG
44cal 240gr Hornady XTP Hollow Point w/ 50cal green sabot
Open sights

I only shoot within 100 yards and do some "dogging", which is why I've avoided a scope to date.

I'm happy to hear any suggestions you have, whether you think I should use more powder or that the gun would be better used as a decoy weight. Thanks in advance!

Before you can cure it, you need to know what happened.

How did you 'lose' the deer ? Not finding it doesn't necessarily mean you didn't hit it well. Some deer run pretty far with a double lung shot and ML bullets don't always exit the deer on the far side, so you don't get much of a blood trail.

There could be dozens of reason, and usually when we lose a deer we agonize over them all...









Di

I'm not into muzzleloaders, but you've already eluded to some things regarding the shooting.
There is the rifle and there is you. The more you can dissociate the two, the easier it is to tackle the problem.
Shoot with a GOOD rest, perhaps a scope (don't even need to sight it in as long as the shots are on the paper). If you don't shoot a lot with open sights, it's difficult to know it it's you or the rifle.

Thanks for the replies folks,

I was actually looking for advice on what I can do to improve my gun setup rather than my hunting style. I've edited my original post accordingly.

sounds like the gun shots fine...

I personally prefer dynamit Nobel caps. I also prefer a 45 cal bullet over a 44. But if your rifle goes boom each time and shoots well why change anything?

Thanks folks,

I guess I'm questioning the setup because I don't always get a pass-through. The bullet is sometimes caught under the skin on the 'exit' side of the animal. I know that ideally you want most of the bullet's energy to dissipated in the animal so not having a pass-through isn't necessarily all that bad. I once had a deer run 400 yards on a clean broadside double-lung shot (over open ground), so I can't help but think there is room for improvement.

I guess I just don't know enough about muzzleloading, even though I've been doing it for so long. I think 240 gr is on the light side, but what advantages/disadvantages are found in a heavier bullet? Also, what advantages/disadvantages are there in a 45 cal bullet vs. a 44? Why do people like the pyrodex pellets (is there an accuracy benefit or is it just ease of use)? Is 90 grain light for powder?

On the gun itself: This gun has seen a lot of miles but not a ton of shooting. I've probably put 150 bullets down the bore in 18 years. Is the reasonable life expectancy of a muzzleloader determined by shots fired, or should I be thinking about age and bore rust? The breech plug is seized, so I can't get a good look down the barrel (yes, I tried soaking it in WD-40 for a month and then hitting it with the impact). I can't shoot MOA accuracy with open sites, but I don't have trouble staying on target either. What are your perspectives on dragging a scope through the bush?

it's always hard to teach an old dog a new trick, even if it's a simple one - like putting a scope on (like a 1.something to 4 something zoom)
LOL

Part of your issue with no pass through is bullet type and velocity.

Nothing wrong with XTP as in Extreme Terminal Performance bullets. They dump everything they have in the animal. I don't use them for hunting as I prefer a complete pass through wound channel.

Pr bullets makes very effective projectiles and honestly not one I've shot with them has even taken another step. I've moved away from them as well because the velocity I'm shooting now is beyond what they are useable for. I'd try a Dead Center 260 grain if I were you.

I agree with above, put a scope on it but in the end you are killing deer well so not much wrong as far as I can see. If you do put a scope on don't cheap out as ML are very hard on optics!

Hope that helps

They make small bore lights that just slide down the barrel, inexpensive and absolutely necessary if purchasing second hand muzzleloaders.if you get one you will soon see if your bore is ok or toast. 45 cal bullets have always been more accurate for me, 44 cal just never seemed to shoot well. I have never recovered a bullet, they all blow right thru but I prefer 300 grain min and will usually buy the heaviest bullet I can get. I don't shoot any further than 125 yards so it is not really a concern. PR bullets do have great terminal performance