Muzzleloader recommendation

[satchamo]

Thinking of trying to pickup a muzzleloader for whitetails this fall in IL.

I have very little experience with muzzleloader. I don’t have a super tight budget but I’d like to maybe stay all in for $500? That includes optics.

Any recommendations?

 

[Lee_R]

Knight disc extreme in 50 caliber and a good 6x scope will get the job done and allow you to take bigger game if you ever want to.

 

[JGTWI]

I’d suggest that you look at the CVA optima V2. I bought one last year with open sights and it’s a nice gun for the price. I like the way the action opens, and the breech plug removes easily for cleaning.
They sell a version that comes with a scope (seems decent) or you can get it with rings and put your own on it, which is probably the route I’d go if I wanted a scope.

 

[JTR11]

I’ve shot many whitetails with a CVA Wolf. I just have the factory fiber optic sights. Thinking about adding a scope this year. No complaints. Reliable. Easy to clean. Great value.

 

[Okie_3]

I would recommend the CVA optima V2 as well. I bought one last year and put a leupold scope on it and it shot great. I use the powerbelt aerotip bullets. I am confident out to 150 yards (don't really even want to shoot a ML past that). And its killed an elk and black bear in Colorado with open sights. Solid choice.

 

[Mattys010]

I have a cva wolf with vortex 2-7 scope. I love it. It’s easy to clean with breech plug. I have about $450 into it

 

[30338]

I hunt wide open spaces with an older Hawken. Kind of spendy but the Lyman plains rifle round ball twist would be right there for you. The old hammer guns still work.

 

[long hunter]

Perhaps a bit out of your quoted price range, but a custom built christian springs, Andreas Albricht .62 cal. flinter you will never look back. Do not get me wrong the in-lines have there place (in the gun vault) if your looking for the challenge get a traditional built rifle.

 

[Lowg08]

I’ve got a regular old cva wolf with Williams peep and globe. Super easy set up.

 

[long hunter]

30338. nice rifle and also deer, cal. of rifle.

 

[Yellowriver]

Don’t over look the older Rossi. Only downfall is they have a extendable ramrod. Dosent matter if it is stainless or blue if you buy a used gun pull plug and check the bore.

 

[hic7877]

Never had any issues with my t/c impact sb. Should be well within your budget.

 

[30338]

30338. nice rifle and also deer, cal. of rifle.

Thank you. The right handed one is a 54 and the lefty is a 58. I enjoy them both but the lefty is the favorite.

 

[long hunter]

I also am a left handed shooter, really like the .54 cals, but my go too gun is a .62 cal long rifle, flint lock. Leaving in three days on my first mule deer hunt but it will be with a modern rifle, Good hunting too you.

 

[MeatMissile]

I have a TC ProHunter FX .50 cal/209. I use BH209 powder, Federal 209 primers, and saboted bullets. It’s easy to clean, really accurate, and has been 100% reliable (not a single hangfire or misfire).

I do think the traditional rifles are cool, but I don’t get to be in the woods as much as I’d like and shot opportunities are few and far between. I had a CLICK....****! with a percussion rifle on what would have been my best bull elk. The romance of traditional went out the window.

 

[FLATHEAD]

I'll be hunting with one of my old TC Hawkens this year.

 

[Little Joe]

I am not going to recommend a specific rifle. Just a couple things to consider concerning caliber before making your purchase.

I hunted a lot of years with a muzzleloader. Most of my hunting buddies hunted with them as well. I would recommend a 54 over a 50 or 45 caliber. All work well being effective. The difference is the blood trail. I have seen deer double lunged on several occasions with a round ball. Then run off with not much of a blood trail. The lack of blood is often very discouraging, although a fatal hit was inflicted. All things equal, a 54 leaves a better blood trail than either a 45 or 50 caliber.

If you wish to hunt elk someday with your muzzleloader, I would recommend a 54. With muzzleloaders, the velocity of your round is limited. Weight of the bullet becomes much more important. A 54 will you give you a decided advantage, in my opinion, over lesser calibers. The shoulder on a mature bull is much tougher than a shoulder on a 150 pound whitetail. Heavier bullets hit harder and tend to penetrate better.

 

[goalie]

I’d suggest that you look at the CVA optima V2. I bought one last year with open sights and it’s a nice gun for the price. I like the way the action opens, and the breech plug removes easily for cleaning.
They sell a version that comes with a scope (seems decent) or you can get it with rings and put your own on it, which is probably the route I’d go if I wanted a scope.

This. I got a late season doe last year with mine.

 

[wilkINkc]

Got my first ML last year. CVA Optima V2. Very happy with it.

 

[goalie]

I'm noticing a trend with the CVA recommendation.