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  • What scope should I use on a slug gun I am setting up for next year?
    Jarrod from IA asks:
    Hey Bill, I'm looking to set up a shotgun for the future shotgun season in Iowa. I'm looking into a Remington 870 Express with a scope of some sort... What brand and what size of scope would you be looking for that isn't going to cost more then 150 bucks? Love the show and hoping to hear back from you.
    Winke Responds:
    Jarrod, Of course, I love Nikon. I have used their scopes exclusively since they started making them. I think they have something in that price range. Their scopes have extended eye relief so you don't have to get right up on them with a hard kicking slug gun and risk a forehead cut. I would look for something that is 3 - 5X or 3 - 6X Not sure what the powere range options are on those. You don't need anything past 6X for sure. Good luck. Merry Christmas. (12-22-11)
  • Some information on muzzleloader bullets that create a good blood trail.
    Michael from ON asks:
    Bill, Just wanted to give you a heads up about some experience I've had with different Muzzleloader bullets... When we first started hunting with them, we were using the standard powerbelt bullets with the plastic base. 4 deer shot, all kills, none exited the deer, no bloodtrails on any. I switched to the Bonded shockwave, I've shot one deer, complete pass-thru and tons of blood. Hope some readers can use the info
    Winke Responds:
    Michael, Great input. Thanks. Merry Christmas. (12-16-11)
  • Will putting tape over the end of muzzleloade barrel be safe? Will it affect accuracy?
    Mark from MI asks:
    Is it safe to use a piece of electrical tape over the barrel of my muzzleloader to protect it? Will it effect accuracy?
    Winke Responds:
    Mark, It is safe and it will not affect accuracy. The force of air as the bullet comes forward will blow it right off long before the bullet ever gets there. But, as a word of caution, I would not put anything stronger than tape over the end of the barrel - ever! Good luck. (12-8-11)
  • What is the best rifle for coyote hunting and where do I find one?
    Elijah from MN asks:
    I live in southeastern MN and I am planning on buying a rifle this winter for hunting coyotes. What kind of rifle would you recommend and where would be the best place to buy one from?
    Winke Responds:
    Elijah, I think the 243 is a good coyote caliber, or the 22-250. Most any manufacturer will produce at least one good gun in these calibers. The best place to buy the gun is somehere locally. For sure there must be a good gun shop in Rochester or Winona. Look to the local yellow pages to find find sporting goods stores. Some of them carry guns but the ones that don't might actually be of more benefit than the ones that do as they can tell you the best place locally to purchase guns. Many times, the best gun shops are small operations where you can get very good personal service. They can also also help you better decide on which caliber to purchase for all the types of hunting you plan to do with the gun. Good luck. (11-6-11)
  • What is the best load for rhe Knight Vision muzzleloader?
    Haas from IA asks:
    what is your recomendation for the best powder/load combination for a knight vision .50?
    Winke Responds:
    Haas, I am not a gun expert. I have shot them all my life but never got into the tech side like I have for archery. So I don't have any firsthand experience with that gun, nor have I worked up the perfect load for it. However, here is my thought. I would probably use two pellets of 777 powder and a 250 grain saboted bullet. That is not a revolutionary load, but it will produce plenty of punch for most normal distances and won't have wicked recoil that can lead to flinching. Good luck.
  • Which muzzleloader is better? Are the cheaper guns less accurate than the more expensive ones?
    James from MN asks:
    Hi Bill, I know you're mostly a bow hunter, but I am looking to buy a Muzzleloader for me and the wife (we just got married on Sat!!). I am going between T.C. and CVA. I see a lot of celebrity endorsements for the T.C. but I look at CVA and they say theres are better. I was wondering if you had any input on which might be a better buy. Also, they both have models ranging from $700 range down to $300 range and I was wondering if you lose accuracy with the lower end guns or just accessories. Hopefully this isn't an inappropiate question for you... Don't feel you need to choose a brand if you don't want to... As always thanks for your help!
