Muzzleloader Hunting Network

Welcome To Our All New Muzzleloader Hunting Network

This is an all new format to make it easier for you to navigate the NORTH AMERICAN MUZZLELOADER HUNTING website, and that's by publishing many of our articles and reports on our sister blog sites - namely NORTH AMERICAN MUZZLELOADER HUNTING...KNIGHT MUZZLELOADER HUNTING... HARVESTER MUZZLELOADING HUNTER...and BLACKHORN 209 HUNTER. All of these offer you an opportunity to share your experiences and muzzleloader knowledge by joining these blog groups - and to comment on the topics presented. Muzzleloader hunting continues to be an ever changing sport, and we feel this new format will allow us to better keep our readers up to date on the latest developments. This page will also allow us to provide links to some excellent reading shared on other websites as well.
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Nikon Omega ML Scope vs. Hi-Lux Optics TB-ML Scope

Here is a look at two multi-reticle muzzleloader hunting scopes that allow for "holding on" for those shots out to 250 yards. One is half the retail price of the other. Here's a look at how the more expensive model isn't necessarily the best choice. (Published 9-13-11)

http://namlhunt.blogspot.com/2011/09/nikon-omega-bdc-muzzleloader-scope-vs.html

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OUTDOOR LIFE Magazine Takes A Look At Long-Range Muzzleloaders

Fact is, just about any of today's modern in-line ignition muzzleloading rifles are fully capable of taking game at ranges of 200 to 250 yards. This article shares the experiences of several muzzleloading experts...and what they have to say about tapping that kind of performance.

http://www.outdoorlife.com/node/45166

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New 50-Shot Test - From A Barrel With 10,000 Rounds Fired Through It!

North American Muzzleloader Hunting's No. 1 Test Rifle, A .50 Caliber Knight "Long Range Hunter" Has Now Surpassed 10,000 Rounds! To see how the Green Mountain barrel has weathered all of that shooting, we conducted a NEW 50-Consecutive-Shot Test to see if there has been any loss of accuracy. The target shown here keeps all 50 of those shots clustered inside of 1.5-inches.

http://knightmuzzleloaderhunting.blogspot.com/2011/08/10000-rounds-with-no-loss-of-accuracy.html

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Low Recoil Hunting Loads For Younger & Smaller Frame Hunters...

It takes just 800 foot pounds of energy, at the distance of the target, to consistently bring down deer sized game. Here is a look at some very soft recoiling loads that are fully capable of taking whitetails to 100-125 yards, without the painful recoil, that are ideal for the younger hunter...or for women who have decided to give muzzleloader hunting a try.

http://harvestermlhunter.blogspot.com/2011/03/low-recoil-muzzleloader-whitetail-loads.html

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Choosing A 200-Yard Muzzleloader...With The Knockdown Power Needed...

Most big game hunting experts agree that 800 foot-pounds of retained energy at the distance of the target should be considered minimum for taking whitetails, mule deer and similar sized game, and that 1,200 foot-pounds should be considered minimum for game as large as elk. Today's modern in-line rifles and loads are fully capable of delivering that kind of performance out to 200 yards...and farther.

http://namlhunt.blogspot.com/2011/06/choosing-200-yard-muzzleloader.html

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Great Shooting Sabot-Bullet Combos That Don't Come Pre-Packaged...

Sometimes, finding the optimum sabot & bullet combination for a particular rifle, or to shoot the ideal bullet for a special hunt, might call for experimenting with a match that is not offered pre-packaged. Here is a look at a few of those combos, written by N.A. Muzzleloader Hunting host Toby Bridges.

http://www.biggamehunt.net/reviews/muzzleloader-sabot-bullet-combos-dont-come-packaged

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Special Muzzleloader Seasons Offer Non-Crowded Hunting Enjoyment...

One of the big draws of hunting the muzzleloader big game seasons is generally the uncrowded hunting conditions. In many states, the regular firearms hunting seasons often attract 300,000 to 400,000 (in some states as many as 600,000 to 800,000)...while the muzzleloader only seasons are more commonly hunted by 50,000 to 100,000 statewide. With fewer hunters spooking game, one's chances of tagging a true trophy can improve significantly.

http://www.biggamehunt.net/articles/joys-muzzleloader-shooting

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Do Multi-Reticle Muzzleloader Hunting Scopes Work...Yes...But...

