what is a good muzzleloader

[buck hunter]

i am looking for a good muzzleloader for cheap and i am looking at a cva optima the cva wolf and the cva buck horn magnum or a traditions pursuit lxt and the traditions youkon or can you recomend others i just to want to use something better than my side lock hawken

[oledeadeye]

if you deside on the traditions persuit let me know i have a 50 cal i would like to get rid of its new in box not trying to avertize just letting you know

[Rich M]

I bought the CVA WOLF, I like the break open design.

Look at Walmart for the muzzleloader, you may find a great deal.

[ColtWKnight]

Ive got an Optima. Its the best muzzleloader Ive ever had. Easy to clean, and accurate enough for 200 yard shots. The sights on mine are kinda cheap though, but most people use scopes these days anyhow.
The newer optimas are made better in my opinion.

[RAMJET]

I have a Traditions Kentucky rifle .50 Cal.
It is a wonderful wall ornament.
As a hunting rifle it is a piece of junk.
It is only accurate inside 50yds.
I would NOT recommend this rifle to anybody.
Poor quality craftsmanship.

There are better options available out there.

Ramjet

[killing time]

CVA optima these guns will flat out shoot. The last traditions I had was not a real good shooter.

[DinkKiller]

Ive got an Optima. Its the best muzzleloader Ive ever had. Easy to clean, and accurate enough for 200 yard shots. The sights on mine are kinda cheap though, but most people use scopes these days anyhow.
The newer optimas are made better in my opinion.



Ditto on the Omega.

I've owned 3 TC's, A Remington and a CVA. If you're price shopping, opt for the CVA Optima or Kodiak or even the Remington. If money isn't an object and you want a dang good rifle, get the Optima.

[d2huffman]

I have a Traditions Pursuit and if seems to be a pretty good gun for the price.

[Rich M]

Go with the Optima.

I have CVA Wolf - 2-1/4 to 2-1/2 inch groups at 100 yards with the Hornady SST 250 gr bullets and 85 grains of LOOSE pyrodex rifle/shotgun powder.

It is a picky little gun but I like the break open design and already own it... I think I spent about $250 in components to find a load it liked. BTW - it does NOT like 300 gr bullets - not at all - best groups there were in the 5 to 6 inch range.

I've heard good things about Hornady XTP bullets out of this gun with 85 gr of powder. May try it before the season opens...

My buddy has a CVA Optima - it outshoots my Wolf like there is no tomorrow.

All in all - I wouldn't get another Wolf. I'd spend the extra $100 on something better.

The Wolf will shoot okay - just keep the powder loads between 80 & 90 grains and you'll be fine...

[Lodiman]

My traditions kentucky rifle shoots pretty well. We use to have a black powder shoot at my farm, usually ten to 15 guys shooting. I won it 3 or 4 times with it and always was one of the better shooters. I don't like there trigger though and I don't like their ignition design. The 90 degree elbow is not good. The CVA and Thompson both had nicer triggers and a more relaible ignition but didn't necesarily shoot any more accurately. We did not have any inlines shooting. I don't really consider them a muzzle loader, and least not in the classic sense. I am all for regs like in many states, no scope, no inlines, heck, I'd even go for going back to flintlocks, Isn't that what the muzzle loading challenge is really all about. A classic old fashioned weapon which is more of a challenge.

[JimT]

I just picked up a CVA Kodiak Pro stainless thru Cabelas. $209.00 and is a good shooter. Looks cool also with the black spider web stock.

[buckgitter]

I just picked up a CVA Kodiak Pro stainless thru Cabelas. $209.00 and is a good shooter. Looks cool also with the black spider web stock.

I just ordered one today, should be here on Wednesday!!! Give me details of your shooting please. How does it group and what powder/bullet are you using???
Thanks

Chris

BTW they are on sale here for 249.99??? How did you get one for 209??? I ordered my camo at 209 but its through wholesale.......

[buckgitter]

i am looking for a good muzzleloader for cheap and i am looking at a cva optima the cva wolf and the cva buck horn magnum or a traditions pursuit lxt and the traditions youkon or can you recomend others i just to want to use something better than my side lock hawken

I bought a CVA KODIAK all camo model...Just got it today...To say I am impressed would be an understatement. For the money I couldn't have asked for more. If it shoot as well as it looks and feels then I will be real happy!! I have had all the TC muzzleloaders including the Pro Hunter.....They are great but for the price I would have chosen this one before I spent that much on them!!LOL I guess thats why you need to "test drive" them all!!