    Winke Responds:
    James, Congrats on the marriage! I think most of the best guns are pretty similar now. The competition is too intense for one of the top companies to produce worse guns than the other. So, assume they are pretty much both accurate guns and focus on features. Does one have better features (easier to clean, for example) than the other? That is where the decision should hinge, also which one offers the best value - most features for the best price. I would also assume that the lower end guns are accurate enough for what you are going to use it for. I don't think they will intentionally put a lower quality barrel on those more affordable guns and risk losing brand value to the consumer. I would assume they are just as accurate as the higher cost guns. I won't pick a brand because I haven't done enough research to know which offers the better value, I will let you do that. Good luck.
  • Which is better for slug hunting a 12 or 20 gauge, smooth or rifled barrel?
    Tyler from IN asks:
    I live In Indiana I am going to go up to Wasau Wisconsin to go deer hunting and I am gonna buy a slug gun whats better 12 or 20 gauge and a rifled or smooth bore barrel
    Winke Responds:
    Tyler, For sure the 12 with the rifled barrel (with slugs designed for shooting out of rifled barrels) will be better if you can handle the recoil of the 12 gauge. We also use muzzleloaders during the shotgun season here in Iowa. I am not sure if they are legal in WI at that time, but if so, you may want to consider one of those instead. I feel that the muzzleloadder is more accurate, but you only get one shot. That is the only downside. Good luck.
  • What bullet have you used when setting up the muzzleloader for your kids to hunt? Pellets or loose powder?
    Cale from IA asks:
    I would like to take my nephew hunting early season with a muzzleloader. I know you have used a 50 grain load in the past for your kids. My question is what grain sabot do you use and are you using pellets or lose powder. Thanks!
    Winke Responds:
    Cale, I was using a pellet, but loose would be fine too. I used the 250 grain sabot. It drops off pretty fast beyond about 75 yards, but is a killer load out to at least that far. I shot a doe with it one time myself, just to make sure I was comfortable with it and I actually flinched because the recoil was so light! Good luck. Those youth hunts are awesome!
  • How far can you shoot the 50 grain powder load with the muzzleloader?
    Gary from IN asks:
    I am wondering how far you can shoot your sons muzzleloader with 50 grains?To kill a deer?I have 9 year old twins and have them using my muzzle loader with 50 grains also..( thanks to you n your son) Thank you Gary
    Winke Responds:
    Gary, The kids have killed deer with that load out to about 80 yards (maybe a bit farther) and it has performed very well. I would not hesitate to recommend it out to that distance. Mark Drury claims it is very effective at 100 yards also. Good luck to you and your twins.
  • Have you done any range or penetration testing with the single pellet of powder you use in the youth loads?
    Mark from IA asks:
    Bill- I enjoy your site for many reasons, including the excellent coverage of youth hunts. I was intrigued by your son's recent success utilizing a single pellet in the T/C. I have a son just getting into hunting, and we hope to have him hunting youth season next year. I am curious if you've done any range/penetration tests with the single pellet load. From a recoil standpoint, a single pellet seems like a no-brainer. Thanks again, Mark PS The rut here was excellent. Much better than last season.
    Winke Responds:
    Mark, You are one of the few with a good rut story to tell. Count your blessings. Not so good most places. I have not specifically done any testing but I got the tip from Mark Drury who was doing it with their daughter and reported good success out to 100 yards. The farthest our kids have shot is about 75 to 80 yards, but it has done very well at that range. I would say you are for sure safe on any size deer (no shoulder shots please) out to that range. Good luck.
  • Do you need to sight in a muzzeloader that has a scope?
    mohammada ali from MI asks:
    hey bill, it been a long time since you heard from me lol, i want to know if you need to sight in a muzzle loader that has a scope, thanks for all your help.
    Winke Responds:
    Absolutely. They need to be sighted in just as much as a bow.
  • How much will my bullet drop at 150 yards if it is sighted in for 75 yards?
