Gonna Make the Move

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backroads

backroads

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Nov 22, 2010
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Giles Co
I think this is the year I start hunting with a muzzleloader. I've never paid attention to them and to be honest I am clueless about them. I think my budget will be +/- $600 this summer.

What suggestions do you have for my budget; rifle, scope, primer, powder, sabot?

Let me know of anything I should pay attention to when searching.

Thanks
 
smokeless :) you can get a good smoke pole for that plus a scope unless you go to the upper end Encore ect.. blackhorn seems to be gaining popularity except for the price. killed a lot of deer with pyrodex & 777 with power belts but some folks claim they bounce off of deer lol. lot of choices so look around & don't buy the first rifle you look at.
 
Omega or Encore would be my choice. Lot of good used muzzleloaders out there. Take your time and ask a lot of questions.
 
I was looking at three popular brands; T/C, CVA and Traditions just because they have package deals. One thing I was noticing is CVA barrel is 3 inches shorter than the other two. I'm not sure that makes a big difference. On my property it is all hard woods and the longest shot is 100 yards and most shots are less than that. Now, at by buddies property it has wide open spaces so you are limited to the capability of the rifle.

I'll have to keep researching and take a look at smokeless as well. I appreciate your suggestions.
 
I like the idea of buying American made. I was looking at the Knight Disc Extreme as an option.

Can you use pellets with Knight? I didn't notice that as an option on their web page for powder. I was thinking that would be easier to manage if you didn't end up shooting and wanted to unload. I guess there is a way to unload with powder as well? I guess all else fails, just shoot a tree. A guy at work today was telling me about his Knight and how much he likes it.

The T/C Triumph Bone Collector is a nice looking rifle with good reviews. I notice they have a package on Cabela's with a Bushnell DOA 3-9x40 scope, and hard case for $799. ($100 off normal price)

The learning process continues.
 
Yes, you can use pellets in a Knight but I would recommend that you use powder instead of pellets. It will be easier for measuring your loads and being consistent. The powder is easily removed if you need to. But that's just me...used pellets but now only use powder.

Two year's ago I went to Blackhorn 209 and really like it but you can use Pyrodex as well. I just got real tired of the dreaded crud ring that Pyrodex has. Zero crud ring with BH209. I have also left my ML loaded for days, weeks, with BH209 still in it with no ill effects whatsoever.
 
88Mic said:
one other thing look out for cva to many recalls and problems.
Click to expand...
that was in about 1996 or so, do you have some info of other recalls since? .I've seen no other major problems other than lack of cleaning that affects any muzzle loader
 
thomson center magnaflux barrels, cva and tradition does not all they do is make the barrel and put it in a box thats it.
and one other thing begera barrels had to hire a US gun smith to go over there and help them with there barrels.
Mmm you make barrel and you don't test them ship them to us we buy them because they are cheap.
All I got to say is good luck with your cva and tradition because I will never own one...and that's just my opinion.
all I'm saying is due you home work.
 
Everything I own is CVA, muzzleloader and deer rifle. I have never had a problem with any of them. They shoot where you aim and never give you any problems, Every gun maker does something that someone does not like. If you aint at the factory when they make the gun and watch them make the gun, then you cant say they make it this way or that way. If you want to pay $800 or $900 for a gun, more power to you. I cant afford it and IMO they aint worth it. Buy what you feel comfortable with and what you like, good huntn!!!!
 
I've never had a problem with cva, but Thompson center has recalled about every frigin rifle they have ever made
 
Rockhound said:
I've never had a problem with cva, but Thompson center has recalled about every frigin rifle they have ever made
Click to expand...

That's a little bit of an overstatement Rockhound. I have three TCs and none of them have been recalled (New Englander, Renegade and Omega X7). However, CVA had a recall for guns made in 1995-96 that covered 55,000 MLs. So, both companies have had to recall muzzleloaders due to safety reasons and both companies still make good, quality rifles. The quality control and also the safety concerns have resulted in both CVA and TC, as well as Knight, tightening up their process and making excellent, safe. quality rifles.
 
I'm partial to Knight's and T/C mz's. I currently have an Encore and if you miss with it then it's your fault because it's a tack driver. Had an Omega and it was the same way.

I personally do not like a CVA. It's just like Ford and Chevy, boxers or briefs. Everyone has a good and bad opinion on every single brand. Just get the feel for one you like and go with that "gut instinct".
 
mike243 said:
smokeless :) you can get a good smoke pole for that plus a scope unless you go to the upper end Encore ect.. blackhorn seems to be gaining popularity except for the price. killed a lot of deer with pyrodex & 777 with power belts but some folks claim they bounce off of deer lol. lot of choices so look around & don't buy the first rifle you look at.
Click to expand...

I would do what Mike said at this stage if I were listening to folks............smokeless is awesome!
 
my dad nearly disowned me for buying a cva apex 3 years ago all he has ever owned is tc and they are great guns I have no problem with them I just liked the apex better but the first year I bought the apex he was having accuracy issues with his tc and after I smoked two within minutes of each other I bowhunted the rest of the week and offered my dad my apex. The next day he smoked a big ole doe and a nice eight point. he hasn't made fun of me since I also use powerbelts 223 with 150 grain 777 pellets I have seen a lot of negative posts on here about those bullets but I have never had any issues whatsoever with them so far they have dropped every deer they have shot at with great blood trails and short tracking jobs. I don't bash other peoples choices in ammo or rifles bows etc some peoples so called trash might be someone elses treasure
 

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