A Muzzleloader Scope Worth Saving Your Money For

Last year I wrote two lengthy articles on scopes for our muzzleloaders (Muzzleloader Scopes: How to Choose? and 8 Considerations Before Purchasing a Muzzleloading Scope). I touched on two types of scopes, one type more than the other. The one I spent the most time on was the BDC type scopes, and in general, all brands of them. In those articles, if I remember correctly and I’m quite certain I do, I told you that I really don’t have that high of regard or use for any of them. I’m not going to re-hash that here, I’ll just refer you back to those articles for you to refresh yourself with why I think they’re not all they're cracked up to be.

 

But I did mention, briefly, a real solution to the issue of the tremendous amount of bullet drop we deal with as muzzleloading hunters. The scope I told you about and one I was testing at the time was the Leupold CDS (Control Dial System). I’ve got to tell ya, I’ve been using a CDS now since last November and I can now say for certain that in my opinion this is the very best scope available that truly addresses the needs of today’s muzzleloader! 

I can sum up why this is in 9 words:
     (1) “Leupold” and 
     (2-8) “true, point of aim, point of impact accuracy”. 

Of course with the Leupold brand comes two things: un-questioned quality and dependability  and (the hard part) sticker shock (they can be a little pricey).

But with this CDS scope comes the ability to put your cross hair where you want your bullet to hit all the way out to 250 yards (or more) and know that’s where it is going to hit. No hold over, no little all-but-useless hash marks or (even worse) little circles on the reticule of some BDC scopes. Just get the range to your target, make a QUICK adjustment to your CDS turret and put the cross hair where you want impact, and shoot. 

Here’s why I like it. When I went to the Marine Corps Scout Sniper School, I was introduced to the Unertl scope. In short, this scope was built for the Marine Sniper Rifle by John Unertl. It was built for that rifle, using a certain ammo at a known and always constant muzzle velocity. The elevation turret had the numbers 1-10 around it, 1= 100 yards, 2= 200 yards and so on all the way to the big-boy yard line of 1000 yards and as you may have guessed, 10= 1000 yards. 

So, if your target was ranged at being 600 yards, you turned the turret to the number 6 and let’er rip. In the hands of a well-trained sniper who knew how to deal with the wind, it was deadly accurate. The Unertl scope turret would also not make more than one full revolution. It was fool proof and rugged, it had to be, it was in the hands of US Marines.

The Leupold CDS works the very same way, maybe even better due to the fact range finders are so available and affordable. Here’s how easy it is to get up and running with a Leupold CDS:  

First the hard part, and it does sting a bit, buy the scope. 

Then find a load for your rifle that you like and is accurate in your rifle and zero it for 100 yards with the supplied factory turret. Once you are happy with that load, you will need the below information: 

     •    Cartridge & Caliber
     •    Bullet Weight
     •    Bullet Make/Brand
     •    Bullet Type
     •    Ballistic Coefficient
     •    Muzzle Velocity
     •    Average Elevation
     •    Average Temperature


Don’t worry too much about this stuff, it can be had.  If you use a load from one of my new M.A.X. Load Data Books, everything you need is there. 

Then call Leupold, give them the info and in a few weeks they will send you a turret with your load data laser engraved around the top of the turret. 

This turret is only good for that load. At the time of this article (Right now! Go! Quick!) Leupold is still offering a free turret with your new scope.  If at the time you are reading this that offer is over, each turret is about $60.00. 

 To install the turret, simply loosen the three set screws, lift the factory turret off, replace it with your custom load turret, putting the zero range (in this case the number 1) to the mark on the scope and tighten the three set screws. The new turret will only turn 360°so there’s no way you’re going to lose track of what range your CDS is set to. You can have as many turrets for that scope and rifle as you want.

One of the things that I think will help sell these scopes (besides the above) is the fact that you don’t have the big, tall, target-type turrets normally associated with this type of scope. These are nice looking low-profile turrets, you hardly even know any difference.

Here’s how it works when you're hunting:

  

1) range the target, (let’s say it’s 150 yards)


2) turn the turret to 1.5


3) PUT THE CROSS HAIR WHERE YOU WANT YOUR BULLET TO HIT 


 4) shoot


Imagine that!!




Leupold offers this scope in their VX-3 and VX-R lines. They offer it in several magnification and objective lens diameter options. I’ve chosen the VX-3 3.5X10X40mm for all my rifles. Leupold can also fit the CDS dial on many of the scopes you may already own, you can call their custom shop to see if this is an option for you.

