Muzzle-Loaders Podcast

There are some things that you just have to learn the hard way... or do you? In today's episode, Darren and Nate share some of the tips and tricks that they have picked up over decades of combined muzzleloader experience. Stay tuned! These tips may just save your season!

From little whitetail to giant bulls, our team experienced it all during the 2023 hunting season! Just as in years past, the 2023 season brought with it several exciting adventures. Our team engaged in all sorts of hunting from archery to rifle, and most importantly, muzzleloader. Join us as Nate, Chance, and Darren swap stories from their 2023 hunting seasons.

For some, the prospect of starting out in muzzleloading can seem intimidating. There is a higher barrier of entry in muzzleloading than in many other shooting sports. Unlike centerfires, getting started in muzzleloading isn't as simple as buying a gun and picking up a box of shells. In today's episode, Darren and Hunter provide info from firsthand experience and an in-depth guide for how to get started in muzzleloading. If you would like to check out the 5 part article series that we created on this same topic then click the link below. LINKS: • Beginner's Guide Articles: https://muzzle-loaders.com/blogs/muzzleloader-testing-info/getting-started-muzzleloading-the-muzzleloader-beginners-guide-part-1 • Muzzleloader Hunting in the Northwest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dAz8cE9Bq-E • How to Clean an Inline Muzzleloader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3WQz0awo4k • Troubleshooting Muzzleloaders: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LyH_ojU4Zcc&t=62s • How to Load a Muzzleloader: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9gOTtk737Pg

Every year on Labor Day weekend, our local muzzleloading club puts on a fantastic rendezvous. This year, Darren and Chance were able to be in attendance and compete in the aggregate. In this episode, Darren and Chance will recap their time at the rendezvous and share information regarding the muzzleloaders that they used.

Muzzleloader season is only a few short months away and our team is very excited to get back into the woods. In this podcast, Darren, Nate Hunter, and Chance sit down and chat about their upcoming seasons and share insights into their preseason prep. We hope that you enjoy listening to this informative and entertaining podcast.

Muzzleloader season is inching ever closer! Do you know which bullet you will be using this fall? Today, Darren and Nate discuss the best muzzleloader bullets in the world. If you are looking to try a new bullet this season then this episode will give you a solid understanding of the best options. We hope that you enjoy this episode!

What do muzzle brakes, the NFL draft, and the apocalypse all have in common? The Muzzle-Loaders Extravaganza Podcast, of course! In today's episode, Darren and Hunter are taking a break from the usual podcast structure, and instead discuss various muzzleloader topics in a brand new light. Sit back, relax, and enjoy this episode.

Nothing gets the blood pumping like shooting a cap and ball revolver! In many ways, Pietta has set the standard when it comes to black powder cap and ball revolvers. Pietta products are world class in durability, accuracy, and overall quality. Today, we sit down with Alessandro Pietta and discuss the rich history of Pietta and all things black powder. Alessandro has been working with cap and ball revolvers for his entire life and is a wealth of information. Stay tuned for the muzzleloader action!

The new Hornady Bore Driver ELD-X muzzleloader bullet is prepared to take the world by storm! In this episode, Darren and Preston discuss muzzleloader hunting, ballistics, and the new Hornady Bore Driver ELD-X! This conversion is packed with fascinating technical muzzleloader information! Stay tuned for the action!

No SHOT Show is complete without paying a visit to our good friends at Traditions!  

On today's episode, Darren Binder and Alison Hall discuss all things Traditions. Alison is the Marketing Director for Traditions and she is a wealth of information on hunting, muzzleloading, and the outdoors. We really enjoyed catching up with Alison and talking about all of the new things that Traditions is releasing this year. Stay tuned for more muzzleloader action!

Darren and Nate from Muzzle-Loaders.com discuss their favorite hunting muzzleloaders in this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders podcast.

It can be difficult to choose a hunting muzzleloader. There are a lot of choices and many things to consider when purchasing a muzzleloader. Today, Nate and Darren talk about their top choices when it comes to hunting muzzleloaders.

Are you ready to hear all about the history of cap and ball revolvers? 

