Which budget muzzleloader?

[Orion6]

I'm trying to get back in the game after a 5-year absence. I sold a lot of my hunting gear (long, boring story) and am slowly replacing it.

Of the budget ML offerings like the CVA Wolf, TC Impact, and Traditions Buckstalker, what do you like and why?

My self-imposed budget is about $250, and these are the models in that range.

I'm a CVA guy going way back, but I find the Optimas I had were a bit heavy for my taste. I know the Wolf is probably a tad lighter. I am leaning towards the Impact because it's made in the USA, and the design of the stock seems more "traditional" in nature. I know nothing about the Buckstalker.

Thanks for any advice.


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[fairchaser]

With the smokeless craze going on, I bet you can find a higher quality ML for your price. I sold a TC Omega last year for about that price with a laminate stock and it was a great gun. Good luck!

 

[GMB54]

Just realize neither the Impact or Buckstaker are available in stainless. Both are either blued or coated. You can get a Wolf or Optima in SS and the new Optima V2 is pretty lightweight. Its claimed to be 6.65lbs. The Wolf is 6.25lbs. The Impact is 6.95lbs and it might have issues shooting conicals. The CVAs shoot conicals fine but TCs can be problematic occasionally.

Frankly, nothing Traditions offers impresses me at all.

 

[MUP]

I bought my daughter the SS CVA Wolf and it handled and shot so well that I bought myself one as well.

 

[CHRIS WILSON]

Of the ones you listed, I'd lean towards the cva wolf. A good friend had an impact for a bit and neither of us were really impressed with it. He ended up giving it to his son and he now shoots a cva wolf. The trigger feels so much better and it's quite the shooter. I have the v2 optima and it's a good bit lighter than the older models. A stainless model is just a touch above your $250 budget but they are great rifles.

 

[Carlos Viagra]

I have a 50 cal CVA Staghorn Magnum with scope, that I'd sell for $175. It's setup for 209 primers, has a 26" barrel, and has a great trigger.

I'm in Crossville, let me know if you're interested.

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[Orion6]

Of the ones you listed, I'd lean towards the cva wolf. A good friend had an impact for a bit and neither of us were really impressed with it. He ended up giving it to his son and he now shoots a cva wolf. The trigger feels so much better and it's quite the shooter. I have the v2 optima and it's a good bit lighter than the older models. A stainless model is just a touch above your $250 budget but they are great rifles.

I'm going stainless for sure. Been there done that.



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[swd]

I got the Optima V2 with nitride and an inexpensive scope for about $100 over your budget. Pretty sure there are options in the Wolf lineup that meet your criteria. I almost picked up the Wolf until I found this deal on the Optima.

 

[CHRIS WILSON]

Of the ones you listed, I'd lean towards the cva wolf. A good friend had an impact for a bit and neither of us were really impressed with it. He ended up giving it to his son and he now shoots a cva wolf. The trigger feels so much better and it's quite the shooter. I have the v2 optima and it's a good bit lighter than the older models. A stainless model is just a touch above your $250 budget but they are great rifles.

I'm going stainless for sure. Been there done that.



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My V2 optima rifle is actually blued with black synthetic. Picked it up on clearance in early 2017 for a steal of a price. I believe that was the last year they made the optima in blued steel. They're all stainless and nitride now. With proper care blued steel rifles do just fine. Just need to be more vigilant about cleaning. Now, my Optima V2 pistol is stainless but I'm still pretty anal about cleaning it.

 

[stringtalker]

That's easy, the CVA wolf. Mine will shoot with ones that cost twice as much. Muzzleloader.com had the blued ones for $177

 

[ROVERBOY]

That's easy, the CVA wolf. Mine will shoot with ones that cost twice as much. Muzzleloader.com had the blued ones for $177

If I ever get another inline that's the one I'm gonna buy.

 

[JCDEERMAN]

With the smokeless craze going on, I bet you can find a higher quality ML for your price. I sold a TC Omega last year for about that price with a laminate stock and it was a great gun. Good luck!

The TC Omega is my favorite gun I own. TC muzzleloaders and other rifles are some really good guns.

 

[MUP]

That's easy, the CVA wolf. Mine will shoot with ones that cost twice as much. Muzzleloader.com had the blued ones for $177

If I ever get another inline that's the one I'm gonna buy.

Get the SS model. Ive heard from a guy that has , or rather had, the blued model and he said it would rust up at nothing, and was really hard to keep clean from the surface rust. I have 2 CVA SS Wolf models and they are nice little ML's for sure. Compact and maneuverable, and shoot just about anything you stuff down the tube well.

 

[ROVERBOY]

That's easy, the CVA wolf. Mine will shoot with ones that cost twice as much. Muzzleloader.com had the blued ones for $177

If I ever get another inline that's the one I'm gonna buy.

Get the SS model. Ive heard from a guy that has , or rather had, the blued model and he said it would rust up at nothing, and was really hard to keep clean from the surface rust. I have 2 CVA SS Wolf models and they are nice little ML's for sure. Compact and maneuverable, and shoot just about anything you stuff down the tube well.

Thanks MUP, that's good to know.

 

[jejeffrries71]

Used is often the best bargain. Of course, asking about buying a budget muzzleloader right before the season (Monday the 28th for a bunch of us) is probably not the cheapest time.

 

[Back Home]

With the smokeless craze going on, I bet you can find a higher quality ML for your price. I sold a TC Omega last year for about that price with a laminate stock and it was a great gun. Good luck!

The TC Omega is my favorite gun I own. TC muzzleloaders and other rifles are some really good guns.

Was looking at this gun as a possible new purchase. Just noticed that Bass Pro and Cabelas don't carry it anymore online. They used to.

 

[GMB54]

Omega has not been made in several years.

 

[BLC]

There are lots of options out there.
I'm a TC fan for many years....

 

[whwood21]

Took my T/C impact out this weekend to sight-in the new scope. Very very pleased with this rifle considering the small amount I have invested in it. Shooting from a sand bag I was able to get a great four shot grouping at 100 yards.....although there was a flyer on #3 due to my error. This is using 100 grains blackhorn 209, 250 grain T/C shockwave spire tip and CCI 209 magnum primers. Doesn't get much better other than shooter skill! #1 and #2 holes touching at 100 yards impressed me and was very satisfying. #4 was right around an inch above #1 and #2. I am pleased. (Photo uploaded sideways for some reason)

 

[whwood21]

Oh yea and I never cleaned the barrel. Roughly 15 shots altogether after playing around. Only two wet patches after the range and she was clean. I do break the breech plug loose and re-seat every two shots to prevent it from locking up from powder residue.

 

[GMB54]

BH209 wont seize the plug like other powders.

 

[whwood21]

Good to know! I just do it to be safe. I did have it get "tighter than normal" on me several times in the past so I like to be cautious. I also put a thin layer of anti-seize on the threads.

 

[Back Home]

Update --- I tried a few different bullets in the Encore before spending money on a new gun. Much better results with the TC Shockwave Superglides, but even they are hard to push down the barrel. I'm going to back off the 120 grains next year and see if this helps.