I’m sure there will be questions, so just ask away in the comment section below.  I’m pretty sure I have the answer, if not I know I can get you one.

This is without question, my choice of scopes for my muzzleloader.  If you try one you won’t be disappointed, I guarantee it, and yes it works that well and just that easy. 

And remember, I said it was the best solution, not the cheapest.  That’s why I titled it like I did, to give you time to save for one before this fall!!

Your Muzzleloader Accuracy Will Improve with this New Cleaner & Conditioner

Ya know, in order for M.A.X. to grow and keep up with the ever-changing muzzleloader industry, we got to keep shooting, keep testing, keep researching and keep telling you our results.

More shooting (which can hardly be considered "work" since I love to shoot!) means more cleaning, which isn't fun and IS tedious work, especially as much shooting as we do here.  Cleaning, cleaning, cleaning, a lot of cleaning.  Cause you all know by now that I constantly preach:  a consistently clean muzzleloader is the very basis of consistent accuracy! 

So naturally, I'm always on the lookout for something to do a great job AND cut down my work load...always looking for a "better mousetrap" in the cleaning and care products area. 

When we found what we thought was good, we kept looking for better.  When we found better, we continued looking for best.  We looked within the industry, and then began searching outside the normal muzzleloading cleaning product lines.  The hunt for better cleaning and care products for modern muzzleloaders became like a quest!

During our search, what I discovered was that two things are needed to make the care and cleaning process easier and more effective:

     1.  A treatment product that could be used prior to shooting to prevent build-up of powder and primer residue would make clean up much easier.

     2.  A cleaning product that would remove dirty powder reside from the metal, not just quicker, but better.

The search started in November 2009 and when we couldn't find anything within the hunting industry, we started thinking outside-the-box, and are now proud to announce that WE FOUND IT!! 

We are very excited to be able to offer you our new line of care and cleaning products designed specifically for the needs of today's modern muzzleloading hunter and shooter:  M.A.X. Dead On.

I can't promise that using MAX's Dead On will make cleaning your muzzleloader fun, but I will tell you that you will notice that it makes cleaning easier and quicker.

Proper care and cleaning is a huge step in having a rifle that is accurate and is reliable and won't let you down at the "moment of truth"!!!

MAX's Dead On Condition is a very advanced lubricant and protectant.

Of all the gun lubricants I've used on both hunting and competition rifles over the years, this one really impressed me.   When applied, Dead On Condition hides in your rifle's metal and provides protection against rust, corrosion and mother nature herself! 

It penetrates deep in the metal, but doesn't leave your rifle sticky or oily feeling!   Another great feature to this product is that it does not allow the base layer of powder residue to adhere to the rifle barrel as well, making clean up a lot quicker!  The first stop in the process to easier cleaning!

MAX's Dead On Clean is the most advanced modern muzzleloading cleaner on the market, period.  Dead On Clean will clean your muzzleloader quicker, deeper, with less effort and in less time than ever before!  You'll even use fewer patches - bonus! 

Dead On Clean was developed on out test ranges where hundreds of rounds are fired though our riles every year.  We worked with it, tweaked it and tested and re-tested until it became the perfect product for cleaning the residue left behind by today's modern powders and primers.   

We look at Dead On Clean as being a commercial cleaner that we are making available to the everyday shooter.

A big plus to Dead On Clean is that it is safe to the user and environment.  It is biodegradable and has almost no odor.  Course, you still want to keep it away from children, they don't have a need for it anyway.  And don't drink it!  I'm not sure what it tastes like, but there are certainly better things to drink after a day at that range! 

We look forward to getting some feedback from you all as you try these two new products, email us any time at sales@maxmuzzleloader.com! 

You can find both of these great products for sale on our M.A.X. Muzzleloader website!! 

MAX Approved Product: the AccuScope

We are all involved in a sport that we love, we love being a part of, and we love to pass on to others. But over the past 20 years or so, the industry has sure made our down-to-earth sport much more complex than it needs to be. It would appear that a simple "meat and potato diet" of deer sign & interpreting that deer-sign no longer cuts it in the woods!

Now it seems we need all kinds of STUFF! And trust me, the hunting industry has spent millions on marketing all kinds of widgets and gadgets that would lead us to believe that we can't be successful without them! In fact, if we don't carry a ton of this stuff to the woods with us, we are just wasting our time!