Today, Darren is chatting with Collin Elam, a black powder enthusiast with a special affinity for cap and ball revolvers. This is a topic that we have wanted to cover on our show for a long time and we are excited to have Collin's expertise on this episode. Collin is a wealth of information on everything from the history of muzzleloader pistols to the functionality of cap and ball revolvers.

2022 was a tough year for the Muzzle-Loaders.com crew when it comes to hunting! 

Today, Darren and Nate discuss their experiences during the 2022 Oregon whitetail muzzleloader hunt. There were a lot of highs and a lot of lows during this hunt, but most importantly, they guys were able to spend a lot of time in the woods! We hope that you enjoy hearing about our muzzleloader hunting experience!

If you have listened to our show for any length of time, you know that we are passionate hunters and as such we enjoy talking about different kinds of hunting throughout the nation. Today, we are joined by Matt Bullins who is another passionate hunter and we discuss things like muzzleloader hunting whitetail and careers in the outdoors. Matt is a co-host of the the Red Rising hunting show and has many years of experience in outdoor film making. He also has a tremendous amount of experience hunting with Traditions muzzleloaders and we were able to chat about some of his field experiences with Traditions. Stay tuned for the action!

Hunting, fishing, and living the outdoor lifestyle is the only life that Walker and Wyatt Schearer have ever known! 

Walker and Wyatt are the children of Chad and Marsha Schearer, the hosts of Shoot Straight TV. These guys have been hunting on TV since they were small children and have traveled all over the world. We were fortunate enough to catch up with Walker and Wyatt on our recent trip to Montana and learn a little bit more about their life and experiences.

Killing a bull elk is challenging as it is but imagine getting it done with a flintlock! 

In today's episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, we are chatting with the long time traditional muzzleloader hunter, Richard Schenk. Richard has been hunting with traditional muzzleloaders for decades and is a wealth of knowledge. In this episode, Darren and Richard discuss everything from elk hunting to turkey hunting. Stay tuned for the action!

It has been over three years since the CVA Paramount took the world by storm at SHOT Show 2019. 

Today, we are discussing all of the different Paramounts and their various roles in the muzzleloader world today. We are also talking about the legacy of the Paramount and evaluating its performance over the last few years to see if it has truly lived up to the hype. Joining Darren in this conversation is Chad Schearer of Shoot Straight TV. Chad has decades of experience in muzzleloader hunting and we always value his insight on our show.

Are you curious about the CVA brand? Then this is the podcast for you! Join us as we sit down with Dudley McGarity, the former CEO of BPI!

Dudley McGarity has been involved in the muzzleloader industry for decades and is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to all things black powder. Today, we are talking about the CVA brand from past to present. The CVA brand has a very interesting history and we really enjoyed this conversation. If you have any questions then please let us know in the comments below!

It was a pleasure to chat with Jason Gatliff (Owner of the Muzzleloader Magazine) about all things muzzleloading!

In this episode, we were able to chat with Jason about everything from life on the frontier to the beginnings of the Muzzleloader Magazine. Jason is a very genuine lover of muzzleloading and historical preservation and it was incredible to be able to have this conversation with him. I hope that you enjoy this episode as much as we did!

Hunting & cooking are two sides to the same coin for Mike Reeber who has spent the majority of his life pursuing his passion for both!

In today's episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, we are catching up with Mike Reeber. Mike was born and raised in the Northeast and has been an avid hunter his whole life. We really enjoyed hearing about Mike's hunting experiences over the years.

Mike is also a professional chef and he specializes in preparing wild game. In this episode, Mike will share some key knowledge to help you prepare the best tasting wild game possible.

Today, we are going to discuss which muzzleloader caliber is truly the best!

With the recent rise in popularity of .40 and .45 caliber muzzleloader bullets, we figured that it's time to give you our thoughts how these calibers stack up against the already established .50 caliber. There are many factors to consider and joining me in this discussion is Chad Schearer of Shoot Straight TV. Chad has decades of experience in muzzleloading and we are excited to share his thoughts on the matter!

