Muzzleloaders in 2020

[spinmove_]

So, this year I'll be missing out on hunting with the family because of Covid and my mom being scared to death of it. I missed out last year due to work issues beyond my control. Next year I want to try to maximize my time since I've not been able to go. Centerfire season is only for about 2 weeks in MI, so I was thinking about getting into a muzzleloader since it'll let me hunt longer next season. What sorts of muzzleloaders should I be looking at and why?

[rd62]

Following with interest

[mtnbkr]

If you have an Encore, the Katahdin 50cal barrel is nice, but can be hard to find.

Aside from the early Remington ML700 I had, that is the only muzzleloader I've owned.

If I were buying again today, I'd look for a 50cal (use sabots for 44 or 45 cal bullets), in-line, 209 primers, quick remove breech, and easy access to load primers (some are more fiddly than others).

BH209 powder is the only one I'll use now. I can go 20+ shots at the range without cleaning. I could only go 2-3 with Pyrodex as a comparison. Clean up with BH209 is with the same stuff you'd clean your centerfire guns with.

BTW, any specific regs you need to adhere to? Such as flintlock-only (Pennsylvania)?

Chris

[spinmove_]

If you have an Encore, the Katahdin 50cal barrel is nice, but can be hard to find.

Aside from the early Remington ML700 I had, that is the only muzzleloader I've owned.

If I were buying again today, I'd look for a 50cal (use sabots for 44 or 45 cal bullets), in-line, 209 primers, quick remove breech, and easy access to load primers (some are more fiddly than others).

BH209 powder is the only one I'll use now. I can go 20+ shots at the range without cleaning. I could only go 2-3 with Pyrodex as a comparison. Clean up with BH209 is with the same stuff you'd clean your centerfire guns with.

BTW, any specific regs you need to adhere to? Such as flintlock-only (Pennsylvania)?

Chris

The only regulation that I can find in Michigan is that it has to be used with either black-powder or a commercially manufactured black-powder substitute. I guess anything else is fair game.

[Crazy Dane]

I have had good luck CVA Wolf for new shooters. Fairly inexpensive, easy to load and easy to clean. Links below

Loaded with 2 Hodgdon Triple 7 pellets and a Power belt bullet makes the Wolf good to about 150 yards. I have never seen one not shoot this loading.

That said my, go to is a Traditions Vortek(pre striker fired) that I can comfortable shoot to 225 yards or so.

Make sure you read your state regulations. It differs from state to state and what constitutes a muzzleloader.


Wolf Stainless Steel with Realtree Edge Stock – CVA (https://cva.com/product/wolf-stainless-steel-with-realtree-edge-green-hd-stocks-and-scope-mount/)

Triple Seven® 50/50 Pellets | Hodgdon (https://shop.hodgdon.com/hodgdon/triple-seven-5050-pellets)

POWERBELT .50 295 gr. COPPER (bpishopping.com) (https://powerbelt.bpishopping.com/powerbelt-50-295-gr-copper.html)

Vortek StrikerFire® Series | TraditionsFirearms.com (https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/category/Vortek-StrikerFire-series)

[PNWTO]

The Knight Ultralite (sp?) has some stellar reviews and seems to be incredibly accurate for a smokepole. There’s a thread on Rokslide demonstrating some 5” and less 200yd groups. I believe there are even aftermarket brakes for it now.

[Caballoflaco]

I’m just going to drop this link here in the spirit of enablement, not because I have any actual experience with it. Who cares if it’s almost a grand it’s got a can.

https://www.swfa.com/silencerco-maxim-50-50-caliber-140646.html
.

[awp_101]

I have had good luck CVA Wolf for new shooters. Fairly inexpensive, easy to load and easy to clean. Links below

Loaded with 2 Hodgdon Triple 7 pellets and a Power belt bullet makes the Wolf good to about 150 yards. I have never seen one not shoot this loading.


Wolf Stainless Steel with Realtree Edge Stock – CVA (https://cva.com/product/wolf-stainless-steel-with-realtree-edge-green-hd-stocks-and-scope-mount/)

Hmmm, those look damn tempting to someone looking get into a muzzleloading rifle because he sort of misses his BP revolvers...

[dtw]

I hadn't hunted with a muzzleloader in about 15 years, but had an opportunity for a private land elk hunt Colorado this past fall during the rut. A muzzleloader was allowed.

After research, I decided on the CVA Optima, with a Nitride finish. Ordered without the scope, and was very affordable. Trigger was outstanding! Buds had the best price.

Removable breach plug makes it very easy to clean, but I had to order a new plug because I elected to use Blackhorn powder.



Colorado didn't allow scopes, so I installed a peeprib sight, and got good groups at 100 yards with 370 grain bullets.

Haven't killed anything with this rifle yet, I passed on a cow elk the first evening of the hunt and wasn't able to call a bull into range later in the week.

I will scope it for local hunts, then work up a load with sabots.