    Kim from DE asks:
    I have a T/C Omega loaded with 2 50gr 777 pellets and a 250gr shockwave sabot. It is bullseye at 75yds and 2.5 inches low at 100yds. How much would this load be low at 150yds?
    Winke Responds:
    Kim, Nikon has a cool ballistic program that will help you to determine this answer when using one of their BDC reticle riflescopes. There are likely other programs online that will help you. Try searching under "bullet drop tables" or "bullet trajectory calculator". The website for Nikon is: http://www.nikonhunting.com/SpotOnRegistration/ Good luck. Bill
  • I have an early model Knight Rifle. Are the open sights accurate? Are they already sighted in?
    matt from TN asks:
    i have the very first model knight muzzleloader ive never hunted open sights with it are the open sights accurate and are they already sighted in... i wasnt sure but ive gotten a mixture of answers on this question thank you for your time matt
    Winke Responds:
    Matt, I doubt they are sighted in. I am much more accurate with a scope than with sights, but out to 75 yards (maybe 100 yards if you are good at lining them up the same each time) you should be fine. I am certain you will need to fine-tune the sights to get the gun shooting accurately.
  • How do you empty a muzzleloader after an unsuccessful hunt?
    Jamie from IN asks:
    I have a TC Omega and shoot 2 50-grain powder pellets with 250 grain Shockwaves. If I go on a hunt and don't fire the gun, what should I do at the end of the hunt? Fire the gun? Take the cap out and leave the powder and bullet in for the next hunt? Take the breech plug out and dump the pellets and then push the bullet out? If I do that, can I reuse the pellets and bullet or should I use new ones? Thanks.
    Winke Responds:
    Jamie, As long as the temperature and humidity are pretty stable, I would leave the load in for a few days. No problem there. I occassionally take the breech plug out between hunts just to make sure the hole hasn't become closed. Usually just a visual examination. When the hunts will be several days apart, consider taking the breech plug out and pushing the powder and bullet out the back. Be sure to clean it good. You can reuse the powder and the bullet, but to be safe at least replace the sabot.
  • Will pumpkin balls hit the same place as sabots and bullets from my new muzzleloader?
    Dalton from KS asks:
    My neighbor just gave me a knight 50 cal. black powder. I asked him why he gave it to me and he told me that he could not get it to hit a 3x3 piece of plywood at 25 yards. He moved the sights all around and still couldn't hit it. I have iron-sights on it and I took it up to Bass Pro to have them bore sight it. Any suggestions on what powder and sabots I should shoot. I also bought 100 rounds of pumpkin balls for target practice. Will they hit the same place? This gun is meant for 120 grains of powder, I want to shoot pellets and 100 grains of powder. Thanks and I love the show!!
    Winke Responds:
    Dalton, I am no gun expert but I have shot a number of Knights over the years. I am guessing the gun is better than your neighbor thinks. Two pellets should be plenty. I would go with a 250 grain saboted bullet. Almost any good brand will work. Pumpkin balls might hit the same place out to a short range, but not at longer distances.
  • Should I place a plastic bag over the barrel of my gun? My gun seems to shoot better with a fouled barrel; is there a way to foul the barrel without shooting a bullet?
    Nathaniel from MO asks:
    I am hunting with a TC Triumph this next week and I had a couple of questions. 1. It looks like it may rain and I was wondering if I should put a bag over the end of my barrel to prevent moisture from getting in. 2. My gun seems to be more accurate when a fouling shot is taken. Is this something you have found to be the case in your muzzleloaders. And can you shoot just a "powder load" with no bullet to achieve the fouling shot? thanks, Nathaniel
    Winke Responds:
    Nathaniel, Yes, you should cover the barrel. You can get by with just a few pieces of scotch tape. It will not affect accuracy. I have always sighted in with the barrel clean between shots so I don't know much about that one. I think I would try to sight-in for the clean barrel. If you keep the barrel "fouled" for long, corrosion will occur. Blackpowder is very corrosive and I would be reluctant to leave a gun fouled for long. Good luck.
