Sounds like a good topic for a survey. All the best...
Gil

Thompson Center Hawkin .50 cal side lock Custom built...

I use a Pennsylvannia Hunter T/C Percussion ( when my Daughter lets me) 75gr FFF .015" patch, .495" ball, snug fit shoots great, not hard to load.

I started out with a 54 cal. Hawkin, It weighed a ton. I finally broke down and went to an in-line, Thompson Encore 50 cal. Simple to use and clean. I have killed more deer with the Hawkin, never had to chase many with the big 54 cal slug I used, on the other hand, the in-line I am using a 245 gr. pistol bullet with a sabot, more accurate less knock down power, had to track most of the deer I shot. This year I switched to a 300 gr. Shock Wave by TC. shoots good with 100 gr. of powder, never got a shot this year though.
Jerry

I have a cva50 cal. inline and it is a great shooter I have taken whitetails at 125 yards with no problems.But I have a hawken 50 cal. I put together from parts I bought here and there.I love shooting them round balls and I have taken one whitetail so far with it.Its really hard to pick one.

Welcome to the HuntingNut wheelgun sit and stay a while
Joe

Crackshot wrote:

Inlines are for lazy Primitive hunters. (this will get this forum humming)

The only decent muzzleloader is the Savage ML10 smokeless inline muzzleloader. The rest of these things are just for folks who are trying to justify themselves as "primitive hunters", but can't keep the cord smoking on a matchlock and can't hit the side of a barn from the inside with a bow and arrow.

GO SMOKELESS. RAH!! RAH!! RAH!!

chuck41 wrote:

Crackshot wrote: Inlines are for lazy Primitive hunters. (this will get this forum humming) The only decent muzzleloader is the Savage ML10 smokeless inline muzzleloader. The rest of these things are just for folks who are trying to justify themselves as "primitive hunters", but can't keep the cord smoking on a matchlock and can't hit the side of a barn from the inside with a bow and arrow. GO SMOKELESS. RAH!! RAH!! RAH!!

Pretty Strong Words there Chuck..Hope you can back it up with your shooting skills..LOL and I am a fair shot with a bow.

And I'm a damned good shot with my T/C Hawken...

Actually, throughout the 19th century, there were many types of rifles that could be called 'inlines'. The most famous was probably the 1st Remington Rolling Block muzzleloader. The First US Patent for a working In-Line Rifle was issued in 1822. But, like most things, it was slow to catch on....too slow as it worked out.

When the percussion cap was invented in 1802, it was slow to catch on. Flintlocks were still in wide use even up to the War For Southen Independence. What really kept the In-Line from being widely used was the invention of the self-contained metallic cartridge. With more time, In-Lines might have supplanted Side-Locks, especially with the new breechloaders comming out.

Personally, I don't consider In-Lines as a Primitve weapon. It's not just that they have a different design for the ignition system. There's more to it than that. They are designed to shoot heavier powder charges, sabots, mount modern scopes, have light synthetic stocks, and many other modern convieniences. The are simply a modern rifle that shoots loose ammunition. Thier performance is equal to, and somemes surpasses modern cartridge rifles. They should not be allowed in Muzzleloading seasons.

And it's not like the same difference between Compound and Primitive bows. The only advantage a compound has is the ability to hold it a full draw with little force, making it easier for a less skilled archer to shoot accuratly. 50 Lbs. is 50 Lbs. An arrow shot from a 50 Lb. Compound, or a 50 Lb. Recurve will perfom very similar. And crossbows actually have a diminished performance from both types of bows. So there can be no justification here. (In Ga., it has been argued that compounds should not be allowed during archery season, but's it's an argument with no substance).

If you are going to go muzzleloading, then stick to the spirit of it and use a side-lock. Over half of the appeal is the historical ramifications.

Just my opinion.

Semper Fi!

In my state the law merely says "muzzle loader". There is no differentiation between matchlocks, wheel locks, flintlocks, caplocks or etc. If it loads from the muzzle, it's a muzzle loader. I have used and built several caplocks in the Hawken style and enjoyed hunting with them. My wife surprised me too with an inline one year. It is the .50 caliber Pedersoli version of a Remington Rolling Block using 209 shotgun primers for ignition. With its very fast twist (1/22") it loves long, heavy bullets and is a tack-driver with them.

Where the local laws say "primitive", I would agree that only original designs should apply. This still allows for considerable leeway since a multitude of designs exist that still fit this narrow criteria.

I do get concerned when I see the "smokeless powder" muzzle loaders. I'm always afraid that the usual brainless Nimrods that abound in any sport won't get it that they don't just dump a measure full of powder in and start shooting! I guess that defines "selective evolution".

Bottom line is that if it's legal and ethical to use, feel free and we all can celebrate the fact that we have choices.

Crackshot, does your inline load itself? Mine loads EXACTLY like my Pennsylvania rifle: pour powder, seat bullet and cap... (LOL! I had to "hum" some!)

No, My Daughter loads it for me.