Let Me Take A Shot At This One ...
:idea: Hello, Glock101!
There are a number of different ways to look at this subject. First, from a survivalist viewpoint there are certain advantages to keeping a flintlock rifle around. If you can't get conventional powder and primers, you can always make black powder and flint strikers. (Let's hope it never comes to this!)
Second, I know a number of older hunters (like myself) who have come to believe strongly in the one-shot kill. (I guess we need the added challenge.) Then, along comes Thompson Center and gifts all black powder shooters with two of the best single shot platforms ever invented: the Encore pistol/rifle/shotgun, and the Omega Muzzleloading Rifle. One of my closest shooting partners, a man who owns several hundred top quality firearms (really) spends more than half his range and hunting time shooting these two single-shot platforms.
I am turning green with envy over that damned Encore! The reason I call it a shooting platform is because it does everything so very well: black powder; and conventional: rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Very accurate, very reliable, as long as you can live with one shot at a time. About the only thing I not crazy about on the Encore is the fact that the rifle configurations tend to be a little muzzle heavy. The polymer stock could stand more weight in the rear end; but this is not a big deal, just my preference, and you can get wood stock sets if you want them.
You'll have your choice of, either, conventional smokeless powder, black powder or Pyrodex; and conical lead, sabot/bullet, or slug. If I could live my life in reverse, I'd empty out, at least, half of my gun locker and put a couple of Encore frames in there, instead. It might be a good idea if you take the time to familiarize yourself with the local hunting laws in your area before you pick out that muzzleloader. Here, in Pennsylvania, there are subtle variations in the game laws that favor one type of black powder rifle over another during different seasons.
Would I encourage you to get into muzzleloading? You bet I would! The black powder rifles out there today are, truly, 20th century, state-of-the-art, shooting wonders. Here's a couple of links:
http://www.tcarms.com/encrifle/index.html
http://www.tcarms.com/mlrifles/omega/index.html
For blackpowder hunting, here's one of the better websites for you to look at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blackpowder_Hunting/
I hope this information helps you out. Best of luck and Happy Holidays! :santa:
- Arc Angel
:idea: Hello, Glock101!
There are a number of different ways to look at this subject. First, from a survivalist viewpoint there are certain advantages to keeping a flintlock rifle around. If you can't get conventional powder and primers, you can always make black powder and flint strikers. (Let's hope it never comes to this!)
Second, I know a number of older hunters (like myself) who have come to believe strongly in the one-shot kill. (I guess we need the added challenge.) Then, along comes Thompson Center and gifts all black powder shooters with two of the best single shot platforms ever invented: the Encore pistol/rifle/shotgun, and the Omega Muzzleloading Rifle. One of my closest shooting partners, a man who owns several hundred top quality firearms (really) spends more than half his range and hunting time shooting these two single-shot platforms.
I am turning green with envy over that damned Encore! The reason I call it a shooting platform is because it does everything so very well: black powder; and conventional: rifle, pistol, and shotgun. Very accurate, very reliable, as long as you can live with one shot at a time. About the only thing I not crazy about on the Encore is the fact that the rifle configurations tend to be a little muzzle heavy. The polymer stock could stand more weight in the rear end; but this is not a big deal, just my preference, and you can get wood stock sets if you want them.
You'll have your choice of, either, conventional smokeless powder, black powder or Pyrodex; and conical lead, sabot/bullet, or slug. If I could live my life in reverse, I'd empty out, at least, half of my gun locker and put a couple of Encore frames in there, instead. It might be a good idea if you take the time to familiarize yourself with the local hunting laws in your area before you pick out that muzzleloader. Here, in Pennsylvania, there are subtle variations in the game laws that favor one type of black powder rifle over another during different seasons.
Would I encourage you to get into muzzleloading? You bet I would! The black powder rifles out there today are, truly, 20th century, state-of-the-art, shooting wonders. Here's a couple of links:
http://www.tcarms.com/encrifle/index.html
http://www.tcarms.com/mlrifles/omega/index.html
For blackpowder hunting, here's one of the better websites for you to look at:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Blackpowder_Hunting/
I hope this information helps you out. Best of luck and Happy Holidays! :santa:
- Arc Angel