The Leatherwood/Hi-Lux TB-ML muzzleloader hunting scope shown here on a Knight "Mountaineer" rifle is a multi-reticle muzzleloader scope This particular 3-9x40mm model features a duplex style primary reticle, and three shorter long-range cross bar reticles for longer range shooting. Sighted at 100 yards with a prescribed load, the longer range reticles will keep hits in the kill zone at 200, 225 and 250 yards.

http://knightmuzzleloaderhunting.blogspot.com/2011/02/do-multi-reticle-muzzleloader-hunting.html
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Enjoy This Video Of A Colorado Muzzleloader Hunt For A 6x6 Bull Elk...

Elk country can be big, and to cover it, many hunters often race across it as if they have to cover every inch in a few days. One of the advantages of hunting with a guide is that the outfitter has already scouted the country and knows where the elk are. That's the advantage of a guided hunt...or living where the elk live. This YouTube video shows the advantages of a slow-go approach to elk hunting...and the knockdown power a .50 caliber muzzleloader can deliver.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Ea_7kQVbSA

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The Old Tree Stand...

Here's a look at a trip down memory lane, to where North American Muzzleloader Hunting host Toby Bridges took his very first horned muzzleloader whitetail buck, more than 45 years ago. This article also clearly identifies a serious problem that negatively impacts future opportunities for others to enjoy muzzleloader big game seasons...or any big game seasons for that matter.

http://mtnchronicle.blogspot.com/2011/04/old-tree-stand.html

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Is There A Futue For Traditional Muzzleloader Big Game Hunting In The U.S.?

This article by N.A. Muzzleloader Hunting host Toby Bridges takes a look at what has happened to the traditional side of muzzleloading. Today, those who shoot and hunt with a front-loaded rifle of pre-1860s design make up less than 10-percent of all muzzleloader owners. Here is a look at why...and at the traditional rifles and loads which could put new life into hunting with an old-style muzzleloader.

http://www.monstermuleys.com/cgi-bin/stories/site99.pl?page=art-tobybridges51707&tem=art1

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Dr. Jim Clary Reports On The Scorpion PT Gold Muzzleloader Hunting Bullets...

One of the best shooting new bullets on the market today has been the electro-copper-plated Scorpion PT Gold polymer tipped saboted bullet from Harvester Muzzleloading. This great muzzleloader hunting bullet now comes in 240-, 260- and 300-grain weights. In this article, noted muzzleloading hunter Dr. Jim Clary wrings out the Scorpion PT gold on the range.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/crushed_rib_sabots_scorpion_bullets.htm

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New Owners Give New Life To The Pioneers Of In-Line Muzzleloading...

Back in June 2009, many of us were afraid that the pioneer of in-line muzzleloading, Knight Rifles, would disappear forever as the company shut down and ceased production. New owners have breathed new life into the company, and the extremely reliable and deadly accurate Knight muzzleloaders are once again flowing out the doors. Here is a look at what the future may hold.

http://www.americanhunter.org/articles/return-knight-rifles/

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A Look Back At N.A. Muzzleloader Hunting's First Blackhorn 209 Season...

Before the first batch of Blackhorn 209 was ever produced, in early 2007, N.A. Muzzleloader Hunting host Toby Bridges sat down with three engineers to discuss the ideal propellant for modern in-line muzzleloaders...and 9 months later, he was shooting some of the earliest produced powder - which did not have an official name as of then. Here is a look at his first season (fall/winter 2007) with the pre-production powder.

http://www.biggamehunt.net/news/western-powders-new-blackhorn-209-muzzleloader-propellant
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A Leading Midwest Outfitter Shares Thoughts On Muzzleloading Big Bucks...

One of the best places in the U.S. to hang your tag on a monster whitetail buck, like the Illinois brute shown in the accompanying photo, is in the Midwest. And the muzzleloader seasons are a great time to do it. Here, a leading Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Kansas outfitter shares thoughts on the best equipment for muzzleloader hunting a buck of a lifetime.

http://www.imbmonsterbucks.com/info.php?id=236

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SouthernMuzzleloading.com Wrings Out Blackhorn 209 On The Range...

Blackhorn 209 has become the powder of choice for an ever growing number of performance minded muzzleloading hunters. The article at this link takes a look at Blackhorn 209...from a southern hunter's perspective.

http://www.southernmuzzleloading.com/2011/01/blackhorn-209-on-range.html?utm_source=BP_recent

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The Scorpion PT Gold Contributes To Successful Muzzleloader Ibex Hunt...

Drawing a New Mexico ibex tag...and filling it...is a once in a lifetime opportunity. Dr. Jim Clary hunts the rugged desert country with a muzzleloader, and fills his tag shooting a product produced by one of North American Muzzleloader Hunting's sponsors - Harvester Muzzleloading. Their 300-grain Scorpion PT Gold gets the job done.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/ibex_scorpion.htm

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Watch A Blackhorn 209 TV Commercial Spot...

