Muzzleloader question...

[firediver]

I have a friend going to Colorado this fall to hunt elk. They require round balls or conical projectiles. I don't know anything about either and told him I would try to get some info for him.

Thanks

[ACPOSSETIM]

Not positive on this but I think a lot of guys use powerbelts? They might not be considered a conical but I know guys use them where sabots aren't allowed.

[firediver]

I'll look into those.

I'll give you a call tomorrow evening on the other issue.

[ACPOSSETIM]

ok, whenever is convenient for you. I'll have my cell w/ me all day

[oklahomabowhunter]

i have a 50 cal TC hawkin and shoot 90 grains blackpowder and 370 grain maxi ball bullet. TC also make the maxi hunter bullet. i'm not sure but i believe power belts are considered sabots because of the plastic attached to the bottom of the bullet. to shoot round balls most accurate you need a muzzleloader with a 1 in 66 twist. a 1 in 48 twist does fine for maxi balls and the like. thats the twist i have in my hawkin and it shoots real good out to about 100 yards or so.

[Adam]

Is it conicals (as in maxi bullets) or sabots? If it's sabots, I've used Powerbelts and they absolutely DESTROY whitetails. I've also shot whitetails with round balls out of a flintlock and the biggest thing with them is they're only accurate out to MAYBE 100 yards, 50-75 is more like it.

The round balls hit like a truck though. Given a choice, I'd go with the sabots if legal.

Is it flintlock / percussion (ie, traditional) only or can they use "modern" muzzleloaders (ie, inline)?

[Colorado Rick]

I'm going to call DOW today and get the full skinny for you all.

Look for a post tonight with the outcome.

[Colorado Rick]

Well I didn't get out in time to call DOW for you all. Stupid investment questions!

Anyway, I'll call Bill, or Bob, I can't ever remember the guys name at lunch tomorrow. Sorry for the let down!

Won't happen again!

[huntquest]

I myself use powerbelts and so do most of my hunting clients. Sabots are illegal in Colorado!

[Colorado Rick]

OK so I called DOW and they directed me to the Big Game Brochure.

What it boils down to is that if you will be out here for the actual Muzzle Loader season: Just bring the gun. No scopes, no pelletized powder, no Sabbots. Fixed sights can be painted.

Now if you will be here to hunt with a muzzle loader during Rifle season, then it doesn't matter.

I guess it wasn't a total waste of time, but...

This is from the brochure:

3. MUZZLELOADING RIFLES & SMOOTHBORE MUSKETS
a. In-line muzzleloaders are legal.
b. Must be single-barrel that fires a single round-ball or conical projectile
the length of which does not exceed twice the diameter.
c. To hunt deer, pronghorn or bear, they must be min. of .40 caliber.
d. To hunt elk or moose, they must be min. of .50 caliber.
e. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min. 170 grains.
f. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh min. 210 grains.
g. Shotshell primers are legal.
h. Pelletized powder systems prohibited in muzzleloading seasons.
i. Cannot be loaded from the breech in muzzleloading seasons.
j. Only open or iron sights allowed in muzzleloading seasons. Fiber optics
and fluorescent paint incorporated into or on open or iron sights are legal.
Scopes or any sighting device using artificial light, batteries and electronic
gear are prohibited during muzzleloading seasons.
k. Sabots are prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are
not sabots.
l. Smokeless powder prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black
powder and black powder substitutes are legal.
m. Only legal muzzleloaders allowed in muzzleloading seasons.
n. NEW FOR 2008: Electronic or battery-powered devices cannot
be incorporated into or attached to muzzleloader during muzzleloading
seasons.