Help me pick a Muzzleloader

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sjalter

sjalter

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Joined
Dec 28, 2006
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391
City & State/Province
Hillsboro, TN
I would like to buy a Muzzleloader but I have no experience with them. Knowing what you all know about them what would you buy?
Please list manufacturer, model, and caliber. Also what is the maximum effective range for a .50 cal, would you get better range with a .40 or .45 cal?
 
I'm afraid you'll have to just try them out and see what feels right to you. Top names (Thompson Center, Knight, CVA, Traditions, Remington, NEF/H&R, etc) all have good stuff.

Some people love thumbhole stocks, I hate them. Thousands of people love the TC Encore, but I find the stocks too short for me.

Personally, I'd stick with 50 caliber, and I'd like to get my hands on the new Knight KP1.
 
Thanks for your reply jakeway, I guess I should have mentioned I am limited on what I can spend. I'd like something affordable yet with decent range. I've heard the names you mentioned and I've heard people have had good luck with Knight and Savage.
 
You will probably be able to find more accessories and bullets in .50 caliber. If you are limited on what you can spend I would go with a CVA Optima. I'm not an expert but I don't think you would get more range out of a .45 caliber, just less drop.
 
With the season almost over you have 9 months to save up and get what you want. I've had CVA's and was never satisfied with quality and the weight. Finally ended up handling a TC Encore. The last ML I will buy. Great quality combined with accuracy in a lightweight rifle.
 
I have an omega and its a great shooter. If you have the money for the savage, thats the one I would go for. It uses smokeless powder which means its allot easier to clean and can achieve higher muzzle velocities over the other ML's.

I'd go with 50 cal.
 
I have a TC Omega, camo stock, SS barrel.
I like everything about this ML,and reccomend it to anyone.
Very reasonable price,and is more gun for the money than I expected it to be. Good quality, performs well in bad weather conditions,and cleaning is easy.

The only other ML I would ever consider it I want to take it up a notch is the Savage smokeless.

I am not happy with the Nikon Omega scope on mine,and am replacing it with a Zeiss Conquest, or a VX-III.
This ML needs a better scope for my hunting. The gun is capable of more than this Nikon scope can provide me.
 
With no experience, the best beginners gun is a Knight Wolverine - around $200.

Next step would be the Savage at about $500.

Final choice would be to send me about $1500 to put you one together for the #1b baddest/fastest mz in TN (#1a is mine). :grin:
 
Between me and my son we have 4, all TCs. I just purchased a TC Triumph. Havn't shot it yet but if feels great nad doesn't get any simpler to use and clean. Should be the last I ever buy. I shopped on the net and got a good price.
 
Ruger M77/50
Stainless barrel, laminated stock.
You will have to buy an aftermarket 209 conversion kit but once you do, you will have one of, if not THE best muzzleloader out there.
Just my humble opinion.



Just make sure you buy a 50 caliber and make sure you buy an inline with 209 primer ignition.
Other than that, there ain't that much difference in any of them.
UNLESS you get the smokeless savage.
 
Just bought a CVA Optima Elite 50 caliber along with a .270 barrel. I've got a muzzie and centerfire in one package!
 
Swamphunter said:
I had a TC. I prefer a Knight. ;)
Click to expand...

What did you like about the Knight?
Mine was not as user friendly as my TC is. I like this gun with the SS barrel better than I expected to.
 
If you want to buy the best, no one is going to disagree on the Savage smokless. If I ML hunted more often, or hunted where longer shots were required, I would own one myself.

If not there are a lot of good inlines to choose from.
I like TC, but Knight, CVA and even Traditions makes a shooter for a very small amount of money.
 
I have a T/C Encore and love it. However, it is expensive. I have owned CVAs in the past and have had few problems. For the money, the CVA Optima is hard to beat. It is not as expensive but still shoots good.
 
I disagree that Savage is THE BEST.

For the money-

under $250 - Knight makes the wolverine. Its the best in this class.

Next would be either an Encore or Savage. Either one will lighten your wallet by $600 or so. The main benefit that most users of the Savage will see over the Encore is NO CLEANING. There is no more distance benefit over the Encore or the Wolverine using SAVAGE RECOMMENDED LOADS. (Drop may be 8-10" less at 300, but an experienced shooter could overcome this with the Encore or Knight - its just drop).

The best is a custom. There is a benefit here with extended ranges. At a minimum you will spend $1500 to get here. FWIW - The custom route blisters factory loads in the Savage.

I have done all three and if I just wanted to walk in the woods - once,twice a year - I would recommend the Knight @ $200 or so.
 

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