what is a good beginner muzzle loader?

[mille lacs muskie bum]

I am looking for a reliable and affordable muzzle loader for a beginner. I was looking at the CVA firebolt. Any suggestions would help.

[lawdog]

That's a fine starter gun. I hunted with a CVA ultramag until I bought my Thompson Center Omega this year. The CVA's are a lot less expensive and they function as well as any gun I've shot really.

The big thing with ANY muzzleloader is TLC and LOTS of cleaning... Make sure too that you take that breach out and clean it especially well and then lubricate those threads good before you put it back in or you'll never get it out...

Whatever you buy, I recommend the 209 primers for spark and pellets instead of powder for much greater simplicity. I use Pyrodex and I know a lot of guys are down on it, but I've never had a problem with it. Triple 7 is supposed to be better, but I have never shot it and don't know anything about it. Don't necessarily assume you have to shoot 150 grains either because you don't and lots of guns won't even burn it all unless you get to the longer barreled magnums.

[Ely Lake Expert]

Something 50 Cal.

[Cooter]

Hey bum - I got a cheap CVA, its reliable and accurate. Probably $200 invested total. Can't use a scope here in WI so it only needs to be reliable and accurate out to 50 to 75 yards. A friend bought a Rossi(I think) designed like a break action single shot shotgun. He paid a little over a hundred bucks and I think its pretty slick.

[royalwolf]

What if a guy (me) is looking for something more "traditional?" Like a Hawken or something similar? I can't really get enthused about synthetic stocks on any gun. :b

Cabela's has Hawkens for something like $249. Anyone have something similar?

[Norsk Fisker]

I bought a cheap CVA Hunter Bolt, shoots great. I can shoot a respectable group at 60 yards and at 100 yards I can still keep them on a pie plate, and my eye sight isn't what it used to be. I have seen them advertized for about $99. I am thinking that it would be fun to go traditional, something about those old long guns.

[walleye_dan]

I bought a CVA sidelock (mountain stalker I think) a few years back from Bass Pro shops and I think I paid $80 for it. They don't sell them anymore, but this link takes you to the CVA HSOforum to a muzzleloader just like it.

http://www.cva.com/products/sidelocks_bobcat.htm

I like shooting traditional except for the #11 primers. My dad shoots an in-line and he said the 209 primers are the only way to go.

[RussDaBuss]

I used a CVA mountain stalker a couple times target shooting and had a terrible time having the caps go off. Might have been my primers. When the gun did go off, it was very accurate. I have since bought the Traditions Pursuit LT.. Nice gun. Very light and well balanced. Anyway, the 209 ignitions are awesome. I have shot this gun about 20 times now and I love those primers. Oh ya, it is very accurate as well. I am ready to hit the woods again the 27th. Now I am 100% sure that the gun will fire everytime and I like the idea that the primer is housed and protected from the elements with the inline breach plug...

good luck all!!!!

[eribac]

I've alway been intriged about using a ML for deer hunting. However, I don't know any who hunts with a ML.

So, I guess me question is: Does anyone have any good resources for learning about ML?

Also, is the entire state open to ML? If I purchased an All Season license next year, would I be able to hunt the firearms season up north, then hunt with ML season in the metro area?

[Cooter]

Eribac - An internet search or visit to the local library should be enough to give you a pretty idea about MLs.

[mechanictim]

I have federal firearms license and it seems every year i get a recall notice for a cva product. there usually is nothing wrong the gun just the remote possibility of an accidental discharge. That being said you may want to go to a thompson center black diamond or one of the knight packages(I wish knight would get away from their doggone discs) But as has been posted here before go with a 50 cal and 209 shotshell ignition. If you can borrow a gun for the season and if you really like hunting the muzzleloader season(you will) then buy a quality gun next year and skip the expense of the "starter gun". the big advantage of the higher cost rifles is an adjustable trigger and easier cleaning.

[mnmuzzleloader]

Last Year I bought a NEF Huntsman and have been very happy with it 209 primer and easy cleaning. Haven't taken anything with it yet but hopefully that will change next weekend.

[deeky]

I have a CVA Hawken, the sidelock traditional. I love it. A big part of my reason for getting into ML was for the tradition. Never had any trouble with it, but keep it very clean. Deffinitely like the set and hair trigger. Make sure you get one with a good front sight. Some have a simple brass blade on the front and some have gotten bent over in brush - forget about accuracy.

[irvingdog]

Quote:

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I have federal firearms license and it seems every year i get a recall notice for a cva product. there usually is nothing wrong the gun just the remote possibility of an accidental discharge.

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Whoops! Careful Tim. One recall in 10 years does not constitute a yearly recall as your post could be assumed to imply. CVA and BPI are very careful to remind dealers that there may still have been guns out there that were subject to a recall initiated in 1997 for guns made in 1995 and 1996. Yes, the guns had a potentially dangerous misfire situation, on a limited number of serial numbers.

Thompson Center Arms makes great and safe guns. And so does CVA.

[Krazy]

I have the CVA Bobcat that Walleye_Dan mentions, I also had problems with the caps not going off but I switched to the larger musket caps and it has worked fine since. Also mine never came with adjustable sights like the websight says(maybe befor they started that) But I put a peep sight on it and that has worked great. It is a good starter gun for some one who wants a tradional side lock.