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A local gunsmith converts M98 Mausers to muzzleloaders by using shotshell battery cup primers instead of percussion caps. The recess for the battery cup is cut into the breech plug, made of stainless steel and removeable with a special wrench through the action with the bolt removed. The battery cup is loaded into the breech plug by means of a slot milled in the right side of the receiver ring, just above the wood, using a small magnet to guide it into the recess.

He built a similar muzzleloader for me, using a Remington style action he built himself, in caliber .577. I use 550 grain lead bullets, which have pre-engraved rifling. This is achieved by means of a die, made from the cut-off portion of the original rifle barrel, through which the sized and lubricated bullets are forced. A 130 grain charge of black powder or Pyrodex makes a pretty effective load.

The Mauser bolt remains unaltered, except for the handle, which is modified to allow a low scope mounting. Tennessee hunting laws allow this and other "straight line" muzzle loaders to be used during muzzle loading season, which precedes the regular gun season and follows the archery season, which has recently been expanded to allow the use of crossbows.

With our present deer overpopulation, I would not be surprised to see fully automatic weapons permitted next. The list of permissable calibers has been expanded this year to include "any center fire caliber", presumably .22 Hornet, as well.

This year's deer "harvest" in my county alone numbers over 4,000, and the season still has another week to run. About twelve deer that I am aware of have been taken on my property so far this year, primarily does, but with a decent buck or two. I recently discovered the carcass of a spike buck, devoured by coyotes and vultures, lying in one of my fields near a road, whence it was presumably shot and left lying.

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