Just got my Early Xmas ML Barrell - NEED TIPS (Safety, Hunting)

[Meat Manager]

Hey guys...

I have always just bow hunted in the late season, but I got the ML barrel for my Mossberg 500, going to shoot it in today and tomorrow and hunt with it starting Wednesday.

My boy recommended Hornady SST Sabots, which I have already picked up, so that is what I am going to use this season, but other recommendations are welcome.

I would really like to know how your hunting process changes with the single shot smoke pole. What type of hunting methods you employ (stand, still), what you would or wouldn't try to shoot through, etc.

Also I am really looking for your processes in loading, transporting, lifting into treestands, cleaning between firings, discharging or not at the end of the day etc...

Thanks!

Edited December 12, 2011 by 7J Everyday

[virgil]

I mostly stay in a treestand or try to keep still as much as possible- shooting a deer on the move is tough when you have only one shot. I can tell you from personal experience- you should definitely unload the gun when your day's hunt is over to avoid condensation and wet powder/pellets- you can just fire off the round to clear it. Or, you can take out the breach plug and push the bullet and pellets out. I load the gun before i go into the woods (slug and powder) and then put in the firing cap when i'm set up in the tree stand. I remove the firing cap when lowering the gun down from the stand.

[Doewhacker]

I hunt with it the same as any gun.

I load it most times before I go, carry a couple of quick loads and keep it simple. I don't unload it before I go home and have left a load in the gun for an extended period of time and had no issues with it firing when I do unload it. But I use Black Powder so its different for me. If you dont want it to go off, don't put a cap on it, no rocket science involved which is why I like it.

Each gun likes a different load and bullet, the fun is finding which one works for your set up. I use 90grns of Goex and a 385grn Hornady Great Plains Bullet, others use alot more powder and a lighter bullet. To each his own.

[virgil]

I use the pellets and did have a problem after leaving it loaded for a few weeks. But, my problem was probably because i kept the gun in my garage. Probably went through a few freeze/thaw cycles and developed condensation. Didn't realize there was a problem until i pulled the trigger on a small buck on the last day of my season last year.

[Meat Manager]

I mostly stay in a treestand or try to keep still as much as possible- shooting a deer on the move is tough when you have only one shot. I can tell you from personal experience- you should definitely unload the gun when your day's hunt is over to avoid condensation and wet powder/pellets- you can just fire off the round to clear it. Or, you can take out the breach plug and push the bullet and pellets out. I load the gun before i go into the woods (slug and powder) and then put in the firing cap when i'm set up in the tree stand. I remove the firing cap when lowering the gun down from the stand.

Thanks, this sounds like the method I am going to go with, seems to fit what I already do.

I hunt with it the same as any gun.

I load it most times before I go, carry a couple of quick loads and keep it simple. I don't unload it before I go home and have left a load in the gun for an extended period of time and had no issues with it firing when I do unload it. But I use Black Powder so its different for me. If you dont want it to go off, don't put a cap on it, no rocket science involved which is why I like it.

Each gun likes a different load and bullet, the fun is finding which one works for your set up. I use 90grns of Goex and a 385grn Hornady Great Plains Bullet, others use alot more powder and a lighter bullet. To each his own.

Thanks, I plan to use 100 pyrodex with these sst's for the rest of this season, but once I get a lot of time at the range i will be experimenting.

I use the pellets and did have a problem after leaving it loaded for a few weeks. But, my problem was probably because i kept the gun in my garage. Probably went through a few freeze/thaw cycles and developed condensation. Didn't realize there was a problem until i pulled the trigger on a small buck on the last day of my season last year.

Thanks, I am definetly gonna discharge after each outing...I'm accident and WTF proned!

[G-Man]

Discharge after use or at most a day or two if you can leave outside locked up. you'll save yourself a big head ache later.. I know it will be late to do this year but try loose power and pellets. pellets are fast but your gun might group great with 95 grains tough to get out of 2 50gr pellets. and yes 5 grains can make or brake a group. if you really get into it i think you will shoot loose powder over pellets as the consistance will be much greater. As for techniques this year is warm usually this time of year you can find food and back off of it downa main trail and sit in wait. I always treat every gun as though it is a single shot so walking jumpshooting is all possible with a muzzleloader. And practice reloading you can get extremely fast 4-5 shots well aimed in under a minute with a bit of practice. And Don't forget to clean it!! You'll also find out if you gun like to shoot dirty or clean at the range. mine prefers dirty.the first shot with a clean barrel is high and right but with a dirty barrel i can group a cloverleaf at 75yrds open sights.

[Meat Manager]

Discharge after use or at most a day or two if you can leave outside locked up. you'll save yourself a big head ache later.. I know it will be late to do this year but try loose power and pellets. pellets are fast but your gun might group great with 95 grains tough to get out of 2 50gr pellets. and yes 5 grains can make or brake a group. if you really get into it i think you will shoot loose powder over pellets as the consistance will be much greater. As for techniques this year is warm usually this time of year you can find food and back off of it downa main trail and sit in wait. I always treat every gun as though it is a single shot so walking jumpshooting is all possible with a muzzleloader. And practice reloading you can get extremely fast 4-5 shots well aimed in under a minute with a bit of practice. And Don't forget to clean it!! You'll also find out if you gun like to shoot dirty or clean at the range. mine prefers dirty.the first shot with a clean barrel is high and right but with a dirty barrel i can group a cloverleaf at 75yrds open sights.

Thanks that is alot of great info...like you said, a little late for fooling around with the mix this season, but I will have good reason to be a range rat this offseason!