  • I am setting up a gun for our daughter, but it kicks like a mule; is the loose powder we are using causing more recoil than pellets?
    Heath from KS asks:
    First let me just say again thank you for a great site, and thank you for making yourself available to answer questions. I hope you realize the impact you are having on families. You have a powerful ministry. My daughter has been my hunting buddy for the last two years. She is now 7 and really wanting to hunt. She has seen the other kids from the sight shoot the TC. I bought a 50 cal Traditions last January, and went out to sight it in yesterday. I am using Triple 7 powder 50 grains with a 250 gr shockwave. When I pulled the trigger, it kicks like a mule. I was scared to even let my 7 year old pull the trigger. Is there a difference in force between the pellets and powder? Thanks so much! Happy hunting.
    Winke Responds:
    Heath, I appreciate your support and am happy be able to help people. Loose powder does in fact burn hotter than pellets, but I wouldn't think it would be that much difference. Try 40 grains of loose, but it may be that the gun is light or something like that which is contributing to the increased recoil. When we set up with a single 50 grain pellet and a 250 grain bullet, the recoil is barely more than a 22. Maybe it is like a 243 or similar. Certainly not a hard hit. I am not certain why your gun is kicking so hard, has to be the weight of the gun.
  • How far can you shoot with a good scope and accurate gun?
    Dalton from AL asks:
    With an accurate gun and scope. What do u think is the farthest shot u would take?
    Winke Responds:
    Dalton, With a muzzleloader, probably about 150 yards for me. I'm not a long range marksman to be sure. But with a rifle, I have shot a few deer out to nearly 300 yards in Texas. I don't gun hunt enough to be a real good source of information on this subject. Top shooters will shoot much farther than this - they even have to play the wind.
  • I am trying to make a decision between two youth guns; any help?
    Rick from CT asks:
    Iam looking at buying a rifle for my 13 and 15 year old daughters. Iam torn between the savage 111 youth in .243 and the weatherby vangard youth in .243. Do you have any suggestions? Thanks for your input.
    Winke Responds:
    Rick, I think they are both great guns. My feeling would be to see what options you have for upgrading the stock once the girls get older. It would be ideal if the "youth" gun could become an "adult" gun with a simple stock change. That would probably be my deciding factor and not knowing those guns well enough, I will leave the research to you to determine if this is possible with one or both. I would then focus on a scope with pleny of eye relief so they don't have to crowd it. Granted, the .243 doessn't kick hard, but I still like to keep young hunters away from the scope as much as possible. We have been using Nikon scopes with the kids' guns here and they have great eye relief. Good luck. It is sure fun to take them out hunting!
  • What do you know about the .308 Marlin Express?
    Ben from MO asks:
    BIll, first thanks for putting this site up and doing a great job in updating it. I was interested in buying a 308 Marlin Express and was seeing if you had heard anything about it. Also do you believe a nickel or stainless barrel would stand out enough to make a difference in the number of deer I see. The silver barrels look nice but I was concerned the deer might think the same. Thank you again.
    Winke Responds:
    Ben, Thanks for your support. I know the .308 to be a very accurate round, but I don't know very much about that particular gun other than Marlin has a history of producing accurate lever guns. I know most experts won't consider the lever action to be a long-range gun, but this Marlin is reportedly the exception to that rule. If your shots are 200 yards and less, this should be a great choice.
  • What is the best gun for deer hunting?
    philip from ON asks:
    what kind of gun would works the best for deer
    Winke Responds:
    Phillip, I am guessing that where you live in Ontario you can use centerfire rifles. In that case, the best gun is probably a .270 caliber rifle. It is a perfect deer rifle, plenty of power but not too much recoil.
  • What load do you recommend for the TC Omega?