Chris

[JimT]

I agree. Seems like alot of gun for the money.......... You got my pm about it right buckgitter?

[buckgitter]

I agree. Seems like alot of gun for the money.......... You got my pm about it right buckgitter?

Yes...... I don't like powerbelts... I am going to try the shockwaves also...hopefully on Sat or Sunday....Let me know how it shoots if you get out before the weekend..

[.30 HART]

Hers my .02 I started shooting a MDM several years ago and havent looked back. It is without a doubt the most consistent shooting muzzleloader I have ever owned and I have tried quite a few. Look them up at MDM-muzzleloaders.com or phone 1-802-676-3311
I took the stainless Buckwacka model to Africa 3 yrs ago and it performed perfectly taking an Impala and a Blesbok....the Blesbok was 190 yds.
Im telling you these muzzleloaders shoot and you owe it to yourself to look at them.

[kyredneck1911]

Thompson Center Encore 209x50,,, NUFF SAID!!!
You can usually find a good used one around $300 or a new one for about $500 depending on what your idea of "cheap" is, but you will have one of the most accurate BP guns available.

[.30 HART]

Take a look at the MDM youll be pleased with its performance.

[buckgitter]

Thompson Center Encore 209x50,,, NUFF SAID!!!
You can usually find a good used one around $300 or a new one for about $500 depending on what your idea of "cheap" is, but you will have one of the most accurate BP guns available.

There ain't no used ones around here for 300$!!! I have been in the business a good while and never seen one go that cheap. Frames maybe but not the whole gun.....Have you checked the price of new ones lately?
I have had 6 different Encores and the only one I would recommend is the Pro Hunter. The accuracy was consistent from the 1st shot to about the 7th shot.....no change in loading either...bullet seated the same place...I think they finally open up the tolerances a little to accept the different types of sabots available....this is just my experience with the Encores...

[rooster52]

I have recently purchased a CVA KODIAK and a T/C OMEGA , they both shoot very good and they both cost arround $200. I would recomend either of these rifles.Easy to clean and accurate.

[buckgitter]

An omega a little over 200???? Is this the Z5??? Boy our distributors must me making a killing !!LOL

[.30 HART]

There ain't no used ones around here for 300$!!! I have been in the business a good while and never seen one go that cheap. Frames maybe but not the whole gun.....Have you checked the price of new ones lately?
I have had 6 different Encores and the only one I would recommend is the Pro Hunter. The accuracy was consistent from the 1st shot to about the 7th shot.....no change in loading either...bullet seated the same place...I think they finally open up the tolerances a little to accept the different types of sabots available....this is just my experience with the Encores...

I was going to ask going to ask 1911 to send me one or maybe two if he could get them that cheap. The barrel I bought shoots good but not great like had hoped. That 300.00 quote would have gotten me the barrel and maybe some bullets but not the powder, primers , sabots etc I got when I got this barrel.
Once again I would recommend the MDM as it is the best shooting muzzleloader I have ever seen. IT is a fairly small company but there customer service is second to none and they build a solid no nonsense rifle that performs.

[rooster52]

An omega a little over 200???? Is this the Z5??? Boy our distributors must me making a killing !!LOL

I bought the Omega on the auction ,New in The box . The Omega Z5 50 cal for $185 plus the shipping and the Kodiak 50 Nickel barrel for $159.00 plus tax, at MC Sports in Cadilac MI.
You can get some deals if you spend alot of time looking.

[buckgitter]

I bought the Omega on the auction ,New in The box . The Omega Z5 50 cal for $185 plus the shipping and the Kodiak 50 Nickel barrel for $159.00 plus tax, at MC Sports in Cadilac MI.
You can get some deals if you spend alot of time looking.

I spend A LOT of time looking!!! Just never have enough money!!!LOL

[greenshovel]

I was going to ask going to ask 1911 to send me one or maybe two if he could get them that cheap. The barrel I bought shoots good but not great like had hoped. That 300.00 quote would have gotten me the barrel and maybe some bullets but not the powder, primers , sabots etc I got when I got this barrel.
Once again I would recommend the MDM as it is the best shooting muzzleloader I have ever seen. IT is a fairly small company but there customer service is second to none and they build a solid no nonsense rifle that performs.

You beat me too it, lol. The barrels alone go for over $300. I also would like to know ere you can get an encore for $300....lol. I do own the Pro Hunter and I will say this I love the gun, it's my favorite out of the many that I do own. 30HART the MDM looks a lot like the H&R (New England Firearms) are the companies one and the same?