The pale morning light crept through my blind window, and my deer senses tingled. Seconds later, a nice white-tailed buck jumped the fence and ambled down the tree row. I steadied my trusty Traditions muzzleloader on a set of shooting sticks and found the deer in my scope. I bleated when the buck was broadside and stopped him in his tracks. A second later, a cloud of gray smoke belched from my barrel, followed by the resounding whack of the bullet finding its mark.
What is the first thing you do after shooting at an animal with a muzzleloader? Watch it until it disappears, and mark the spot so that it is easy to find. The next thing to accomplish is to reload as quickly as possible. Being prepared and organized means you will never be caught flat-footed if a follow-up shot or an extra opportunity arises.
Possibles
Most muzzleloader enthusiasts carry a possibles bag. For many, it is a fanny pack to keep the extra gear to load, fire, and deal with any challenges in the field. I use an ALPS Big Bear or Pathfinder fanny pack or one of its daypacks. There is plenty of room for all the essentials. However, it has enough pockets and compartments to stay organized.
Knowing where your gear is and accessing it is as important as packing it. After shooting the buck, I found a speed loader, which allowed me to charge the rifle and put a bullet down the barrel in no time. Being intimate with your gear and anticipating when to access it is part of being a muzzleloader enthusiast.
Essentials
A list of essentials changes drastically depending on the type of muzzleloader you shoot. A sidelock or flintlock requires everything from powder measure and flask or horn to a funnel, round balls, and bullets. A bullet starter will keep you aligned, and a ramrod should be securely stored beneath your barrel. Accessories like a palm saver to push the ramrod, a capper, and even a path puller are prudent to have in the possible bag.
A few speed loaders are a hunter’s best friend if you use a modern muzzleloader like the Traditions Vortek StrikerFire, Buckstalker, or Pursuit. The sealed tubes keep a bullet and powder aligned and keep the propellant protected and dry from the elements. You may consider keeping the loaders and your capper in a sealable bag for protection. A cleaning jag, some patches, and even a nipple pick are prudent to have, even if you never think you’ll need it.
If you are using a NitroFire, the essentials become less, as the propellant is encapsulated in a FireStick, and a 209 primer can be inserted into the stick ahead of time. Having a bullet to run down the barrel means you are ready for a follow-up shot in seconds by inserting a fresh FireStick.
Game changer!
The evolution of muzzleloaders has been interesting to watch. Durability, accuracy, consistency, and ease of cleaning and maintenance continue to change muzzleloading at an amazing rate. Changes in firearm design continue to inspire hunters and shooters, with no end in sight.
Occasionally, changes come to accessories that make most hunters say, “Why didn’t they think of this sooner?”
The new RAM-T Rod takes field loading and cleaning to a new level — the rod telescopes to provide an additional 3.5 inches of length for loading or cleaning. A quarter turn of the telescoping portion of the rod extends it, and turning it back locks it in place. The T-handle easily flips out for easy access without extra pieces. Store the handle and telescope the rod to the storage position, and it can be slid back into the eyelets that hold it under the barrel.
The RAM-T Rod is made of anodized aluminum, keeping it lightweight. It comes with a 10/32 brass loading tip and can be used with 45- or 50-caliber muzzleloaders. The new rod is available in three sizes for 24, 26, and 28-inch barrels. A specialized rod is available for the Vortek StrikerFire to accommodate the longer barrel, being 24.5 inches long when closed and 28 inches when fully extended. It fits Vortek StrikerFire models with a 28-inch barrel. Always be sure to measure your current ramrod or check to make sure this ramrod will fit your firearm.
Backcountry
I have an accessories pack list crucial to my success when packing for a backcountry adventure. It is everything needed to hunt successfully and troubleshoot any problems. Here is the list of things to consider when hunting with a Vortek StrikerFire.
Shooting gear:
- Triple Seven loose powder (canister left in the main camp)
- Powder flask to take on hunt (enough volume to hold powder for ten magnum loads)
- Powder measure
- Six speed-loaders (preloaded)
- One capping tool filled with 209 primers.
- 20 Traditions Carnivore bullets
- A Ziploc bag stores all shooting components in a dry environment.
I take extra powder and bullets in case my rifle or scope gets bumped or banged in the rugged and rocky terrain. Accidents are unpredictable, but being prepared means you have the powder and bullets to check your zero or sight in if necessary.
Cleaning supplies:
- Sealable bag of 50 presoaked cleaning patches
- 100 dry patches
- Wire brush
- Screw in T handle to turn ramrod into cleaning rod
- Cleaning jag
- Small tube of breech plug lubricant
- A small bottle of cleaning solvent
- Ziploc bag to store supplies and prevent leaks or spills
Make a list and check it twice. Once you are away from civilization, the only supplies to resolve challenges are in your possibles bag.
Cleaning Made Easy
Not long ago, a muzzleloader needed to be completely broken down and cleaned properly. This involved heating water and ensuring you had dish soap to cut through the greasy fouling left in the barrel.
With advancements in muzzleloaders, ignition systems, and powder options, cleaning a modern muzzleloader has never been easier. Some specific products on the market will minimize stress and time spent cleaning.
It is critical to know your cleaning products and propellants. Black powder, Pyrodex, and TripleSeven are water-soluble and can be cleaned with traditional water-based solvents. Newer propellants, like the TripleEight in a FireStick or Blackhorn 209, are oil-based and require a special solvent. Knowing the difference is crucial to preventing fouling and buildup within the barrel. The Blackout 209 is a specialized solvent-based cleaner from Traditions that can be used in any muzzleloader that shoots modern black powder equivalent that is oil based.
Powder Storage
Black powder and modern substitutes seek out moisture like a parched sponge. It can be the downfall for a hunter or shooter wanting the utmost accuracy. Powder storage is of paramount importance for accuracy from year to year. If you store your powder in the garage or basement, it will find moisture before you use it next season. Once powder absorbs any moisture, the burn rate and energy produced will change. The problem can be even worse if you live in a humid climate or on the coast, where you must go the extra mile to store your powder to ensure it will not draw moisture.
I like to use an MTM Case Guard Muzzleloader Dry Box. The case provides a controlled environment to protect the powder from moisture at home or in the field. The Muzzleloader Dry Box doubles as a possibles bag/box with several compartments and trays for storage. The lid is divided into compartments for easy storage and access to tools and accessories. Keep moisture and critters out with the thick, durable walls, heavy-duty latch, and tight, weather-resistant O-ring seal.
Accessories
Traditions Performance Firearms has a complete line of accessories to outfit a hunter, help troubleshoot challenges in the field, and clean and maintain a muzzleloader to ensure consistent and accurate results. Knowing what accessories are available is important, and surfing the Traditions website under accessories can be enlightening.
A good example is the bore lights that can light and inspect the rifling in the barrel. A deluxe hammer extension is a wonderful add-on for easily cocking the hammer on most muzzleloaders.
The kits are worth considering, as everything required for your possibles bag can be purchased as one unit. It is economical to secure a kit rather than buy each piece individually.
Breech plugs, accessory tools, specialized wrenches, and even new O-rings for your breech plug can be ordered. Field cleaning kits with belt pouches make it easy to pack everything. Home cleaning kits for deep scrubbing ensure proper maintenance for any muzzleloader. Traditions have done a stellar job of creating kits to solve problems, from breech and nipple cleaning to having the essentials to hunt.