Ralph & Vicki have many years of experience in archery, rifle, and muzzleloader hunting. We are excited to share some of their knowledge with you today! 

On this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, we are chatting with Ralph and Vicki Cianciarulo of The Choice. We had a blast talking about hunting and living the outdoor lifestyle with them.  @Ralph and Vicki  have also worked very closely with Traditions Muzzleloaders over the years and we were able to get some of their valuable insight into guns the like NitroFire and Vortek StrikerFire! I hope that you enjoy this conversation as much as we did!

Who better to talk skirmishing with than the 7 time N-SSA National Champion, Eddie Davenport! 

The N-SSA stands for North South Skirmish Association. Their focus in on muzzleloader competitions and historical preservation through the Civil War era. Some of the best muzzleloader marksman come from all over the country to participate in N-SSA sanctioned skirmishes and test their skills with a muzzleloader and Eddie Davenport is one of the best. I really enjoyed sitting down with Eddie and talking about his role at the N-SSA as well as his over twenty years of experience in muzzleloading. 

We were also able to talk about Eddie's current work with Walk the Talk America, a non-profit who's goal it is to stand in the gap between mental health and the firearm industry. We found this conversation particularly interesting and we hope that you enjoy it.

N-SSA Website: http://www.n-ssa.org/

Walk the Talk America: https://walkthetalkamerica.org/

Country music, muzzleloaders, and history are the passions of Hawken Horse, Andrew Scott Wills!

Today, we will discuss everything from Andrew's time in the country music scene to the history of life on the frontier. Andrew is a very interesting person and holds a treasure-trove of muzzleloader and historical knowledge. We hope that you enjoy this unique and exciting conversation. 

It was a genuine pleasure to sit down and have a conversation with Jackie Bushman of Buckmasters TV!

Jackie has been involved in the outdoor entertainment industry since the mid-1980s and was one of the pioneers of hunting television shows. We enjoyed hearing about all of Jackie's experience in the outdoor industry and we think that you will too. 

We also were able to talk about all things muzzleloading with Jackie. Jackie has been sponsored by Traditions for several years now and has a tremendous amount of insight into their products. He was one of the first people to harvest an animal with the Traditions NitroFire making him an expert in that area. If you have any questions regarding this show then please let us know in the comments below.

Today we are going over our recent load development experience with the CVA Accura LR-X!

Muzzleloader load development provides many unique and exciting challenges. When conducting load development with a muzzleloader, there are many variables that make it more challenging than load development with a centerfire rifle such as consistency of the pack, barrel cleanliness, and moisture levels. All of these things must be accounted for when conducting muzzleloader load development. In today's episode, we are going to cover our recent load development experience with the CVA Accura LR-X. This muzzleloader was a lot of fun to shoot and very accurate. We hope that you enjoy this conversation and be sure to leave your questions in the comments below!

Today, Darren and Gary are discussing all things Blunderbuss including history, kit assembly, and turkey hunting! 

The Blunderbuss is a very unique muzzleloader so it is only fitting that the History is equally unique. When most people think of the Blunderbuss they think of pirate ships or Elmer Fudd but the Blunderbuss is much more than that. In addition to being the ideal choice for clearing ship decks, the Blunderbuss also played a crucial role in settling the frontier! Tune in to this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast to learn even more about the Blunderbuss!

Today, we will be tackling some common muzzleloader myths and misconceptions!

Muzzleloading is a highly technical sport and a breeding ground for false information. It is our desire to decrease the barrier of entry into muzzleloading and help pave the way for new people to join our sport. In this episode, we endeavor to set the record straight with regard to some of these common muzzleloader myths.

Backcountry, bushcraft, and black powder are the name of the Game for Paul Laster of The Orion Foundation Instagram page!

We had an absolute blast chatting with Paul on this week's episode of the Muzzle-Loaders podcast. Paul's history with muzzleloading is extremely compelling and his knowledge of muzzleloader history is incredible! Today, Darren and Paul discuss all things bushcraft and black powder in an episode for the ages! 

We are very excited to have Ethan from I Love Muzzleloading back on the show to talk more about muzzleloader kits!

