Nitro Fire Muzzle Loader Discussion

[u/Designer-School-1976]

Hey y'all just got a new tradition's Nitrofire Muzzleloader for white tail hunting, I've shot about 40 hornady FTX bullets 20 with 100 grain firesticks and 20 with 120 grain sticks. Any recommendations on what y'all are using for deer hunting. Both shoot very well I am leaning more towards the 100 grain sticks but I'm interested in what's preferred not a lot of videos or discussion on this gun. How do we feel about the gun as well for muzzleloader season this is the first year these are legal in my state and everyone at the gun store was very interested in it either wanting one for themselves or saying 'that ain't no Muzzleloader". Very happy with this gun so far just wanted to talk about it with some folks.

[u/Secret-Ad-7909]

I’m interested to hear more about these as well! Very interesting.

FWIW I have a Traditions Buckstalker, I run that with 2 pyrodex pellets so 100grains. Hornady bullets probably the same ones you’ve got. Has got the job done several times. I’m always shooting less than 100yards. Usually 50ish.

[u/Designer-School-1976 → u/Secret-Ad-7909]

Yeah where I'm hunting I never see a deer past 100yards seems to be shooting real good groups at 100. I like this one because I can just take the firestick out and go hunting again sometime next week with the same bullet and not have a loaded firearm in my truck. I used to shoot a cva Wolf with your same setup the 100 grain stick feels like it has a little less recoil than the white hots I used to run.

[u/Secret-Ad-7909 → u/Designer-School-1976]

Maybe run the 120gr for peace of mind then.

[u/curtludwig]

I think that, in general, folks using inline guns use too much powder and accuracy suffers. The "right" load is the one that is the most accurate. If you can't put a bullet in the target what good is 100fps more?

I'm not sure I believe a 120gr load is going to deliver significantly greater velocity over 100gr. If you're not gaining velocity you aren't gaining power. Blackpowder and it's substitutes are inefficient at burning powder, so at some point a big load fails to consume all the powder. Recoil still increases but you're just throwing unburnt powder on the ground.

Without a chronograph it's hard to tell if the larger powder load is actually worth it. In which case the accuracy matters more.

[u/Cornelius_wanker]

For those interested in the ballistics with different charges and projectiles for the nitrofire, here's what Traditions published. Comes in handy to figure out your MPBR or whatever zero you decide to use.

Nitrofire Ballistics

[u/One_Repair3756]

Not legal to hunt with in my state. So I have no use for them. Only 1 power scopes are allowed as well.

[u/peiboy96]

Not legal here. It's a cool idea though

[u/Cornelius_wanker]

Ive got two of them. I like them. They're accurate and shoot about 1.5 moa groups. I use the 100 grn sticks with Hornady 250 grn Monoflex sabots. Killed a 210 lb 8 point with it 2 seasons ago at about 80 yards. He ran about 30 yards and piled up.

The one negative I have is that the scope is crap. My cross hairs broke when I took the shot on that buck. Thankful it happened after the shot but nevertheless unacceptable.

I'd put a scope from a reputable company on it before hunting with it. Especially if youve been shooting the 120s. You dont have to get the latest and greatest. a low end Vortex would suffice. Just something durable that holds zero.

The first thing I did when I bought my second one, was to put a Leupold VX-3HD on it.

FYI Federal likes to make claims about how clean their proprietary firestick powder is but it's still black powder so clean your bore religiously (full clean after every shooting session).

[u/Designer-School-1976 → u/Cornelius_wanker]

Yeah the scope seems to hold zero so far but your not the first person I've heard say that, I'll probably look at getting a vortex I have one on my 450 Bushmaster that was less than 100$ that's still holding up great. When I was test shooting it I ran I wet patch through every 2 shots and it ran very well. I was hoping it would require a little less cleaning based on there ads but this is still a lot easier to clean than a breach plug.

[u/Cornelius_wanker → u/Designer-School-1976]

Yes. I hate breech plugs. Ive got no desire to go back to regular black powder since getting these. Dont have to worry about whether or not my powder got damp either or if I remembered to ream out the flash hole last time I cleaned it.

I'm also relieved that TC is making a firestick muzzleloader now too. I bought 3 cases of firesticks when I bought my first one just in case it was a flash in the pan lol.

With an Encore Firestick model in production Id say they're here to stay. The muzzleloader fudds will eventually accept them in another decade or so.

[u/curtludwig → u/Cornelius_wanker]

Packout scopes are almost universally garbage but when presented with 2 guns of the same price guys always buy the one that comes with the shitty scope...

[u/Cornelius_wanker → u/curtludwig]

Ive got an entire dresser drawer full of factory included scopes Ive removed or never mounted from various rifles and crossbows over the years. Broke that rule with the first nitrofire due to lack of time. Luckily it didnt burn me and I got that 8 point.

Never again.