I was scoping out the Mossberg website and noticed that they offer a barrel that will convert the 12ga 500 model into a 50 cal muzzleloader. Cost is only $103 bucks. Anybody have any experience with this? Is it a worthy investment. Seems to me a cheap way to get into Muzzleloading and not have to buy a whole new gun.
I don't know about the Mossberg version, but I have a Hastings Paradox bp barrel (no longer produced) for my Remington 870. It worked pretty decent and I shot a couple of decent bucks with it. There was some blow back past the 209 primer that has blackened the face of the "bolt" (I shot Pyrodex). I tried saboted .45 bullets and it wouldn't group them at all. I found it shot 385 grain maxis the best. Most likely has to do with the rate of rifling twist, but I could not find that information out (I guess I could use a tight patch and mark the rod to see rate of rotation, but I have essentially retired the barrel). There is a "saddle scope mount" for the Rem 870 that bolts through the trigger assembly retaining pins. I would bet there is a similar product for the Mossberg if a person wanted to add a scope. It would be real close every year when I re-assembled it for season.
You can get a new muzzleloader for close to that amount a money. CVA and Traditions have a few models (see: Natchez ). I don't have any experience with these models and the saying that "you get what you pay for" might apply. Maybe check to see what this amount of money will buy used?
The guy I hunt with has used the Mossberg barrel for a number of years and has had good success with it.
I have the Hastings Barrel for my 870 and other then the blowback problem mentioned here already I have used it for over 10 years and can shoot groups (and deer) at 100+ yards.
Even though thee add on barrels work well there is more of an expense that just the barrel. Because of the blowback problems and getting the reciever cleaned you will probably end up dedicating the reciever to the ML barrel.
It is also harder to put a primer in these since you have to reach inside.
With the quality of straight muzzleloaders out there and the prices being very reasonable I am thinking along the same line as Bronc in saying - get a regular muzzleloader. The break opens are easy to prime - the Knights have models for every budget to chosse from and you will get more advice from the forums as more people use a regular ML.
You should never say anything about not having to buy a new gun. It should always be that you get to buy a new gun. You will be far better off to buy a real muzzle loader rather than any conversion. The guns are built better with better stock dimentions and better sight systems than the conversion. Also if you decide that you either don't like old smokey or if you really love it and want to better your self you can always sell a rifle much easier and get more of your money back than with a conversion barrel. There will be all kinds of sales and close outs now that the season is about over so $200 will buy you a lot of gun.
It is also harder to put a primer in these since you have to reach inside.
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I had forgotten what a PITA (pain-in-the-) it was to reach in and put a 209 in position inside the receiver. Then if a 209 got stuck you were in a real jam. Had to be the slowest draw in the west.
It is also harder to put a primer in these since you have to reach inside.
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I had forgotten what a PITA (pain-in-the-) it was to reach in and put a 209 in position inside the receiver. Then if a 209 got stuck you were in a real jam. Had to be the slowest draw in the west.
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I never forget - After I shot my deer this year I had to sit there for about 5 minutes to get the primer out - depends on the pprimer some of them just fall out.
I still love the Hastings barrel. I have had one of the Knight Extreme Discs (someting like that) for 2 years now and I put a scope on it, bore sighted it but still have not put powder in it.
I did decide next year - because I know I need to have it ready - just in case.
As it was said earlier - you can never have enough guns
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