Muzzleloader advice

[rcbif]

I'm getting a muzzleloader rifle kit for my 4-h fair project this year. It will be a kit so I will build it which will be documented as part of the project. I have a few questions first though for people with experience with muzzleloaders. One gun I was looking at was a double trigger model/W adjustible sights and was about$220.
The other gun they were out of stock and will be getting next month, has a single trigger and is slightly smaller barrel w/ non adjustable sights for $180. Does anybody have experience with double trigger muzzleloaders? I heard they are good for hunting but heard people say the firing trigger can be dangerously light. I may get the cheaper kit and upgrade to adjustable sights if I dont get the double trigger kit. Any advice appreciated!

 

[DeaDShorT]

I'm used to shooting some high end rolling block action black powder cartridge target rifles...my Dad was really into those when I was growing up. All of the guns he built were double set triggers...it's quite a bit to keep track of in a hunting situation. The double triggers are @ the best for target shooting/competition...the less pressure you exert on the rifle the more accurate it will be down range.

My advice would be KISS...keep it simple stupid. Single trigger for hunting, double set triggers for target/competition.

 

[rcbif]

My club does target practice so Leaning toward the double trigger but has your dad/you ever had any accidental fires when using the first setting/saftey trigger? Seems like a unintentional fire would be easy or am I just paranoid?

 

[DeaDShorT]

Yeah, it's been known to happen...the triggers were really light when the set trigger was used...just a quirk of the design. Great for that application, usually the rifle is aimed down range when you're setting the trigger and getting settled in for the final approach.

I've got 2 brand new-almost in the box Knight 50 cal muzzleloaders in the safe, never shot. Had them for almost 7 years now. Lost interest after I broke my leg racing Supercross and then the kids came along, man things change...

 

[joehein]

i have shot a doulbe trigger and i didn't really feel there was a diff. between them. double trigger has a hair trigger. but the single is the same. are you shooting a relica or new kind of muzzleloader. i shot replicas soo there might be a differance.

 

[rash_powder]

If you are worried about the safety of the double trigger in a hunting situation, I really wouldn't worry to much about it.

I shoot a Thompson 209x50 muzzel loader. When I hunt with it, I don't cock the hammer until I pull the rifle up for a shot. It is just sooo much safer than carrying a cocked rifle around, especially as there is no safety on the gun.

The set trigger is probably the same - no safety. Don't cock it until you need to and you will be fine.

Just my $.02

rash