A powder that does not excessively foul the bore...measures & loads very consistently...and which produces consistent velocities generally produces the best accuracy.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3w4DoAmQMQ

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Another Great Blackhorn 209 TV Commercial Spot...

Blackhorn 209 alleviates a lot of the muzzleloader cleaning headaches, especially the nightmare of a stuck breech plug. Many high quality in-line rifles have been ruined, thanks to a "removable" breech plug that's no longer "removable". This clean burning powder eliminates that worry.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Es-GwsJuODc

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Blackhorn 209 Load Data/Ballistics

As this NEW Start Up of the N.A. Muzzleloader Hunting website progresses, we will build our own Muzzleloader Load Data & Ballistics pages. Until then, here is a link to the data/ballistics published by our good friends at Blackhorn 209.

http://www.blackhorn209.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/b209muzzleloaderdata.pdf

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To Tighten Up 100-Yd. Groups...Tighten Up Sabot-Bullet Fit In The Bore...

Not all .50 caliber bores are perfectly .500" from rifling land to rifling land. In fact, the majority of bores will likely go .501" to .502", with some going .503". While .001" to .002" isn't much of a measurement, it is enough to cause some sabot-bullet combos to load just a bit too loosely for optimum ignition of some powders...or for best accuracy. Here's one fix...

http://namlhunt.blogspot.com/2011/07/tighten-up-sabot-bullet-fit-for-tighter.html

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Looking For A Brush Busting Muzzleloader Bullet? Here Are Some Of The Best!

Most muzzleloader whitetails are taken at less than 75 yards. And in many regions of the country that's because the brush is so thick that getting a shot at anything farther is next to impossible. That same thick brush can play havoc with some saboted muzzleloader hunting bullets. Here is a look at a few that can plow through and hit their target.

http://harvestermlhunter.blogspot.com/2011/02/best-brush-busting-muzzleloader-hunting.html
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Will Your Rifle Group 50 Consecutive Shots At 100 Yards In A Group Like This?

That's 50 shots through the same ragged 1.6" hole at 100 yards shown on the target in the accompanying photo. Is your rifle...scope...powder...and bullet choice capable of this degree of accuracy? The article at the link below takes a look at why this combo has become the author's No. 1 choice.

http://bh209hunter.blogspot.com/2011/03/welcome-to-blackhorn-209-hunter.html

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Variables In Weather Creates Variables In Seasonal Muzzleloader Ballistics...

This report by N.A. Muzzleloader Hunting host Toby Bridges appears on the Blackhorn 209 Hunter blog, and takes a look at how differences in the weather can account for those differences in all the muzzleloader load data being published. He says the No. 1 factor is the temperature - accounting for as much as 100 f.p.s. over the course of all four seasons. He shares his load data for Blackhorn 209 powder.

http://bh209hunter.blogspot.com/2011/04/variables-in-muzzleloader-ballistics.html

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Backward Muzzleloader Hunting Regulations That Hurt Muzzleloader Hunting!

Non-serving muzzleloader hunting regulations in many western states are not in the best interest of sound wildlife management, or the sport of hunting. One, the ban on scopes during muzzleloader seasons in a number of states even violates U.S. Discrimination laws. Here is a look at regs that really need changed.

http://bh209hunter.blogspot.com/2011/03/state-wildlife-agencies-in-colorado.html

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Wolves Are Destroying Western Big Game Herds & Hunting Opportunities!

The biggest threat to losing the muzzleloader seasons in several states is likely the wolf. Elk herds across Idaho and in western Montana are being decimated by out of control wolf numbers. Wolves have pulled down the Northern Yellowstone herd from more than 19,000 (in 1995-96) to just 4,400 elk this year (2011)...the Lolo herd in Idaho has gone from 14,000 animals to fewer than 2,000, and other herds have suffered the same fate - all due to wolf depredation. In northern Minnesota, northern Wisconsin, and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, deer herds are also being hard hit by growing wolf numbers - and whitetail harvests there are down 50- to 60-percent. All hunting is in jeopardy, even the muzzleloader seasons. Here is a look at the anti-hunting groups who are largely responsible.
http://namlhunt.blogspot.com/2009/07/are-muzzleloader-seasons-in-danger-of.html

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Watch For The Regular Addition Of Many Other Muzzleloader Article Links...

Our goal on this page is to continuously bring you the best muzzleloader shooting and hunting information and advice published on the internet. Return here often to see what new links we've added.

   HERE NOW...MLnet2 - Another Page Of Links To Great Muzzleloader Articles!

                                                                         http://www.namlhunt.com/mlnet2.html

                                                                                 This Page Last Updated 9-14-11