Black Powder, White Smoke

I started hunting with Black Powder in 1983 and quickly found it to be my favorite season. I always liked single shot rifles and always said "Give me one good shot". So it was only natural for me to take to Black Powder.

When you use common sense, these guns are just as reliable as any other. I have hunted in all kinds of weather, sat there as ten inches of heavy wet snow fell and several times in rain. Never have I had a miss fire,(knock on wood).

I use only real Black Powder, my guns are cleaned after each shot at the range. I hunt with a clean gun, so I make sure I know where the gun is sighted using a clean barrel. It is messy and time consuming but the rewards are worth it.

Muzzle loaders I have used

Make, Model	Caliber	Charge	Bullet
T/C Renegade	.50 cal	100gr FF	370gr Maxi-Ball
Zouave	.58 cal	120gr FF	540gr (Lyman) Mini-Ball
T/C White Mountain	.50 cal	100gr FF	370gr Maxi-Ball
Traditions Pioneer	.54	110gr FF	Speer .530 round ball
T/C Thunder Hawk	.50 cal	100gr FF	460gr White
T/C Fire Hawk	.50 cal	100gr FF	460gr White
Ruger 77-50	.50 cal	125gr FF	MTI Sabot 435gr
Austin and Halleck 320	.50 cal	125gr FF	MTI Sabot 435gr
Ruger 77-50	.50 cal	125gr FF	Precision QT-Spitzer Sabot 300gr
Austin and Halleck 320	.50 cal	125gr FF	Precision QT-Spitzer Sabot 300gr
1792 Contract Rifle Flintlock	.54 cal	90gr FF	Hornady .530 round ball
1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle Flintlock	.54 cal	90gr FF Swiss	Hornady .530 round ball
Custom New England Style Fowler Flintlock	.12ga	82gr FF Swiss	.715 round ball
Custom New England Style Flintlock Rifle	.58 cal	90gr FFF Graff	.570 Hornady round ball

I have passed up alot of deer during Black Powder season. Prefering to take Bucks only. Sometimes that means tags go unfilled and I do have a pile of em. But that doesan't bother me in the least. I get a great deal of enjoyment just observing, and sometimes playing with deer I have no intention of harvesting. When things do come together and a shot is taken, I'm greatful and thankful for being able to.

( All weights are Hog Dressed )

Year	Animal	Weight	Firearm	Load used	Range
1989	6 point	135 lbs	T/C White Mtn.	370gr Maxi-Ball	40 yards
1990	6 point	132 lbs	T/C White Mtn.	370gr Maxi-Ball	15 yards
1990	8 point	200 lbs	T/C White Mtn.	370gr Maxi-Ball	40 yards
1991	Spike	125 lbs	T/C White Mtn.	370gr Maxi-Ball	65 yards
1992	6 point	135 lbs	T/C White Mtn.	370 gr Maxi-Ball	70 yards
1993	7 point	140 lbs	Traditions 54.	Speer .530 round ball	60 yards
1994	Spike	80 lbs	T/C Thunder Hawk	460gr White	50 yards
1995	5 point	125 lbs	T/C Thunder Hawk	460gr White	20 yards
1995	10 point	223 lbs	T/C Thunder Hawk	460gr White	70 yards
1996	5 point	125 lbs	T/C Fire Hawk	460gr White	25 yards
1997	4 point	115 lbs	Ruger 77-50	370gr Maxi-Ball	60 yards
1998	3 point	125 lbs	Ruger 77-50	MTI Sabot 435gr	25 yards
1998	Doe	105 lbs	Ruger 77-50	MTI Sabot 435gr	25 yards
1999	Spike	115 lbs	Ruger 77-50	MTI Sabot 435gr	40 yards
2000	7 point	150 lbs	Ruger 77-50	MTI Sabot 435gr	50 yards
2001	Doe	75 lbs	Austin and Halleck 320	MTI Sabot 435gr	50 yards
2001	3 point	120 lbs	Austin and Halleck 320	MTI Sabot 435gr	50 yards
2002	8 point	152 lbs	Austin and Halleck 320	MTI Sabot 435gr	50 yards
2003	Spike	90 lbs	Ruger 77-50	Precision QT-Spitzer Sabot300gr	105 yards
2003	Spike	65 lbs	Ruger 77-50	Precision QT-Spitzer Sabot300gr	85 yards
2003	Doe	70 lbs	Ruger 77-50	Precision QT-Spitzer Sabot300gr	30 yards
2004	Button Buck	60 lbs	1792 Contract Rifle	Hornady .530 round ball	50 yards
2004	8 point	132 lbs	1792 Contract Rifle	Hornady .530 round ball	20 yards
2005	Spike	80 lbs	1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle	Hornady .530 round ball	40 yards
2005	Doe	80 lbs	1803 Harpers Ferry Rifle	Hornady .530 round ball	25 yards
2005	Doe	70 lbs	1792 Contract Rifle	Hornady .530 round ball	70 yards
2006	Doe	90 lbs	1792 Contract Rifle	Hornady .530 round ball	70 yards
2007	8 point	160 lbs	Custom N.E Fowler Flintlock	.715 round ball	30 yards
2007	Doe	130 lbs	Custom N.E Fowler Flintlock	.715 round ball	75 yards
2008	Doe	100 lbs	Custom N.E Flintlock Rifle	Hornady .570 round ball	40 yards
2008	Forkhorn	110 lbs	Custom N.E Flintlock Rifle	Hornady .570 round ball	30 yards
2009	Doe	53 lbs	Custom N.E Flintlock Rifle	Hornady .570 round ball	35 yards

"Links"
"Swamp Rat"
"Makin Meat"
"Nimrod's Place"
"Prudence Island"
"Swamp Rat 2001"
"Prudence Island Map"
"Prudence facts and Info"
"Rhode Island facts and info"
"Lewis and Clark Tribute"

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