    Rick from CT asks:
    Bill, i just bought a TC omega, what do you think the best load and most accurate and best stopping power sabot would be, thank you for any advice and i like watching midwest whitetails.
    Winke Responds:
    Rick, I am assuming it is a .50 caliber gun. We shoot it with 150 grains (three pellets) of Pyrodex 777 with a 250 grain Barnes or TC Shockwave and a sabot. It is deadly. If you are recoil shy, you can load it down to 100 grains of powder and do just fine. In fact, we kill them (mostly the kids) with just a single 50 grain pellet and the 250 grain bullet, but that is getting a bit too light for shots past 75 yards and most adult men can easily handle 100 grains. For women and children the 50 grain powder load is a godsend. Good luck.
  • When adjusting the BDC scope, do you set the scope power for each ring or just once?
    jordan from IN asks:
    on the scope do you have to turn up the power for each cricle? or just on the first then leave it there?
    Winke Responds:
    Jordan, You just set the power for the first circle and then leave it after that. In other words, have one power setting that you have dialed in for all your longer range shots.
  • Can you offer more information on how to sight in using a BDC reticle scope?
    jordan from IN asks:
    can you email me a little bit more descriptive way of sighting in the bdc reticle for a muzzleloader. i;ve never used a scope like this and my dad doesnt even hunt so i dont know how to sight it in right.
    Winke Responds:
    Jordan, Set the crosshair for 100 yards and then use the next ring down as you take a shot at 150 yards. Set the scope for 5 or 6 power. If it doesn't hit dead-on, turn the scope to higher power if it is hitting low or to lower power if it is hitting high. This won't affect your zero at 100 yards since the crosshair is at the very middle of the scope. Next, test it and determine where the next right hits - it will likely be dead-on somewhere around 200 yards (give or take). Personally, I don't see a reason to shoot past 200 yards, but to each his own. The circles should indicate 150, roughly 200, roughly 225 and roughly 250, but you will need to test it determine the exact zero distances of the other circles by moving the target farther or closer. You may want to make a mark on the scope to signify the power at which the gun zeros for the longer distances so you remember to set it there when taking the longer shots.
  • Should I use 100 grains or 150 grains of powder with my .45 caliber muzzleloader?
    jordan from IN asks:
    if im using a bdc reticle would it be better for me to shoot 150 grains of powder or 100 grains of powder if im using a 225 grain 45 cal. bullet?
    Winke Responds:
    Jordan, personally, I would use the 100 grains of powder. That is plenty of firepower. You'll have to tune the scope power to your trajectory when you are sighting in, so it should work fine. Good luck.
  • Can I use a Nikon Prostaff BDC scope on my muzzleloader?
    jordan from IN asks:
    will a nikon prostaff bdc reticle rifle scope work ontop of a muzzle loader ? if so if i shoot 150 grains and a 200 grain bullet what would each reticle stand for? -jordan
    Winke Responds:
    Jordan, Yes, the way I understand the BDC, it is independent of bullet speed, so you have to "tune" the scope to your gun and load. For example, let's say you set the crosshair to be right on at 100 yards and want the first ring to be right on at 150 yards. You will need to figure out what scope power setting you have to put the scope on in order for the ring to be dead on at 150. Then you will have to shoot the gun at various ranges to determine for yourself what distance each remaining ring zeros at. The next ring may be 200 or 220, or whatever. You need to shoot it to find out. Again, you pick your load first and then "tune" the scope to that bullet's trajectory by adjusting the power setting that you use when taking the longer shots.
  • How do you know what power to set a Nikon BDC reticle scope to when using the rings to aim?
    jordan from IN asks:
    Winke i recently perchased a nikon bdc reticle scope. if i shoot 150 grains through a .50 calibre muzzle loader what sohuld i sight it in for and what would each circle stand for.
    Winke Responds:
    Jordan, Every situation is a bit different. You should sight-in for the crosshair at 100 yards. Next move back to 150 yards. Turn the power up or down until shots taken while using your 150 yard ring are right on the mark. Next give it a try at 200 yards to see if it is still on the mark. If not, you may need to raise or lower your power slightly to put the impact in the right place.
