Knight T Bolt - Upgrade or Replace

[mh1]

I have a Knight T Bolt from the late 1990s (probably 97) that I haven't used since around 2000. I will have a cow elk hunt in Colorado later this year and I'm trying to determine if I should upgrade the T bolt to a 209 primer conversation kit or if I should replace it with either a Knight Ultra-Lite, TC Encore Prohunter XT or a CVA Accura MR-X? I grew up muzzleloader hunting with a traditional muzzleloader but haven't done it since the late 90s. Thoughts?

 

[ElDiablito]

I think I’d leave it as-is (I don’t think the 209 upgrade would do much for you) or better yet buy a more modern rifle. The bullet you choose is way more important than the rifle model (assuming it’s 100% reliable).

Honestly for a cow elk hunt I wouldn’t sweat it. If you had a once in a lifetime tag, I’d upgrade for sure.

I’d look at TC, Knight UL or Woodman Arms. I have one or more of each and you can’t do much better.

 

[mh1]

Great thanks for the feedback. Its been so long since I'm muzzleloader hunted that I'm out of touch anymore.


So just use the T bolt like it currently is. Any special powder or bullet I should use? I have read Colorado regs so I know what I need to do to met that. I was also reading about Blackhorn and Triple 7 powder and about Thor bullets. Any thoughts there?

 

[ElDiablito]

I’m not clear on the bolt/action design on the T-Bolt. “Slam fire/plunger” type I believe. If so you can’t really use Bh209. It requires a 209 and a “sealed” ignition system.

I’d use 2F 777.

CO requires loose powder and full-bore conicals as you know. Bullet is the most important decision. I believe the T-bolt is the standard 1:28” twist, in the .50. So, you should be able to shoot lead conicals up to 420 gr or so (like the No Excuses bullets). The 300 ish gr Thors are a great elk bullet choice as are the 350 gr BOR Locks.

For elk, I recommend heavy for caliber lead or monos.