You know I love topics like this because they can often bring out so much interesting information
See the thing about history is that there is no black and white , wet or dry .
In fact there simply is not one simple factual . This is how it was anywhere .
You simply cannot say NO did not happen because we don’t know . The best one can say is ; it was un common .
Where we run into issues is when people take history and twist the un common for their own benefit and thus try to make folks believe it was common .
That happens a lot in just about every subject mater .
Case in point . How did the idea that smooth bores carry no rear sights ever come about ? It most certainly cant be supported with documentation . In fact surviving examples for the most part complete disprove the notion . Yet time and time again people repeat it .
This same thing goes on and on . From inconsistencies of the flintlock ignitions , percussion ignitions , effectiveness of the RB .
IMO scopes also often fall into this category .
Why ?
Well I think its because folks want something so they find a picture and say LOOK here it is . But the never look past what they want to see .
Case in point . Pick up a copy of the muzzle loading Cap lock rifle by Ned Roberts
Open it up , thumb through it . At first glance a person wanting to justify early scopes on hawkens rifles would simply be falling all over themselves looking at example after example.
The simply is all kinds of scopes from those of Malcolm , Billing Hurst , to Brockway
But guess what , none of the rifles are any more hawkens then a TC or CVA hawkens is anything like a hawkens
We then could also look ,,,,,, in this one book ,,,,,, just alittle slower and come to the conclusion that all these rifles are small caliber target rifles and conclude they are conical rifles .
But again we would only be seeing part of the picture .
Because if we take the time to actual read the book we find that there are rifles in there that are dedicated RB rifles show . There are also rifles shown with scopes in calibers larger then 50 . In fact there are as I recall a number of 56 cal and a couple 58 cal .
Could these be used for hunting rifles
Yep any one of them .
But that’s not what this book is showing . Its showing information on dedicated target rifles . In order to get every day protection , / hunting / average . We have to make a conclusion, base in our own mind over what we are clearly being shown .
If we lean the other way and say that the book is proof that said rifles were not used for hunting or that every day protection , / hunting / average rifles did not carry scopes .
We have made the very same mistake .
So my thought is that if we ask
1) were there scopes during the muzzle loading eras
We have to say yes
2) if ask were they used on muzzle loading rifles
We have to say yes
3) were they used on everyday run of the mill personal rifles .
We simply have to say , we need more info , who ,what, were, when
Because frankly the supporting information is very limited
4) when approuched with the modern issues of scopes by the likes of TB .
we have to simply point out that the scopes of old , are not the scopes of today and if one wants to use those exsamples as proof of scopes , then they should be required to also US only scopes of that quality and technolgy .
Now past the historical issue and on to scopes .
Myself personally I have a real big issue with modern optics on muzzle loading rifles .
For every legitimate person who do to handycap , needs a scope . There are probably 100 other who say the need a scope but don’t
IMO muzzle loading season were brought about by people who wanted to experience a challenge that they could not safely get in a general season
It was different and it did not suit a vast majority of folks .
But today all that is forgotten . Instead the challenge must be modified to allow everyone vs. simply stating here is the opportunity . Maybe its for you , for any given number of reasons maybe its not .
I have no issues with someone who is truly and medically proven to be handicap who wants to experience the sport , being given a waver to allow them the equipment to do so .
However at the same time I expect people to have the mental aptitude to be able to stand back and say ; you know im just not as young as I used to be . Climbing that mountain at 3 am I just cant do anymore , I have to accept that .
But in todays works the government better come in and build a blood 4 lain highway with rest stations and handicap access , every 10 miles , all the way to the top .
I have told folks this time and time again . . Myself as I get older , I enjoy the hunt more and more . I also at the same time enjoy the killing less and less ..
Myself I cant see like I did when I was 20 . Im not as strong as I was when I was 30 .
My hold and accuracy with my rifles is getting weaker and weaker each year .
But that doesn’t stop me from going out sitting under a tree and if a deer or elk comes along that’s within my REALISTIC range , well then I might or might not take a shot .
If I see something that’s to far . Well I get off my dead A$$ and get closer . If it turns out I don’t get a shot . Well guess what , it still was a very good hunt .
So to your friend I would say this . If its aloud for him to get a scope , then get a scope . If the need is that great , don’t fool around . Get what is needed .
But as he is ploping the money down realize that its only a mater of time and that scope will no longer work for him . Or for that mater any of us .
We all must at some time succumb just as all those before us did and realize we are not as capable as we once was .
To close this very long post that im very sorry to have written I want to say this .
When it comes to topics like this it reminds me of the accounts of Daniel Boone in his later years when he was to weak to walk far and to blind to see .
They say he still enjoyed hunting .
Even though it was simply holding a rifle and setting under a tree not far from his home
Was that man enjoying the hunt or longing for past hunts . There was a time when I would have said the later . But as I get older and can look down and see what I very much remember my fathers hands looking like . I am more and more certain each day that old Daniel was enjoying the hunt in all it TRUE glory
Anyway that’s my thoughts on the mater . I hope you all get it figured out .
Be safe
