MovieChat Forums > Mountain Men (2012) Discussion > What is with these one-shot muzzle-loadi...

What is with these one-shot muzzle-loading rifles they're using?

posted 8 years ago by jgroub
4 replies | jump to latest

I'm still catching up in watching the previous seasons. I'm watching the second season, where Eustace and Preston using single-shot rifles to hunt squirrel. (I already started a different thread about Kyle using one of these in season 4 to chase off a bear.)

"professionaloutdoorsman" answered me in that other thread that these aren't Civil War relics; these are modern rifles. I can confirm that, as they had a closeup of Eustace's rifle that had some modern legalistic disclaimer stamped into the barrel.

But why would anyone want to buy/use one of these? If you're going to buy a new rifle, why not buy one that shoots more than one shot at a time? It takes about 20 seconds - at least - to reload one of these muzzle-loaders. I am a city-boy and I just don't get it.

I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

[–] ryan-anderson 8 years ago

I don't get that either. Maybe they are really cheap. (Although I can't imagine that they would be extremely cheap in comparison to a bolt action rifle.)

Ignoring: QuesterJonesV, MythicCDXX, Creeping Jesus/Judas, RonPaul_Lies, Digby (and aliases), ibestupid, Holiday_Hobo, sharon_18, TilaMoo, Okie-from-Muskogee/boo321, NorCalNik, Nullifidian

[–] UncleRob 8 years ago

I'm guessing they want to be authentic old-timey mountain men and not have any modern conveniences. Plus, they can make their own bullets.

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You have meddled with the primal forces of nature, and YOU ... WILL ... ATONE!

[–] cassie31106 8 years ago

Actually, in hunting season, there are "primitive weapon" days, just like there are doe days. These rifles are considered primitive as well as bow and arrow. So if it is early in the season when the crew is filming, like it usually is, that's why they are using those rifles.

[–] amendez-60985 8 years ago

for most animals you really only one get one shot anyway, the animal will haul butt and disappear if you miss and you will probably not hit it while it is moving away anyway. it is also done because it requires more skill, like people who own rifles but choose to hunt with a bow and arrow and they take pride that they can do it.

it doesn't seem a good choice where there are predators, like when kyle fired one shot at the bear and then had to reload. in that situation you would definitely be better off with a different weapon.