  • What is the range of a muzzleloader? Are they as accurate as rifles?
    Sam from WI asks:
    Hi Bill, love the show. I'm 16 and just recieved my first muzzleloader. Not knowing much about muzzleloaders, I'm eager to get to the range to test its capabilities. It's a CVA Buckhorn .50 cal. gun. Just a few questions. Are muzzleloaders as accurate as rifles? Do they have as much range as a typical rifle does? Since wisconsin doesn't allow more than one power scopes on muzzleloaders, what do u reccomend sight wise?
    Winke Responds:
    Sam, They can be as accurate as rifles out to about 150 yards. Their trajectory is more looping so range estimation becomes a big factor with a muzzleloader past about 150 yards. That will limit your maximum range simply because the bullet drops a lot making range estimation really critical. I would go with the open sights in that case. Open sights are nice for acquring the target quickly. I would say that under those conditions, a 100 yard shot would have to be considered a good maximum. Good luck with the new gun.
  • How can I tell using my ramrod that my Traditions muzzlelaoder is loaded?
    Rian from IA asks:
    I recently purchased a Traditions Buckstalker Breakopen Muzzleloader and I have seen on the video that comes with this package that when the muzzle is loaded and packed down the rod sticks out about 3 to 4 inches. Now with the rod that mine came with when I put in 150 grains of pelleted Triple 7 and a saboted bullet the rod still barely comed out of the bore. Is this right or is there something else I should do?
    Winke Responds:
    Rian, I think you need to go with your actual experience because the video is probably offering a rule of thumb, or may have actually been produced for a different gun and then just placed in all subsequent guns because it is easier than producing a new one. I would defintely load the way you will hunt, take a measurement with your rod, mark on it with a strip of duct tape and you should be good to go.
  • Is 130 grain the best bullet for a .270?
    brett Miles from OK asks:
    Bill, love the show and i really appriciate everything that you are doing. It has been quite the inspiration for me and encouraged me to be more enticed by the sport of bowhunting. I havnt shot a deer yet but was wondering what type of grain i should be using for a 270 remington model 700. Does 130 sound about right, or do the bullet grain and bullet type even matter for killing a deer.
    Winke Responds:
    Brett, The 130 grain and 150 grain both will do just fine. The lighter bullet is just a bit faster and flatter and is likely what I would select. Good luck. It is an awesome lifestyle.
  • What load do you use for the TC Triumph?
    Michael from ON asks:
    Bill, I just recently bought a TC Triumph Bone Collector and was curious what loads you and the ProStaff are using in the triumph?? Thanks in advance, Michael
    Winke Responds:
    Michael, I have been using 3 pellets of Pyrodex 777 and a 250 grain bullet with a sabot. I have used the TC bullets (Shockwave) and they are very good. They mushroom nicely even at the slower speeds we get from the gun when we load it down for the kids (we use just 1 pellet of powder and the 250 grain bullet for the kids.) Good luck.
  • What is the best rifle for deer?
    Joe from PA asks:
    What is the best gun for whitetails?
    Winke Responds:
    Joe, I have never professed to be a gun expert, but most people would probably say the .270 is the most versatile deer caliber. I have a couple of them myself. Bolt-action guns tend to be more accurate due to the way they are built with the barrel and action all in one solid piece.
  • My .270 is great for deer, but will it also work for bear and elk?
    Sam from WI asks:
    I bought a Rem M700 recently in .270 WIN and have already shot my first deer with it. My question is, Do you think .270 cal is a large enough caliber to go big game hunting such as elk and bear?
    Winke Responds:
    Sam, It is sure big enough for black bear (a bit light for grizzly and brown) but is marginal for elk. If you are careful with your shot selection, you can make it work for elk too. Tons of elk have been shot with the .270, but is a tad on the light side.
