45. cal Apex

[paul23]

Just got my first chance to shoot my Winchester Apex in 45. caliber. Was a little worried after reading so much bad things on the 45 caliber in general. But was pleasantly relieved after hitting the bullseye on the second shot at 50 yards. Then moved back to 100 yards and was shooting a nice group. Then adjusting to shoot about 2 inches high at a 100 and once I got it sighted in. Continued to shoot a 1.75 inch 3 inch group with a warm barrel and no cleaning between shots. I can already tell its gonna be a **** of a shooter. My load was a 200 grain Hornady SST in front of two 50 grain 777 pellets. Can't wait until my next trip to the range. Boy it is a pleasant surprise coming from a TC encore. Looking down the barrel you can tell the rifling is deeper and cleaner looking. And the loading is wonderful compared to the encore. I shot up to 7 bullets between cleaning and the bullets went down with 2 fingers and seated nicely. My encore was a bear to load after 1 or 2 shots. Very happy with the 139.00 price tag. Did I mention I got it in stainless not blued.

[wtnhunt]

Very happy with the 139.00 price tag. Did I mention I got it in stainless not blued.

Not really that familiar with the winchester muzzleloaders, but that sounds like a very good deal on the stainless barreled muzzleloading rifle.

[MichiganHunter]

.45 are supose to be a good flat shooting gun, i just prefer the .50 because the bigger hole u end up with but that sounds like a great gun

[Guest trackerman64]

that is my favorite muzzleloader of all. i own 12 inline muzzleloaders and the winchester apex will shoot as good or better than most. the crazy thing is that it is not as picky as most of the others. i can touch bullet holes at 100 yards with 100gr of loose 777 and a 250 gr tc shockwave super glide, 100gr pyrodex and 240gr hornady xtp, and 150gr 777 pellets and 300 gr tc shockwave, several other loads will give me 2 inch or less 3 shot groups at 100 yards, i shoot both the 45 and 50 cal apex

[Guest WadeTX]

Another Winchester Apex 45

I purchased one Christmas night and will be here on Jan.2 - Cabela's had them on clearance in the Bargain Cave for $190 and 24 hours later they were completely gone.

I wanted to see what the best load was for this. It's going to have a scope put on it and I was thinking of mainly using it as a hog gun. I would like to try and get a deer with it in a couple of weeks. I was considering 225gr Powerbelt HP with 100gr of Triple 7. Shots would be taken around 70yards or less. I would like to know what projectiles and powder have the best proven recipe for these guns.

Also, one side note. I spoke to a guy who works for CVA - Winchester actually designed these guns (just like their shotguns made in Japan) and CVA built them to their specs. When Winchester shut the doors earlier this year and US Repeating Arms Company/Browning Arms took over they did not renew the contract with BPI (CVA). Therefore the Winchester X-150 and the Apex (45/50) are the only Winchester branded muzzleloaders and will increase in value in the years to come.

One last mention, this is my first posting and I will look for a place around here I can post info (.pdf). I was searching for the catalog on eBay for Winchester Muzzleloaders (www.winchestermuzzleloading.com IS GONE) and some guy on eBay wanted $10 for his old 2004 catalog. Well, somehow I found the company that designed and created the catalog and I have them in .pdf form if anyone is interested.

[PA_RIDGE_RUNNER]

Congratulations on your purchase. My only bone of contention with the 45 cal is there isn't near the choices as the 50 for components.

[WVdeerhunter]

I have a 45 cal. CVA and love the 45. I plan on getting a new ML and when i do it will be a 45cal. I can hit the kill zone on a life size deer target at 200 yards that is 1" high at 100 yards.