What is the Best Muzzleloader Scope? Crimson Trace Brushline Pro BDC

I just got back from a range day with my brand new Crimson Trace BDC muzzleloader riflescope. I was able to zero my BDC muzzleloader scope within 2 rounds at 100 yards with the help of the Wheeler Laser Bore Sighter. 

I’m shooting with more confidence with my muzzleloader since I’ve started using the CT BDC muzzleloader scope. This is why the Brushline Pro BDC Muzzleloader scope is the best muzzleloader scope I’ve shot with. The MSRP is much closer to $239.95, I was able to get a great deal on this scope for $193.47 at Amazon and haven’t looked back. 

Why is a Muzzleloader Good to Hunt With?

We all have our personal preferences with the type and style of guns we hunt with, but a muzzleloader has a special history to the foundation of our country. American’s have been using a muzzleloader since the beginning. Even now, it continues to be improved and modified for modern shooting.

A muzzleloader is great to hunt with because it helps to learn how to use the raw materials in rifles. Since I’ve been muzzleloading I’ve noticed that I understand more about bullet weight, charge weight, and the importance of adjusting your loads to the distance and conditions of your hunt. I honestly don’t know if I would have learned ammo without picking up a muzzleloader or loading my own ammo. 

Finally, with the exception of archery, a muzzleloader gives you the most hunting time of any other gun. Rifle season was extended by 3 weeks in Virginia and many other states across the country to combat Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD). 

Even with the extension, you can use a muzzleloader for 2 months versus 5 weeks with a bolt-action rifle. In short, if you like to hunt as often as possible, your best bet is to get a muzzleloader and mount a nice scope, such as the Brushline Pro BDC Muzzleloader scope.

How Do I Zero a Brushline Pro BDC Muzzleloader Scope?    

I shot today because it was only 34°F outside today and I wanted to test the performance of the scope and new muzzleloader in cold and windy weather. I’ve always been a firm believer in training in the same environment you’ll be hunting in. Here is a list of the steps I took to zero my muzzleloader:

1. I set out my target at 25 yards and placed the white reflective paper on my target.
2. I used the Wheeler Professional Laser Bore Sighter to zero. For the sake of this blog, I will show you how to zero as if you didn’t have a laser bore sighter. Fortunately, you can read how I zeroed my muzzleloader with the Laser Bore Sighter, here. 
3. Once you gain control of the rifle, turn the magnification all the way to 9x and dial in the reticle focus. (Tip: The reticle focus doesn’t change the target focus, only the reticle)
4. Set your eye relief to between 3.5"-5" from your eye. I have better clarity closer to a 5" eye relief for this scope.
5. Get a shooting position at 25 yards and take a shot (I would highly recommend a shooting platform, such as the Caldwell Lead Sled). 
6. After your first shot, you should be able to tell if you’re on paper or not. That’s why it’s always best to use a larger target. Once you’re on paper, you start to adjust the windage and elevation to get on target (Top cap is the Elevation Turret and the side cap is the Windage Turret).
7. Each click you hear is ¼ MOA (.25"), which means if you need to go up 2 inches you would need 8 clicks counterclockwise. 
8. Once you’re dialed in at 25 yards, move the target to 50 yards and take 2-3 shots. 
9. Make your necessary adjustments and follow up with 2 more shots to confirm zero at 50 yards.
10. Move your target to 100 yards and take 3 shots to confirm your zero. Make any necessary adjustments and follow up with 2 shots to confirm your zero.

Specs

Why Choose the Brushline Pro BDC 3-9x Reticle?

I use the Brushline Pro BDC 3-9x scope on my Thompson T/C Impact SB. The Crimson Trace BDC reticle is better for hunting because it offers more precise aiming points at ranges longer than 100 yards. If you’re interested in learning more about the Crimson Trace BDC Reticle, read our last blog, Best Muzzleloader Scope Under $200 | Crimson Trace Brushline Pro BDC Reticle Scope.

