Hey wtn - scope?

[Turkeygirl]

What's the difference between a scope designated for a muzzleloader vs. a rifle scope? Was just going to get a rifle scope for on the muzzleloader but wondered if there is any major difference or benefit of one over the other?

[wtnhunt]

Regular rifle scopes should be fine Ruth.  I have a standard nikon prostaff 3-9x40 with bdc reticle on my accura.  I did have to go to the higher durasight mount to have clearance for the hammer.  I bought my wife the nikon inline xr muzzleloader scope for the accura I bought for her. 

The muzzleloader scopes often have shorter tubes and a little longer eye relief.  

[Turkeygirl]

Thanks wtn. I was looking at the Nikon Inline scope for my Accura. What scope mount did you use for that on your wife's gun and has she had any issues with the scope? My Accura has the Durasight mount it came with.

[Turkeygirl]

Looking at the ML scopes, it sounds like they're designed so as to sight in based on specific bullet/powder load. I think I may just end up with like a riflescope like a Nikon ProStaff, just sight in. Maybe you can shed some light on how your wife's scope was to sight in vs yours on a ML?

[wtnhunt]

I gave my wife hers for an anniversary gift just last month(Nov 20).  She set the scope in the mount and got eye relief set for her.  She has not shot it yet though.  cva swapped mounts free of charge for me.  I went to the taller mount to get clearance for the hammer spur.  It was so close with the low mount on my gun that scope caps would not even fit.  

I will take some pics of both for you when i get a chance. 

The bdc will only get you close with either, you should shoot your gun at different ranges with either to know for certain and to have that confidence in knowing where it will hit.

[wtnhunt]

Mine is the RT version on the top, notice the scope is longer, less eye relief, and is on the higher mount.  Catrina's is the black or lower rifle and can see the scope tube is shorter and it actually clears fine with the standard durasight mount.  Her scope caps clear as well.  Both are nikon 3-9x40 scopes.  Mine has a prostaff and hers is the inline xr.

[Turkeygirl]

Thanks wtn! Good looking guns! My Accura has the thumbhole stock, nitride finish. Was wondering how many shots you got through yours before cleaning the breech plug? Mine really seemed to crud up and even the firing pin area would start to get a little caked, does yours as well? Wasn't sure if that's normal or maybe my breech doesn't seal well?

[wtnhunt]

Getting a little blowback and residue is normal, but I have not had enough to really cause any issues during practice shooting sessions.  The only time I had an issue was after letting the gun sit and not disassembling and cleaning the firing pin.  I had probably 40-50 shots through the gun without cleaning the firing pin assembly.  It got sticky and had an issue on a cold morning hunting with it not striking my primer hard enough to fire. 

You would know if you did not get your breech plug turned in all the way, the action would not close.  Might try a little super lube or bore butter on the threads to make sure it is a solid seal, but you should not be getting blowback out the threads of the breech.   

I clean the breech every time I disassemble the gun, during practices I don't usually clean it.  I do usually break the gun down after practice sessions regardless of number of shots.   I usually only run a spit patch and then a dry patch between shots.  If it seems to be getting harder to load or groups opening up I will run a patch with some bore cleaner down the barrel and then a few dry patches, then fire a primer with the gun unloaded to clear any moisture and should aid clearing out the breech as well.  I have had a few occasions where I had to pull the plug for patches getting hung, but that does not happen very often and is a simple fix anyway.