  • Have you heard or Breneke slugs and are they good?
    Dusty from OH asks:
    have your ever heard of breneke slugs....are they good
    Winke Responds:
    Dusty, I have heard of them and they are supposed to be good but I have not shot them. There are many good ones out there now. I have shot Winchester's sabotted slugs through slug barrels very accurately too. Good luck.
  • What would be better for 500 yard shots: a 20 gauge shotgun or .45 caliber muzzleloader?
    jordan from IN asks:
    i was wondering what you think i should be using this year for deer. a 20 gauge shot with a single reticle scope or a 45 caliber muzzleloader with a bdc reticle sighted in to shoot 500 yards, because i am hunting just inside the woods line, but i can still see to shoot into the field, but im worried about needing a second shot in the brush because of deflection.
    Winke Responds:
    Jordan, I can't see how you can get 500 yards out of either gun. I would focus on 150 yards maximum. That is a realistic maximum for both guns. Of the two, I like the muzzleloader because they are inherently more accurate, but if you think you need the extra shots, the shotgun is the better option. I don't think deflection will be an issue. If you can see the deer well enough to safely and ethically shoot at it, the brush is likely thin enough reduce any deflection risk. Don't shoot if you can't see the deer clearly. Too dangerous!
  • How can I fix the trigger on my gun that is stuck?
    Ryan from OK asks:
    How to fix the trigger on the thompson center encore pro hunter it is stuck.
    Winke Responds:
    Ryan, You going to have to take that to a TC dealer or at the very least, a good gunsmith. I know just enough about the triggers of a gun to be dangerous, so I am sorry that I can't be of much help personally.
  • Can I use 50 grains of powder and 250 grain bullet in my Knight muzzleloader?
    randy from IA asks:
    Bill, could I use that same 250 gr. bullet and 50 gr. of powder in my old kight rifle with #11 primer ? Thanks Randy
    Winke Responds:
    Randy, Yes, in fact, if you use 50 grains of loose powder instead of the pellets you will get a slightly hotter burn and better muzzle velocity than we are getting with the single pellet. Good luck. Bill
  • Why did your TC muzzleloaders knock the deer down in their tracks last year?
    Keith from IL asks:
    After watching all of the episodes from 2008, I noticed that almost if not all of the times you shot a deer with the TC, the deer dropped in its tracks! I'm sure you guys are all pretty good shots, but does that thing have some serious knockdown power or was it because you were shooting them just perfectly? Also, do you guys have only Thompson Center Muzzleloaders or TC shotguns as well? Sweeeeet Show!
    Winke Responds:
    Keith, We were using the TC bullet too and it performed well. Early in the season we did a show displaying the mushroom shape of one of the bullets after we cut it out of our son Andrew's buck. But mostly it was just coincidence. I have had a number of muzzleloader shot bucks hit right in the lungs run 75 yards before piling up. So I wouldn't read too much into that. However, we do love the TC Triumph. It is a great gun. Very accurate. We shot only the muzzleloaders during both the regular shotgun season and during the late season. TC makes a rifled slug barrel for some of their guns, but to me, I would rather have the accuracy of the muzzleloader over the fast reload time of the shotgun.
  • What is the best strategy for low light accuracy with my shotgun slugs?
    dave from IL asks:
    hey bill! love the show!...i am looking to by a scope for my mossberg 535....i've heard a couple ways of helping in the woods shooting ...(also almost dark shooting)...like having the scope raised so wen its dark u can aim with the sights under it!.....my question is what kind of a scope you would use for king of long range shooting(50-100 yards)...and also dark or almost dark shooting!....thanks! dave
    Winke Responds:
    Dave, Most of the time, those raised scopes are not to improve low light visibility, but rather to improve the ability to aquire the target quickly if it is moving in thick cover, for example. You can use the open sights for the fast, close work and the scope for the longer, more controlled shots. Variable power scopes also make that easier. Actually, with any good scope the scope will draw in more light than your eyeball, making it clearer and brighter than your vision at these times. A good scope for low light shooting would be something like Nikon's Monarch 2.5 to 10 power 50 mm objective scope. At the low power you can quickly acquire the target and at the higher power you can shoot accurately at longer ranges. Also, the 50 mm will gather lots of light.
