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1x scope recommendations for muzzleloader

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54K views 127 replies 33 participants last post by  Critter  
#1 ·
Well, anyone got some recommendations on which scope to look at? Honestly, I might just use a vortex spitfire
 
#3 ·
So I used a 1x Simmons Shotgun scope for almost 20 years. It was rock solid, never moves off zero, is clear and had a huge objective bell on it, so it was really bright in low light. People think lowly of Simmons scopes, and they are right in alot of cases ... but not the 1x Shotgun scope, its been great.

Fast forward my son got old enough to hunt, got himself a Remington 700ML like his old man, and I went scope shopping. I found the Thompson Center 1x scope and bought it for him. Side by side, its identical to the Simmons. I think TC bought the rights to the Simmons, or maybe had Simmons make it for them, IDK but its been just as solid as my Simmons.

It was this one:

www.opticsplanet.com

Thompson Center 1x Fixed Power Hawken Hunter Riflescope

Shop Thompson Center Hawken Hunter Muzzleloader Scope 1x32mm | 4.7 Star Rating on 3 Reviews for Thompson Center Hawken Hunter Muzzleloader Scope 1x32mm + Free Shipping over $49.
www.opticsplanet.com www.opticsplanet.com

I see its discontinued so you might need to hit up gunbroker or something else and find old stock or a used one in good condition. They shouldn't break the bank either. I've never understood people spending $3-400 on 1X scope but whatever. I think i paid $89 for mine 20 years ago and I think we got the TC for my son for around $125.

For the Simmons I figured if it was stout enough for shotgun recoil, it could handle a Muzzleloader.

-DallanC
 
#8 ·
DallanC said:
www.ebay.com

vortex Crossfire 1x24 Muzzleloader Scope With Rings | eBay

vortex Crossfire 1x24 Muzzleloader Scope With Rings. Condition is Used. Shipped with USPS Priority Mail.
www.ebay.com

-DallanC
Click to expand...
DallanC said:
Hello old friend, we sure killed alot of deer together :)

A Little dusty, but GTG! I'll bet I put it on and without an adjustment it will be within 1MOA of where I want it to be.

My son's TC next to it. Its the exact same scope with different labeling and logo's.

View attachment 159274

-DallanC
Click to expand...
There is going to be a bidding war on the one on Ebay.

The Simmons/TC are discontinued.

I just did some searches and the only 1x scopes available are all variable power scopes. There are going to be a lot of red dots sold in the next 9 months.
 
#9 ·
www.opticsplanet.com

Athlon Optics Midas TSR1 24x17mm Red Dot Sights 403014

Shop Athlon Optics Midas TSR1 24x17mm Red Dot Sights | Be The First To Review Athlon Optics Midas TSR1 24x17mm Red Dot Sights + Free Shipping over $49.
www.opticsplanet.com www.opticsplanet.com

Athlon makes good quality stuff don't they?

I've not messed with red-dots as I'm a lefty... you are supposed to shoot with both eyes open but my lefty brain will not process that.

-DallanC
 
#10 ·
#11 ·
Critter said:
If you have a front sight that can be removed and would like to look at a peep sight check out this one. They make it for a number of rifles.
Click to expand...
If they went nuclear with banning all scopes, I was going to pick that up.

I love that on the packaging it says "Designed Specifically for long range muzzleloader hunting and shooting"

Maybe in a couple years those will be determined to be too technologically advanced, and they will force people to just use 1x scopes only. /rofls

-DallanC
 
#12 ·
midway has 50% off on a vortex spitefire 1X prism scope with a red dot reticle on sale right now. I'd jump on it, but I think i'm going to wait to see what the regs are, but also I've got my eye on some open sights that might be elevation adjustable, but their out of stock ... naturally.
 
#16 ·
You will see those scopes that are discontinued back on the market by the fall.

They were only discontinued because they were no longer relevant to the market. Now they are relevant to the market again. Give it a couple years and you’ll have a turreted 1x or red dot scope that is the bee’s knees and custom for your specific load.
 
#19 ·
I might just go with a prism scope and be done with it. I like williams WGRS peep sights, but I've had a horrible go with that front sight post. I have a bad feeling i'll be doing a lot of sanding and a bit of shimming to get them to work right. Easier to just swap out the scope with prism.
 
M
#27 ·
I have a old gun that was gifted to me with a 1 power scope. The ease of cleaning the newer CVA will make me explore what has to happen to switch scopes. No doubt I'll be legal next year no matter what.

What a hassle to hunt a deer. Obviously there are a lot of stone cold killers out there who need to be reigned in. Too bad I'm not one.
 
R
#28 ·
For longer range peep sight shooting, some guys like the Lyman globe sight on the front with Lee shaver inserts because he has a few finer beads that allow more accurate aiming. But for low light hunting those are too hard to see and some guys really like the Williams western precision fiber optic insert for the Williams front globe. I think it's basically a 0.019 pin, like archery size. The Lee shaver inserts do not fit the Williams globe. A lot of those guys like the Williams or Lyman rear peep.

For the guys that shoot those setups really well, with real BP and a cast bullet, they say about the max they'd actually shoot at game is about 300. I think that is primarily due to wind but not sure. It could be a sighting issue.

I imagine with a decent 1x scope, you could shoot your sleek jacketed bullet with 777 or blackhorn 209 to 300 pretty easily, right?

My max is 100 using open irons. Primarily because the pan flash makes me flinch a bit. I need to get a cap gun built to see if I can extend my range at all.

I realize that's not a 1x scope recommendation at all. But there's some good options for peeps
 
#29 ·
1X scopes are worthless. IMO
That's why I waited for years to put a scope on my muzzle gun. I was against scopes when they did it years ago.
I finally went ahead and did it after waiting years. I killed some big deer with open sights. Decided to make the investment as I got older.
Now I'm screwed. I'm sick of the flip flopping.
It REALLY pisses me off.

I know several of you will severally chastize me.
Don't care !!
It's totally bull that a few get to dictate.
I have to let off some steam.
 
#30 ·
2full said:
1X scopes are worthless. IMO
That's why I waited for years to put a scope on my muzzle gun. I was against scopes when they did it years ago.
I finally went ahead and did it after waiting years. I killed some big deer with open sights. Decided to make the investment as I got older.
Now I'm screwed. I'm sick of the flip flopping.
It REALLY pisses me off.

I know several of you will severally chastize me.
Don't care !!
It's totally bull that a few get to dictate.
I have to let off some steam.
Click to expand...
This take is actually really refreshing. You bought a scope, line it, and want to keep it. That is 100% rational to me!

And it’s nice not to hear about how impossible it is to be ethical without a scope and how all you do is wound animals without a scope. It’s almost like nobody knew how to hunt with muzzleloaders prior to 2016!

I will never be able to say you’re wrong for just saying you want to keep using a scope, because it’s entirely your prerogative to feel that way.

So many of the other arguments became so lame.
 
#31 ·
It was very interesting during the public comments.

They ranged all the way from "think of the youth hunters" to "I can't see my nose on my face" type of comments. One commenter said that he can't shoot 200 yards with open sights, well I limit myself to 150 yards on elk closer with deer.

Then there was the one person who commented about using a muzzle loader with a scope on it during the general hunts. From what he was saying it takes 15 or more minutes to reload a muzzle loader. What happened to making the first shot count? My last elk I got with a muzzle loader I got 3 bullets into him before he went down, the range was 120 yards and I was shooting with a peep sight.

Some of the other comments were just as bad.

Vanilla, did you make it up there?
 
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