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What is a muzzleloader or blackpowder scope?

jonk
I see on Midway's sight that they have 2 pages of "Muzzleloader scopes." I'm curious... what makes these different from any other scope?

Reason I ask is I may be buying one soon and will probably go with something in the $150-$200 range on the optics for (probably, based on recommendations so far) some sort of Thompson .50 inline. I was thinking of popping for a lower end Nikon or Leupold, or a higher end Bushnell (maybe the Elite 3200) but wonder why I should limit myself to the 'blackpowder' scope collection?
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Comments

13 comments

Date Votes
  • mrbruce
    The muzzle loaders can use any scope you pop on it... altho a 12x42x56 NF is a bit of overkill..
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  • steve45
    The most popular blackpowder scope is a Nikon. It has a built in bullet drop reticle designed for 50 cal, 250 gr. bullet sabot, max or near max powder load. Bullet drop is serious with these rifles about 1 ft at 200 yds. when sighted at 100 yds. It gets much worse after that.
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  • jonk
    I don't particularly care about that feature- don't get me wrong it sounds like a good one- but I don't want to shoot max loads or sabots per se, unless that's what shoots BEST. And if it shoots best (I also plan on loads in the 80-100 gr range in my tests, as well as lead bullets, minie or maxi), then I'll just work out scope clicks for whatever bullet I settle on, leave it sighted at 100 yards, and adjust as needed from there.

    I rather doubt I'd be shooting it much over 100 yards anyhow.

    But it's something to consider. If that particular scope is a good buy and I see one when I'm shopping, I'd be happy to take it, it just isn't a 'must' for features for me.
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  • allen griggs
    Most guys just use any high powered rifle scope.
    I have a Sightron S2 in 3x9, I couldn't be happier.
    With my fierce Savage I am cranking out more foot pounds than you will with your TC, I am shooting 3,100 foot pounds.
    The Sightron takes that pounding with no problems.

    I am with you, I don't want that "drop compensator" scope, I know my ballistics and aim accordingly.
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  • tsr1965
    I have a pair of TC Encores...one in 45 cal, and the other is a 50 Pro Hunter.

    The 45 wears tha Sightron SII 3-9x40 with the HHR(Hunteer Holdover Reticle). I use 2 50 grain pellets of Triple Seven, and a 195 grain PowerBelt AT. Superbly accurate combination. Killed a buck with it last year at 216 yards.

    The 50 cal Pro Hunter wears a Burris Fullfield II, 3-9x40 with the Ballistic Plex reticle. I have not yet taken an animal with it, but it has no problem shooting 4 inch groups at 200 yards with the 245 grain PowerBelt AT. I also use 2 50 grain pellets of Triple Seven in it.

    The HHR, and Balistic plex reticles are those manufacturers' answer to the BDC reticle by Nikon.

    Best
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  • oneoldsap
    I just got T/C Omega Z5 Before muzzleloader season . I sighted with a 250 Gr T/C Shockwave and 150 Gr. of 777 and it is very accurate and lethal . I stuck an old 1.75-5 Tasco world class that I've had for over 20 years and it shot great . My old gun is a T/C Firehawk .54 Cal. and there is no comparison . Muzzleloaders have come a long ways in the last 10 years . Don't discard Magnum loads until you try them , they shoot excellent and hit hard . I always try to put as much energy down range as I can when shooting game . I want a quick kill , I don't like to have to chase things after I shoot them and when you hit them as hard as you can you have done your best to get that job done .[:)]
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  • givette
    Muzzleloader type scopes are made to be parallax-free at a much shorter distance than a scope designed for modern, high power rifles. I'll leave the actual [parallax free] range to those who may know the distance, as I can't remember. Best, Joe
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  • 5mmgunguy
    I personally like a Leupold and use a 3-9x40...it has parallax adj knob.
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  • grizzclaw
    I use a Bushnell 1.5 to 4.5 on my Knight, it works fine and was rather inexpensive. If you don't put tape or something on the bottom of the scope above the action on some guns, you will marr the finish on the scope when you fire the gun.
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  • timhill100
    I asked this question to a guy that runs cooper town trading post, a blackpowder shop in my town, sorry cant remember his name, his answer was the eye reliefe is different, most rifle scopes are at 3 inches, but shotgun and muzzleloader scopes are set at 4.5 to 5 inches so that you get a better sight picture,
    i had a tasco 4x on my new englander cap lock 50 cal, i went out and bought a nikon muzzleloader scope and put that on it the sight picture inproved about 50%. so im thinking there is something to what he told me.
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  • allen griggs
    I can't imagine why the eye relief on a muzzleloader would need to be different from the eye relief on a centerfire gun.

    I believe that buy is blowing smoke, but at least, it is black powder smoke.
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  • bpost
    In your price range a 1.75X5 Burris Fullfield in Burris signature rings would be dandy!
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  • tsr1965
    quote:Originally posted by timhill100
    I asked this question to a guy that runs cooper town trading post, a blackpowder shop in my town, sorry cant remember his name, his answer was the eye reliefe is different, most rifle scopes are at 3 inches, but shotgun and muzzleloader scopes are set at 4.5 to 5 inches so that you get a better sight picture,
    i had a tasco 4x on my new englander cap lock 50 cal, i went out and bought a nikon muzzleloader scope and put that on it the sight picture inproved about 50%. so im thinking there is something to what he told me.



    The sight picture improved because you went from Tasco to Nikon. It had no bearing on the eye relief then or now...though I am sure the Nikon had much better eye relief than the Tasco. Most Tasco's are not fit for a toy gun, let alone a real one of any type.

    As givvete states, it has/had to do with parralax. The normal rifle scope that is not parralax adjustable has the parallax set at the factory at 100 yards, to be parallax free. Some of the better name brands set their 22, shotgun and muzzle loader scopes to be parallax free at 50 or 75 yards. With todays improved ammunition, I am not sure that still holds true. A lot of the hype with the muzzleloader scope was also MARKETING hype, as with the introduction of in-lines, and states opening up special muzzleloading seasons, what better excuse to sell a scope than to put it on a muzzleloader....and lable it "muzzleloader scope" to do so...it was a new and very large market to be had.

    Best
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