Hop

Hop what muzzleloader are you using?

 

Sent from my C811 4G using Lake Ontario United mobile app

I shoot a Savage 10ml-II.  I use 43 grains of IMR 4227 pushing a 245 gr. powerbelt.  It is a real tackdriver.  I would be interested if anybody shoots the same rifle but uses a different load.

Well, Legacy, if you can admit to a screwup, I guess I can fess up too. But first I want to thank you, and everyone who contributed to this thread this season. After a cold fruitless, frustrating morning or evening hunt, I enjoyed coming home and reading about everybody`s experiences, good or not. Sure can relate to a lot of them and it`s nice to know other guys feel the same pain I feel much of the time.

Ok, a week or so ago I shot a doe. Reloaded the muzzleloader, then when I got home I reloaded it again. Yes, put a second charge on top of first! So, had to break down rifle (a Savage in line that shoots smokeless powder). So, while breaking it down, naturally cleaned it, put anti seize on nipple, etc. (Didn`t have rifle antiseize, so used some anti rust seize that I use on brake componets) No harm, right? Put rifle back together, popped a few caps, and reloaded. Well, went to shot a doe the other nite, you guessed it, POP, and the doe waved goodbye. After screwing up that nite, I came home, next day shot several shots with no problems. Soo, reloaded and been hunting ever since till last nite, when nice buck (at sunset, but my watch usually runs slow) stepped out. You guessed it, POP. So today tore rifle down, cleaned and lubed it properly and put back together. Tomorrow AM will fire several rounds and load just before I go out. I surmise that overtime, a little antiseize contaminated the powder. So, if the big guy in the sky gives me just one more chance, I promise not to screw it up.[/qquote

When u say your firing it multiple times then loading you are meaning poping off primers, not actually shooting it I hope! If so I don't think that it is as important with modern In lines. As long as u clean the breach plug with something small enough to make sure the hole is clear and before u load it just hold the gun so u can see light thru the hole there should be no need to pop a primer. Unless u feel there may be moisture in the barrel for some reason. But I pretty much exclusively hunt with my muzzleloader and have only fired off just a primer when at the range now and then. My gun has only not gone off for me once after hunting in a monsoon! And for the threads on the breach plug I use bore butter also use the bore butter for cleaning the barrel after a water scrub!

Hopefully u and rob have better luck in the next couple days! Keep at them!!

Sent from my C811 4G using Lake Ontario United mobile app

 

 

With the exception of opening day, when I use my Dad`s old 16 model 37, I use the muzzleloader exclusively also.  I normally just pop caps off, but am so paranoid about this not firing, that until season is over I will fire several shots before hunting.  Only 3 days left, can`t afford to screw up anymore.

Wow! Blew another opportunity tonight at sunset. Decent 8pt but I don't think he was over 125". Clean miss.

I checked my phone to see what time it was and by the time I looked back up the buck had almost made it through my first shot window. I did a couple of mouth grunts but he didn't stop. The little buck behind him did though . After the little buck lost interest I got up and beat feet to get another shot opportunity. I snuck out to the field and peeked around the corner and there stood a fawn. I got down on one knee and got in good shooting form. Out pops a big doe with the buck pushing her. Of course the buck instantly notices me clear as day in a snow covered field. I was forced to take a shot while he was quartering towards me. Problem being I had to also shoot through the brush to get the shot. Who knows... brush might of got me. At this point, I can only laugh at my luck this season.

Sent from my E6782 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Well, Legacy, if you can admit to a screwup, I guess I can fess up too.  But first I want to thank you, and everyone who contributed to this thread this season.  After a cold fruitless, frustrating morning or evening hunt, I enjoyed coming home and reading about everybody`s experiences, good or not.  Sure can relate to a lot of them and it`s nice to know other guys feel the same pain I feel much of the time.   

Ok, a week or so ago I shot a doe.  Reloaded the muzzleloader, then when I got home I reloaded it again.  Yes, put a second charge on top of first!  So, had to break down rifle (a Savage in line that shoots smokeless powder).  So, while breaking it down, naturally cleaned it, put anti seize on nipple, etc.  (Didn`t have rifle antiseize, so used some anti rust seize that I use on brake componets)  No harm, right?  Put rifle back together, popped a few caps, and reloaded.  Well, went to shot a doe the other nite, you guessed it, POP, and the doe waved goodbye.  After screwing up that nite, I came home, next day shot several shots with no problems.  Soo, reloaded and been hunting ever since till last nite, when nice buck (at sunset, but my watch usually runs slow) stepped out.  You guessed it, POP.  So today tore rifle down, cleaned and lubed it properly and put back together.  Tomorrow AM will fire several rounds and load just before I go out.  I surmise that overtime, a little antiseize contaminated the powder.  So, if the big guy in the sky gives me just one more chance, I promise not to screw it up.

Went out this morning and did an all day sit. Not a single deer seen. Around noon I walked for a little to warm up and found this......

Sent from my SCH-I545 using Lake Ontario United mobile app

Not sure how to transfer a pic from my phone, but two days ago made a sweep through a bedding area and found a real nice 9 point-half eaten.  Couldn`t get too close due to odor, etc., but thought I could see a hole in gut area.  I wondered why I hadn`t seen this guy for a while.  So far season consists of doe w/muzzleloader.  Screwed up on nice buck w/crossbow earlier.  Time is getting short.

I took this Buck in Delaware County in the Catskill Mountains, early Sat. Morning.  It was a one shot kill through the neck at 50 yards.

Conditions were perfect with two inches of fresh snow on the ground.  He is a seven point buck and dressed out at 185 lbs. This is the heavyest Whitetail Buck I ever shot. His antler spread was only 17 " .