The presets of the BDC are designed for the typical ranges of a muzzleloader. This is a distinctive advantage over a Plex reticle. I know that with the BDC reticle, each point from my crosshairs and A-C is 25 yards apart.  If there is any rifle that needs a BDC reticle, it’s a muzzleloader for sure. As you’d suspect, a black powder rifle can’t shoot as far or effectively as a modern centerfire bolt-action rifle. 

Most Plex reticles are set up to 50-yard increments, which make it harder to gauge your bullet drop. It would make it more difficult for a muzzleloader because there could be an 11" bullet drop difference per 100 yards. 

The Crimson Trace BDC reticle is meant for modern in-line muzzleloaders, which very few companies can argue. With shorter increments to account for a larger bullet drop, this scope feels like it’s made for the Thompson T/C Impact SB.

How far can you accurately shoot a muzzleloader?

There are so many variables when it comes to the max effective range of a muzzleloader. For example, the length of the barrel, the type of bullets, the amount of black powder, and the weight of the bullet will all impact the effective range of a muzzleloader. 

As I zeroed in my Brushline Pro BDC reticle scope, I was hitting my target at 100 yards with a bullseye shot. However, I used one of the heaviest bullets you could shoot with (385 gr) to ensure I cut through the wind at the range. 

A heavier bullet will have a bigger drop when you start moving out past 150 yards. The furthest shot that I’d be comfortable taking with a muzzleloader is about 175 yards (zero value wind).

How Does the Crimson Trace BDC Improve Max Effective Range?

The BDC reticle is designed to calculate the drop of a bullet at specific distances (100, 125, 150 yards, etc…). In turn, the BDC reticle gives us as shooters more confidence to know that if we’re on target, the bullet drop is already calculated. This provides faster adjustments and more backstrap on the grill. 

Why is it Important to Mark the Ramrod of Your muzzleloader?

Many people mark their ramrod with a little notch at the spot where it hits the bottom of the barrel. This is done to guide you on where you need to push the ramrod when you load your bullet and black powder. 

Fortunately, the new Thompson T/C Impact SB ramrod doesn’t need to be notched because it’s made to reach the bottom with the handle is deployed. This is great for seating your bullet and powder, but not great when you have to clear the barrel of a stuck bullet. 

What Do You Need to Muzzleloader Hunt?

Speaking of stuck bullets, I always bring a cleaning rod with both patches and bore brushes meant for the .50 Cal barrel. Generally, you won’t have to worry about getting off multiple shots with a muzzleloader. It’s too loud with a cloud of smoke. Everything within sight will be gone before the smoke clears. Below is a list of the items I bring on a muzzleloader hunt for my rifle and components. 

1. Tipton Carbon-Fiber Cleaning Rod (36" Cleaning Rod)
2. Bullets (Hornady Great Plains 385 Gr Lead Bullet)
3. Paradox Pellets (2 Tubes while hunting)
4. Sabots when I carry different ammo (Hornady Great Plains 385 Gr Lead Bullet doesn’t fit all sabots)
5. Tipton Bronze bore brush (.50 Cal size)
6. Waterproof gun carrying case (If your powder gets wet, you won’t be able to shoot effectively, if at all)
7. Waterproof carrying case to store gunpowder, bullets, and sabots (if used)
8. Always double check to see if your ramrod is put with the muzzleloader
9. I always carry a hand towel and microfiber cleaning towel when I hunt to wipe my scope lens or water away from my barrel
10. Cleaning spray or lube should always be carried when dealing with a muzzleloader. 

Where Can I Buy the Crimson Trace Brushline Pro Muzzleloader?

• Amazon-$ 193.47
• Crimson Trace- $195.00
• Sportsman’s Guide- $229.00
• Sportsman’s Warehouse- $239.95
• Brownells- $229.95

Conclusion

For $193.47, I got a muzzleloader scope that is easy to zero and durable enough for freezing temps and high winds. The CT scope is accurate enough to put me on target with more precise aiming points than a traditional Plex reticle. 

The Brushline Pro looks great, handles great, and is more affordable than any other scope with the features that Crimson Trace offers. If you haven’t got yourself a muzzleloader scope yet, this is a steal for any hunter. Good Luck!

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