Well, it just ain't so. I know it and you know it.


But really, there are some neat, new products out there and we just need to sift through it all to find things that are sincerely beneficial to us. Some people might say it's even fun trying to sort the stupid stuff from the useful stuff, but it can sure get expensive (unless you are into passing it off on some unsuspecting newbie or pawning off worthless junk on eBay, or hopefully you have a conscience in which case the best thing to do is take it out in the backyard and kill it).


Now that I got that off my chest, I am someone who does try a LOT of new products, but will always tell the truth about what I find. When I find a useful product that works, I share it with you. And here's one I found and featured in my last video MAXimize Your CVA Accura & Accura V2: The AccuScope.

I found the Accuscope while walking the aisles at the NRA National Convention in Charlotte, NC last year. I looked over, saw it and in less than 30 seconds I knew exactly what it did, knew it would work, knew it would be useful and knew I had to have one. All before I ever even picked it up.


It sells itself, it's that simple.


I bought one at that show and found it more than worthy to pass on to all MAX Customers. The company is based out of Ankeny, Iowa and is owned by Steve Ugolini and Chris Schuling. Two great guys that had a great idea and took it all the way to production!


How useful is it? Very. After bore sighting to where the first shot hits paper, just ask the Accuscope what to do and if you are on your shooting game, your second shot is exactly where you want it.


How simple is it? Very. It doesn't even come with instructions. It's self-contained and self-explanatory. Everything you need to know comes printed on the Accuscope itself.


It comes in several models but the one most useful to us muzzleloaders is the 1/4 MOA & 1/2 MOA Scope Model. If your scope is 1/4 MOA adjustment, that info is on one side. For 1/2 MOA scope users, flip it over and your info is on the other side.


Here's how it works:


Measure the distance of your first shot, be it left or right, up or down from where you want it to be. When measuring elevation and you want your zero to be 2 inches high at 100 yards, add that in as well. To measure, use the grids on your target or use the ruler that is conveniently printed on the side of the AccuScope.

I'll use a target I shot a few weeks ago to show you how accurate the information from the AccuScope really is. In this case, I was using a Leupold 3x9x40mm CDS scope and was shooting from a range of 100 yards.

As you see, the first round was low and right. In fact, it was 2-1/2 inches low and 2-3/4 inches right from center. But for demonstration purposes, I decided to zero this rifle 2 inches high at 100 yards.


First I chose to let the AccuScope do the math for me for my elevation. I was 2-1/2 low so I added the 2 inches height I wanted: 4-1/2 inches total. But first I need to determine the click value of my scope.


You will find this information printed on the dial of your scope or inside the turrent caps.

  

Using the 1/4 MOA side of the AccuScope chart, I slid the card until I could read 4-1/2 in window "A". Next, I went to line "C" to find the yardage I was shooting from, which was "100". It told me the number of clicks to move in window "D", which read 18. So I added 18 clicks "up" on my Leupold.

Simple. 

Next, I repeated the process for windage. I slid the card to read 2-3/4 inches in window "A", found my yardage in line "C" and read the number of clicks I needed to move my impact left, which in window "D" was 11. So I moved the windage dial on the Leupold 11 clicks to the left.


Easy.






The next two shots, as you can see, hit exactly where I wanted them. That's how accurate the AccuScope can move a shot group or one single shot for you.

Then, just to see what the AccuScope (and my new rifle) was made of, I decided to go for the center of the target.

I measured from the center of the two shots to the center of the target. It was 2-1/4 inches. Again, I found 2-1/4 in window "A", then my yardage in line "C" (100 yards). Then I read my needed clicks in window "D", which was 9. So I came down 9 clicks on my elevation dial and you can see the result of my last three shots (I couldn't stop myself after seeing where the first one hit!).

As for the rifle that I was using for this demonstration, you'll have to wait until the summer to find that out. But I was impressed with it to say the least; you will be as well!

All I can say about the AccuScope is: get you one....NOW. It's a great tool that every shooter can use. It is very well built, it's printed on heavy card stock and is laminated for protection and durability. It's easy to read and is very easy to use.

The best way I can think to sum it up is:

          1. It works like they say it will.

          2. It is well worth the price.

          3. If I loose mine, I'll buy another.

You certainly won't see this on a table at a local yard sale, that is for sure!