Shoot Strait

Len

Nice deer Jersy L.  Did you have him aged?  Looks like an old warrior-gray/white face.  Maybe on the way down-hence the smaller rack verses body size.  Might want to grind that old boy into burger!

He`s a beaut-thanks for sharing.  I especially like hearing equipment used, where hit, how far he went, etc. 

Tonite first nite I`ve seen action-nice buck shagging after doe, chasing in big circles, just out of range. 

Thanks everybody for the ideas.  I am thinking about a lower poundage compound-but for last part of last year and this year have been using the longbow.   It`s actually not a recurve, but a true long bow.  I know I won`t have many chances where I can take a shot.  My only option is to draw and shoot almost in one motion, which I actually have gotten pretty good at out to 20 yards in the back yard.  At least it gets me out in the woods.  These days it`s gotten so bring something home is almost secondary.  Thanks again.  Stay safe.

I`m really enjoying reading the various opinions and experiences.  Wondering if anyone can offer their experiences using a longbow.  Due to shoulder and back issues I was forced to switch from my compound to a longbow.  Currently using Muzzy`s, haven`t shot a deer with them yet.  Any other ideas on fixed blades for a 47# longbow?

BSmaster, I was nodding my head in agreement as I read your entire post, especially your last comment about feeling good when I see a post or picture that includes a youngster with a fish or deer, etc.  At first I wasn`t too sure about this early season for kids, but from what I have seen and read, I think it`s getting some of the younger generation the "bug".  Good hunting,  safe hunting to you and all.

Way to go.  real nice buck.  still searching for mine, plenty of time...

Chris-here is a question that will tell you how techno challenged I am-How do you reformat a SD card?  Think that may be a problem I`ve been having with my Wildgame cams.  Thanks..

Nice videos.  What brand trail cams do you use?  Generally, are these photos from the finger lake region?  Thanks.

I have been out hanging stands and poking around a bit, haven`t seen any scrapes.  I enjoy following a blog by Robert Hoague.  He is on Bowhunting.net.  One of his recent blogs deals with when bucks start making scrapes.  (Blog is dated Aug. 27)  I realize he is in a different part of the country, but still worth reading.

Ha Ha!  Real good one!  Actually I do know one I used to use quite a lot.  Goes by the name of Jack Daniel.  Haven`t spoken w/him in quite some time, but I`m sure he is still providing therapy.

Les, you are without question the LAST person I would expect to do something like that.  You check, recheck again and again.  You have always reminded me of those guys down at NASA who check and test stuff so much, the stuff they are checking and testing wears out and fails because of so much checking and testing!  (They do have medication for that condition, so I`m told.) 

The paper said the fellow caught it on a homeaide painted lure.  Hoping the guy or somebody who knows him will say how big, etc, lure was.   Great fish, guy!!

Yes, I also have broken skim ice to get out to "the hole".  Then again, I never won any awards for being the brightest light on the tree!      (And a big OUCH to your comment, Pork.  I could be wrong, but I think I`ve seen some ice on your beard after some winter fishing, too.)

May not officially count cause it`s only used during winter, but my 1957 16~ Alumacraft powered with 9.9.  A guy would have to work to put a dent in it with a hammer, the aluminum is so thick.  Love winter fishing in the Belhurst hole pulling flashers.

Well, ok Les.  I guess I deserved that about  oversleeping.  That damn  cat is going to get dropped off at the China Buffet.  (That`s probably not politically correct, but then again I never worried too much about that stuff).  Yes, I also was driving the boat and got us into that tight spot, but everything is well that ends well, right?  I did  notice that you neglected to report about those (was it one or two) lures you managed to drop in the lake?  All kidding aside, a great morning, refreshing to fish riggers and dipseys as opposed to fishing rigs all the time.  Thanks a bunch.  Till next time.

Wow.  What a fish.  Towards the end of my fishing days there I started using 2 o~6`s soldered together.  Cut way down on the little guys, but still never caught nor had a hit from a big one.

Does a thermocline ever set up on Skan?  I haven`t fished that lake in over 20 years but I (think) I remember talking with someone at DEC and was told (I can`t remember the reason he gave) that a thermocline never sets up in that lake.  Back then I couldn`t keep more than one rig in the water, but everything was 1-3 pounds.  DEC told me there were some state record lakers (at that time) in there, which is why I kept going back.  Beautiful scenery, though.

I bookmarked the page. If you are interested click the link at the top of my original post. Probably cheaper to put it on a thumb drive, than to print. I was talking to Les about the report you both had years ago. Sounds to me like this is the same info, and it has pretty interesting details. 145 pages was a lot to absorb, that's why I bookmarked it to refer back to. Just too much info. 

Thank you for that.  The more experience I have with this lake, the more the old adage:  "The more things change, the more they stay the same" rings true for me.

Hop I can't find my copy bud I was going from memory (which you know can be a real question mark) I haven't actually seen that material in years

I was actually joking!  Printing all that would fry most any printer...

I guess I should have reviewed the total article Jason   I once had a printed copy of that information back in the late 70's or so and some very specific charts of the thermocline as it moved from month to month throughout the year that was given to me by one of my buddies back then. The sampling was done in the 500 ft of water and as I remember in the month of November there was a radical drop off of temp and then it was nearly a straight line from slightly below the surface during the dead of winter of 39 degree water all the way to the bottom.  There are also measurements taken by the Hobart and William Smith research buoy out from Roy's at the north end but they end in the late Fall. It includes quite a few profiles including wind speed throughout the day and water temp plots (thermocline plots).

Hey Les, I`m sure your computer and printer is faster than mine.  Print out a copy of that report for me, would ya?  My ex-wife burned my old copy (with a bunch of other good stuff) way back then. 

Man.  Talk about ball busting!  It`s ok Bob.  We know the real story...