  • Adjusting Trigger Tension
    Ken from OH asks:
    I recently purchased a T/C Pro Hunter Endeavor 209x50. I did not care for the 7+ lb pull of the factory trigger, good and crisp, just a bit heavy. I replaced it with a new trigger spring and heavier hammer spring which now yields a 2.25 lb pull. However the swing hammer is a pain to pull with the scope mounted, could see it being a bear in the field with colder temps. Do they make, or can one fabricate a longer swivel hammer to allow more grip???
    Winke Responds:
    Ken, I asked my contact at TC specifically about this and got this answer: the trigger and hammer mechanism on the Encore pro Hunter is a very delicate balance to maintain the performance and safety of the gun. Thompson Center discourages and will void an owner’s warranty if alterations are made by someone other than the company’s Custom Shop or Repair Shop. The triggers on the Pro Hunter are set to break between 3.5 and 5lbs and when requested they will make adjustments as long as it is within T/C’s strict quality guidelines. The Swing Hammer feature on the Pro Hunter allows users to adjust where the spur of the hammer is placed. This hammer is also part of the finely tuned mechanism. By adding extensions, you are also adding unbalanced weight to the hammer which will cause damage to the springs inside. Instead of adding an extension, consider placing the Hammer in the left position. If you’re right-handed, your thumb naturally falls on the left side of the stock making access to the hammer easier even with a low scope. Give it a try! I hope that helps. Bill
  • Pellets versus Loose Powder
    Mike from NJ asks:
    Bill, I use a TC Omega with 120 grains of triple seven powder and hornady sst sabot bullets for the muzzleloader season. I would like to try using the triple seven pellets but have only seen them in 50 and 30 grain loads. After shooting several rounds with different powderloads starting at 90 grains 120 was the best. I did'nt think I really had to use a heavier load because I am only hunting whitetails here in Jersey. My question is, could I load 4 30grain pellets? This along with the sabot seems a bit much does'nt it? Do you know if anyone plans on producing a 40 grain pellet? Thank you for any information.
    Winke Responds:
    Mike, I'm not a huge gun expert so I called a friend who is. He told me that loose powder actually ignites easier than pellets and he likes it for that reason. Loose powder also loads quicker than pellets. It is also a bit cheaper to shoot because you get more shots per pound of powder. Unless you have a really good reason to switch, your best strategy is simply to keep shooting the loose powder. However, if you really want to give pellets a try, 150 grains (three 50-grain pellets) with a 250 grain bullet would be the standard load. Good luck. Bill
  • Which Scope to Buy
    Matt from NY asks:
    I recently acquired a .300 win mag from a family member and wanted to put a nice scope on it. A friend of mine suggested the turrett scopes from Cabelas. The specific one fits on most rifles and is sighted in to account for the most popular loads for the guns. What are you feelings on these scopes? With the power of the .300 ( I am close to paper at 350 yds with the stock scope) I want to make sure I have a quality scope for the distance and money. Any suggestions? Thanks.
    Winke Responds:
    For sure there are many good scopes on the market, but bear in mind that one of the company's sponsoring the show and the site is Nikon, so I am going to be partial to their products. I went to Nikon for their sponsorship because I love their products, so they didn't buy my vote. They simply sponsor the show. We were using Nikon before the show or website ever came along. I am not familiar with the Cabela's scope, but it is likely made by a reputable scope manufacturer - Cabela's doesn't manufacture anything directly. It is all subbed out to other manufacturers. I am not sure who is building that one. Sorry I am not a scope expert, but I hope I helped you at least a little bit. Good luck. Bill