Muzzleloader kits are a very unique part of the muzzleloader community. You can make it as challenging or as simple as you would like that level of customization is what makes it so appealing. In this podcast, Darren and Ethan discuss the more in-depth aspects of kit building for those of you who are looking to jump into the deep end of the muzzleloader world. It is always a pleasure to have Ethan on the show and I hope that you benefit from his many years of experience in muzzleloader kit building!

In today's podcast, Mike Freiberg and Darren Binder take a deep dive into the world of muzzleloader scopes, spotting scopes, and binoculars.

If you are someone who likes to nerd out when it comes to outdoor equipment then this is the podcast for you. Mike Freiberg has over a decade of experience as an outdoor rep for companies like Nikon and US Optics and has garnered a thorough understanding of optics and their functionality. It is our goal to provide you with some tips to help improve your muzzleloading experience through optics education as well as answer some of the questions that you may have had about optic functionality.

Shooting a bull elk at 15 feet is one of the more exciting experiences that a human can enjoy. All things muzzleloader hunting are the topic of conversation between Logan and Darren in this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast.

We were recently invited out to Burris Optics headquarters in Greeley Colorado by Logan Holtz, the Marketing Director for Burris. We had a lot of fun hanging out and shooting muzzleloaders with the Burris crew. We were also able to record a podcast with Logan and talk about his extensive muzzleloader hunting experience. Logan has been hunting with a muzzleloader for many years and has a lot of insight that will help any muzzleloader hunter have more success. If you are looking to take your muzzleloader hunting to the next level, you will not want to miss out on this podcast!

Have you ever wondered how a premium brand like Pedersoli proof tests their muzzleloaders?

We had an opportunity to interview Justin Dodd, part-owner of Italian Firearms Group, at SHOT Show 2022. Italian Firearms Group is the foremost importer of Pedersoli muzzleloaders and they represent Pedersoli to the United States consumer. Join us as Darren and Justin discuss all things Pedersoli!

The Muzzle-Loaders Podcast is back and we are recapping our SHOT Show 2022 experience!

In this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, Nate and Darren recap their experiences from SHOT Show 2022 and discuss some of their favorite muzzleloaders and muzzleloader products. If you love muzzleloaders and attending SHOT Show is on your bucket list then you will want to listen to this episode!

Let's go back in time and check out some of our favorite moments in Muzzle-Loaders Podcast history!

In this episode, Darren, Nate, and Caleb watch clips from some of our favorite moments in Muzzle-Loaders Podcast history. From the funny, behind-the-scenes moments to the exciting, on-air conversations, we can't wait to take you back in time to some of the best Muzzle-Loaders Podcast clips! Thank you all so much for your support of the show and we look forward to bringing you more awesome conversations next year!

'Tis the season for muzzleloader kits! On this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, we sit down with Ethan Yazel of I Love Muzzleloading to discuss all things muzzleloader kits! Ethan has years of experience in traditional muzzleloading and building kits and we are very excited to tap into some of his kit building experience! If you are thinking about buying your first kit then you won't want to miss this episode!

There have been a lot of developments to muzzleloader technology over the years and today we are going to talk about the pros and cons of each of them.

From Traditional sidelock muzzleloaders to modern bolt action super magnums, there are pros and cons to each and every muzzleloader ignition system. We are here to help you sort out which muzzleloader will best fit your needs. If you are new to muzzleloading, the decision of what muzzleloader to use is going to come down to what you intend to do with your muzzleloader. If you plan to shoot long distances, then a bolt action super magnum is probably the way to go. If you would like to relive a part of history and challenge yourself on your next hunt, then a traditional sidelock muzzleloader is more for you. Whatever your interests are, there is a piece of the muzzleloader world that you will enjoy!

Many of us are passionate about muzzleloading but few of us are as passionate and entertaining as Mark Humphries of the Black Powder Maniac Shooter YouTube channel!

We had an absolute blast chatting with Mark on this podcast. Like many of us in the muzzleloader community, Mark is a fun and down-to-earth guy that is also very knowledgeable in all things black powder. It was fun to laugh and joke with Mark as well as talk about some more serious things like the state of muzzleloading in 2021. We hope that you enjoy getting to know Mark in this episode as much as we did!

