EP 151: Performance Muzzleloading | Product Insights

This video documents a hunting trip during the Illinois gun season, focusing on the performance of the new Thompson Center Encore Pro Hunter muzzleloader. The hunt highlights the importance of modern muzzleloader technology, including specialized powders like Blackhorn 209 and custom turrets for extended range accuracy. The narrative follows the challenges of hunting pressured deer, emphasizing strategy and patience in achieving a successful harvest.

John G. Johnson, a firearms instructor, details his muzzleloader hunting experience in South Florida during the second weekend of the season. He discusses strategic positioning near game trails and edges, particularly focusing on areas with oak trees for acorns, which attract both deer and hogs. While opportunities arose for hogs and turkeys, the primary goal was deer hunting, with a .50 caliber muzzleloader prepared for potential shots.

This guide details an elk hunt in Western New Mexico using a high-end, $10,000 muzzleloader built on a Remington 700 action. It covers the entire 'Field to Table' process, from the hunt and harvest to the detailed butchering and processing of the animal. The instruction emphasizes ethical harvesting and efficient meat utilization, showcasing advanced muzzleloading techniques and equipment.

This video documents a muzzleloader elk hunt in New Mexico, highlighting the challenges and strategies involved in long-range hunting. The hunters emphasize the importance of scouting, glassing, and understanding ballistics for successful shots. They also discuss managing recoil and the benefits of muzzleloader tags for increased opportunity. The hunt culminates in a successful harvest of a mature bull elk.

This video features Jason Naseeboh from CVA discussing the development and features of the CVA Paramount long-range muzzleloader. The discussion highlights the transition from .50 caliber to .45 caliber for improved accuracy and velocity, the two-year development process, and the innovative bolt system designed to eliminate blowback. Key features like the TriggerTech adjustable trigger, free-floating barrel, and the Powerbelt ELR bullet are detailed, positioning the Paramount as a revolutionary product in the muzzleloading industry.

This video details the critical importance of understanding muzzleloader bullet performance and determining ethical shooting ranges. Instructor Mike Davidson emphasizes that just because a muzzleloader can hit a target at extreme distances (like 850 yards) doesn't mean the bullet will perform effectively or ethically. He explains how to use manufacturer data and ballistics calculators to find a bullet's optimal velocity window for expansion, thereby establishing a practical maximum range for humane kills. The guide highlights a specific 325-grain muzzleloader bullet with an aluminum tip, noting its effective expansion down to 1300-1400 ft/s, which translates to a practical range limit of around 550 yards under certain conditions.

This guide details the advanced technique for executing a long-range elk hunt, as demonstrated by a 12-year-old hunter under expert supervision. It emphasizes precise range estimation, scope adjustment using ballistic turrets, and marksmanship fundamentals for a successful shot at extreme distances (1376 yards). The process highlights the importance of preparation, practice, and specialized equipment for challenging hunting scenarios.

This expert guide from Gunwerks demonstrates the significant impact of the Coriolis effect on long-range bullet trajectory. Jeremy Winters, a Gunwerks Product Specialist, explains how Earth's rotation can shift Point of Impact (POI) by over 1 MOA at 1000 yards when shooting East or West. The video provides a live-fire demonstration and recommends shooting North or South to collect accurate ballistic data, minimizing Coriolis-induced errors.

This guide details the process of transforming a factory Remington Model 700 Sendero into a more capable long-range rifle, as demonstrated by Mike Davidson from Gunwerks. Key steps include a trigger upgrade to a 2-pound pull and a precision bedding job using Devcon Aluminum Putty to ensure action stability. The process emphasizes proper disassembly, careful application of bedding materials, and correct reassembly with specific torque values for action screws.

This video demonstrates a professional long-range coyote hunt in Montana, showcasing the effective use of a Gunwerks rifle. Dustin Butler, a representative for Gunwerks, highlights the 'range, dial, and kill' method for successful predator engagement at various distances, from close encounters to over 500 yards. The guide emphasizes proficiency with long-range optics and equipment for accurate shots in challenging terrain.