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Post by zodiakgsps on Dec 8, 2007 23:04:43 GMT -4
Need the wisdoms of the ML experts here please!! Seeings as I saw a lot of deer this year (and last), just one legal buck though (running full speed away from me through redbrush), and haven't gotten a deer in 2 years, I decided for the first time in several years to ML hunt! First off, I'm honestly not very familiar with them, only hunted with one a few times, when my cousin passed away I quit(he got me into it, was "our" thing, it's his ML I'll be taking......). Do shoot occasionally & plan to get it out & go do some shootin' the next 2 weeks & go hunting with it again, time to get back in the saddle! My cousin purchased all the necessary things for it, so I'm not sure what the best things are to get going again. I have a TC Firestorm. Any suggestions/recommendations as far as powders, flints, etc please? THANKS!!!! ;D ;D Ann
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Post by loggy on Dec 9, 2007 9:53:26 GMT -4
Sounds like some fun ahead Ann!!!
I had the same gun & tell you what best worked for me.
Powder: First stay away from pellets. I couldn't get reliable ignition with them. Go with black powder. Get some 3fg Goex. If you can find Swiss black powder...its a lil cleaner but then get 2fg but more expensive. I will assume the goex is what you have or most likely find. With 3fg you can use same powder in pan. Works as good as 4fg pan powder.
Load:My best was 90 grains 3fg or 100 2fg in the Firestorm. I would start with 80 grains 3fg & work up, You may find that 80 3fg is on. If starting with 2fg...start with 90.
Bullet: Shot many out of the 1-48 twist barrel. The barrel isnt slow & not real fast. Designed to shoot both round balls & conicals. I found the 295 Grain Powerbelt Aertotip to load easy, shoot great plus even killed deer to boot!
Flints: I used the German Agate flint. English are great too! Stay away from those TC factory cheap lite gray flints. Not a good spark. Go with agate or English.
Frizzen/Touch Hole: When shooting be sure to wipe frizzen surface & flint edge clean. I use a damp TC 13 or " Windex with Vinegar" to wipe & be sure to wipe dry. Alcohol or anything good to remove fouling works. Touch Hole...use a pick to keep open.
Get to the range as much as you can in next 2 weeks or so.
That Firestorm is a huntin machine!!
:)Best of luck!!
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Post by greybearjr on Dec 9, 2007 11:59:52 GMT -4
Can't add much to Loggy's sage advice. Practice, Practice, Practice! That's probably the best advice I can give. You want to be able to shoot a 3" group consistantly at 50 yards. Also get yourself a $40 CO2 discharger. They are a life saver in the woods when you have a stuck ball or a misfire that you would normally have to pull.
GBJ
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Post by zodiakgsps on Dec 9, 2007 14:42:17 GMT -4
Thanks guys, knew I could count on you for good advise!!!! Loggy, going to call around & look for the Swiss powder, if not off to Gander to get supplies. I do believe the flint is a TC....I will replace it pronto!! Thanks so much!! GBJ, will definitely look into the CO2 discharger, sounds very handy to have, thanks!
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Post by loggy on Dec 9, 2007 14:49:54 GMT -4
Ann, TC does make a premium agate flint. If it looks like this ur in business!!!
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Post by whitetail101 on Dec 9, 2007 18:36:26 GMT -4
Ann - I myself use the TC Firestorm and love it.
Like Loggy said Powerbelt 295 grain Aerotips work great, I tried sabots but they were not very accurate(I did kill a deer with them last year), but had much better results with the Powerbelts.
As for powder I use loose 90 grains of 777 in the barrel and 4ffg in the pan.
I too stay away from the TC agate, never could get it to spark properly, I use the English flints and get a much better spark.
I would suggest getting yourself a piece of leather and waterproof it and mount it with the lock bolt on the opposite side of the pan to help keep your powder dry during nasty weather. You just flip it over when you are going to shoot.
good luck Ann, if you need an area to hunt I will be hunting near Titusville in the oil fields with my DMAP tags if you want someone to hunt with.
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Post by zodiakgsps on Dec 9, 2007 19:22:10 GMT -4
Thanks for the invite Todd!! I do have a place I'm going to be scouting the next couple weeks, some property I got permission to hunt, am hoping a nice buck I saw made it through rifle......going to go put my trail cams out this week & check trails, etc. I also found a nice new spot yesterday, saw quite a few deer & since I didn't get a doe tag or take a buck I can take a doe here now if "my" buck isn't to be found in the other spot. He wasn't a wallhanger, but he was nice. Can't get out much to scout next few weeks with work getting so busy, so hoping to catch something nice on the cams!! How big a piece of leather do you use??? That was actually one question I was going to ask.......tips on hunting in inclement weather.
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Post by whitetail101 on Dec 9, 2007 19:31:53 GMT -4
Ann - The piece of leather I use was specially designed for this purpose. In a pinch you can make your own by cutting a 6 inch by 3 inch piece and drill a hole in it for the lock bolt.
The one I have comes with a small weight at the bottom along with laces to tie it to the trigger gaurd to help keep it in place while moving
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Post by zodiakgsps on Dec 9, 2007 19:39:53 GMT -4
Ann - The piece of leather I use was specially designed for this purpose. In a pinch you can make your own by cutting a 6 inch by 3 inch piece and drill a hole in it for the lock bolt. The one I have comes with a small weight at the bottom along with laces to tie it to the trigger gaurd to help keep it in place while moving One more thing I'll add to my shopping list, thanks!!
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