Nothing gets your heart pumping like bear hunting! Now, add the thrill of using a muzzleloader and you have something that is truly exciting!

The Price brothers have decades of bear hunting experience in Pennsylvania. With the recent addition of a muzzleloader bear season in PA, Ryan and Scott, wasted no time familiarizing themselves with the new season. Now, they both have taken bears with a muzzleloader and have a lot of experience to share with you when it comes to chasing black bears with black powder!

Muzzleloaders are like snowflakes, no two are exactly the same. That is why it is important that you know how to conduct proper load development!

Muzzleloader load development can be as simple or complicated as you want it to be. In this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, Nate and Darren go over all of the details and information that you will need to know before heading to the range with your muzzleloader. If you want to find the perfect load for your upcoming muzzleloader hunt but don't know where to start, this is the podcast for you!

Looking to take your whitetail hunting to the next level? Look no further!

Deer season is in full swing all around the nation and now is the time to kick your season into overdrive! There are countless opportunities to hunt whitetail with a muzzleloader around the nation. In this podcast, Darren and Tony discuss different strategies, whitetail population densities, and load recommendations to help you on your next whitetail hunt! 

The 2021 elk season was a brutal one which makes for some exciting stories!

Join us for this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast as we talk about the events of this year's elk season and some of the lessons that we learned over the course of the hunt!

We asked you to send us all of your muzzleloader questions and you all came through! 

In this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, we will be answering some of the muzzleloader questions that were submitted via our social media. Muzzleloader hunting and shooting can seem complicated but we are here to help! We will cover things like Blackhorn 209 availability and how to restore an old muzzleloader.

Did you know that it was possible to get into muzzleloading for less than $350? 

Maybe you are a first-timer and you just want to try your hand at muzzleloading or maybe you drew an unexpected tag and you are trying to get everything that you need on the cheap. Whatever your story, muzzleloading is an incredible sport and you don't have to break the bank to get involved! I hope that you enjoy this conversation between Darren and Hunter about how to get involved in muzzleloading on a budget. 

The smallest of the big game species in North America can present a big challenge! Join us on this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast as we sit down with John McAdams of The Big Game Hunting Blog and talk about hunting javelina with a muzzleloader. John is a very experienced javelina hunter and has many fantastic tips and tricks to make your next javelina hunt a success!

Removing the gamey taste from wild meat can seem impossible but there are a few steps that you can take while in the field to make your deer and elk meat taste great!

The gamey flavor is one of the biggest complaints that people have about eating wild meat but what most people don't know is that removing the gamey taste starts long before you get to the kitchen. There are several things that you can do in the field dressing, transportation, and butchering process to improve the flavor of this year's kill! Listen in as Darren and Nate talk about this and so much more!

Traditional muzzleloader rendezvous are a great time filled with black powder shooting, tomahawks, and some of the best people you will ever meet!

We had a lot of fun at our local La Grande Rendezvous shooting muzzleloaders and hanging out with the wonderful people in our local muzzleloader community. While there, we were able to sit down with Darrell Plank, the Booshway of the La Grande Rendezvous. Darrell has been attending and hosting rendezvous for nearly 50 years and has been shooting muzzleloaders that entire time. We really enjoyed being able to get Darrell's unique perspective on muzzleloading as a whole and the future of the rendezvous community. You will not want to miss out on this episode!

There are countless muzzleloader misconceptions that can be very dangerous to you and those around you. We are here to set the record straight and help you have a safe, ethical, and enjoyable experience while muzzleloader hunting and shooting!

There are three main things that you will need to know before diving into a muzzleloader hunt: 

1. Know the animals 

2. Know the Terrain 

3. Know your Muzzleloader  

In this episode of the Muzzle-Loaders Podcast, we are talking about hunt preparation! We have all heard the adage "Fail to prepare, prepare to fail." This is never more true than when you are preparing for a hunt but you can put a lot of effort into the WRONG preparation and it won't do you any good. We are here to point you in the right direction so that you have a successful and ethical hunt!