MuzzleLoaders

[Harmonator]

I am looking to get into muzzleloading, what brands and types would you recommend and why? Thanks for the help.

[SUNNYD]

OK I will start this one off...Thompson Center, Knight or CVA would be my top choices. I am a little bias toward TC as that is what I use, but the other two offer many nice choices as well. I would suggest .50 cal as it is more universal than the .45. Do your research and visit a few outdoors stores to see what brand is your best fit. Being comfortable with the weapon you have is the most important thing in my opinion. Good luck in your search!

Take care!

[Gissert]

I have a TC Omega and have been very happy with it.

[lawdog]

I also have the Omega and like the way the thing is built with the drop down trigger/hammer thing. If I had it to do over I'd probably buy the Encore though so I could switch barrels and have a rifle too.

I had a CVA before this gun and it was a good gun too.

Stick with the .50 cal for muzzleloader season use, but I'd think about a .45 if I was going to scope it and shoot it in the shotgun season...

[Walleyeguy31]

I recommend the TC Encore, very versatile.

[Rip_Some_Lip]

If you dont want to spend the money on the Encore, then the CVA Kodiak Magnum Pro is the competitor to the Encore. I picked one up recently and really like it. The pivot action is the same design as the Encore. I think the stainless steel finish (which I recomend over the blue finish)is about $100 less than the Encore.

[CrappieJohn]

I have the Winchester x-150 in-line in .45, scoped with a Bushnell Trophy in 1.75 to 4 power. Accurate, hard hitting. The Thompsons are an excellent choise as well.

[Hoytmystic]

If you are just starting look into a new england sidekick 50 cal. I have oneand love it. Simple, easy to clean. I use 245gr. powerbelt hollowpoints, and 100 grains of american pioneer powder. It works great.

[lcornice]

I currently have a T/C flintlock, CVA percussion, Knight MK-85, and a T/C Omega. I have previously owned 2-3 other Knights over the years. My favorite so far has been the Omega. It's extremely accurate, easy to clean, and amazingly reliable. The only downside to the Omega is the trigger. It's good but I think it could be better. The Knight trigger is a fully adjustable Timney so it's much more crisp. I tend to use the Omega with a scope during the gun season and the Knight with a peep during the muzzleloader season.

My only other advice would be to get a good gun that will last for years. There's a lot of junk out where the manufacturer is using cheap barrels, poor quality sights and triggers, etc. A $100 gun is well ... a $100 gun.

[Hines R]

I Really, Really like my TC Omega. If I had a little more cash laying around I probably would have gotten the TC Encore.

I'm shooting with 90 grains of loose Triple 7 with a 295 grain Powerbelt bullet. I started out trying to shoot higher powder loads but they we're just all over the paper and not holding a pattern. The Triple 7 loose is 15 percent more powerful than any of the other powders or pellets. This means that when I shoot 90 grains of loose Triple 7 powder I'm shooting the equivalent of 103.5 grains of powder. Most guys that are really into muzzleloaders recommend shooting loose powder and not the pellets since you can tune your load a lot more.

I really like how the Powerbelt bullets load and shoot. The other positive to the Powerbelt is that not all states allow a saboted bullet during Muzzleloader season. The Powerbelt's meet the criteria in all states for a legal muzzleloader season bullet.

I would also recommend putting the peep sight on if your going to stay with Iron sights. A lot of states don't allow optical sights/scopes during Muzzleloader seasons. I think I paid like 50 bucks for the aftermarket peep sight and it was definitely worth the money in my mind.

Ryan

[mouse56425]

Todays muzzleloaders have given us many options to choose from, it will be totally dependent on how much you want to spend. My suggestion would be to get a book on muzzleloading and do a lot of research. The main concern though , you will find, is keeping your gun clean! This is the number one priority. Muzzleloading is not a sport for someone that wants to take a couple of shots at a target and then put gun away til next year. Experiment with different powders,loads, and projectiles. Round ball/patch to maxi-ball to powerbelt/sabot style bullets. There are many books out on this subject. The last thing you want is something to go wrong on your deer of a lifetime!

[Hines R]

Their is so much information and choices that it gets really hard. I was really lucky that the guy I bought from was really knowledgeable when I bought mine. I asked for the best guy they had for Muzzleoaders and he'd been hunting for years with Muzzleloaders and really knew his stuff. I just pretty much asked him to help me get everything I really needed and I pushed for a little discount on a lot of the extra's. Certain things like the bullets, powder, gun, they won't lower the price on. Most places will price match though. When you get a muzzleloader their is like a list of possible things you need to get.

Waterproof gear box to hold everything, couple speed loaders, bore cleaner, patches, bullets, powder, gun oil, breech plug lube, ?gun case. I forget the name of it but you usually need a little bag or holder for reloading when your in the stand. If your treestand hunting this bag isn't that critical because a second shot isn't all that likely, and will hopefully not be needed. You could just keep your reloading stuff in a pocket of your fanny pack.

Having one knowledgeable guy get you started with the basics of what you really need will save you money in the long run and help you start out on the right foot.

I will say that I couldn't be happier that I got a Muzzleloader though, and I really learned a lot.

Ryan

[ddsbyday]

I think you can skip the gun oil,it reacts with the blackpowder which is corrosive. Use bore butter or heat crisco over some patches. Use hot water to clean the barrel(I take mine to the carwash). Easy!

[Harmonator]

Thanks a lot for the responses guys, I really appreciate it. Looks like I have some research and a lot of talking to do. Went and looked at some muzzleloader yesterday at the new Cabelas. I really seem to like the price and feel of the Optima, just seemed to fit me better. I will advise on which one I purchase. Thanks again.

Tom