New to Muzzleloader

[AlwaysChasinTailNHorns]

Drew a Muzzleloader tag for whitetail in my state and I’m brand new to it I don’t even own a ML and no one I hunt with owns one either so I’m coming here for opinions. I’m an avid bow hunter, rifle hunter, and slug guy but I wanted to know what suggestions you guys have for a solid Muzzleloader that won’t break the bank (not wanting to spend more than 800) and what optics you like to pair with your ML? Thanks.

 

[IW17]

Cva optima v2. Solid smoke pole, bergara barrel, and under $400. You can get the whole package put together for under $600 easy, and that's with a decent quality scope. Keep in mind that the most expensive part of muzzleloader hunting is all the crap you gotta(should) buy with it. Sabots, powder, primers, cleaning solvent, quick reloaders, primer holder, etc. Nothing crazy expensive but something to keep in mind.

 

[NRA4LIFE]

Go with a 209 primer system if legal. CVA Optima would be a solid choice.

 

[iamthenick]

Optima, look for the LR it can shoot larger powder loads so you can shoot further.

 

[49ereric]

Plenty of good used smoke poles so Google info. You’ll save $$$

 

[wyogoat]

Since it’s your first one, you’ll want to go flintlock for sure. If God wanted you to shoot a percussion gun he would have left percussion caps on the ground instead of flints…
Just trying to start you off the right way.

 

[RockAndSage]

Be sure to check your local regs - more and more states are putting restrictions on muzzleloaders to get it back to more limited capability. The spirit of the ML seasons is to have something between bows and modern rifles in range/capability, etc. Some places are requiring exposed hammers, certain ignition systems, etc. Also, don't let any of it intimidate you - people tend to way, way overthink muzzleloaders in terms of what to be worried about, rather than just thinking about them as manually loaded single shots without casings.

I'm more of a traditional ML shooter and don't have too much experience with modern designs... @ElDiablito , you got any good recommends for a guy new to muzzleloader hunting?

 

[ElDiablito]

For someone brand new to muzzy hunting and (I’m assuming) hunting close range southern whitetails, I’d start with something simple and cheap. If you like it you can upgrade.

I’d go with 209 ignition and saboted bullets with Triple Seven loose powder (or Blackhorn 209 powder.)

My personal favorite muzzleloader of all time is the TC Omega. You can find a used one for about $250-$400. This rifle has a cult-like following. You could use one for the rest of your life and be well-equipped for anything. TC is now back in business and may even be restating production of the Omega (). Short of that, I’d look at something like a CVA Wolf, although I’m not really a fan of anything CVA makes. I’d buy something entry-level from them if I were new to it all.

I’m a muzzy fanatic and do all my hunting with one. It’s an addiction. Good luck and let us know what you do!

 

[cnelk]

3…2….1…. Moved to the Muzzleloader forum

 

[insanelupus]

I'm a fan of traditional muzzleloaders and patched roundball in slow twist barrels. Yes, I'll admit the hypocrisy of using a compound bow during archery but preferring the muzzleloader season stay traditional.

A good traditional muzzleloader can be very accurate with patched roundballs and real black powder. The caveat to that is that the shooter must be capable and willing to use a quality muzzleloader and do the homework to match the ball, patch, and powder charge to the muzzleloader.

It can be fun and it does have limitations. One of my happiest hunting memories in recent years was killing a mountain buck at 75 yard's with a .58 caliber Hawken, hand built by my uncle just a few weeks before he died. He'd given it to me and it had not been used for over 30 years. But it shot well and was the source of many hours of phone conversation after he received the photo. I've killed a lot of deer, but few have generated that much excitement as this one did. To top it all off, the meat was donated to a local family who needed it for the winter and their daughter now hunts to collect meat for the family!

The pleasure of hearing the joy in that old man's voice for days and how proud he was of the rifle and me still makes me smile. He died of natural causes a few weeks later, I miss him s lot abdicate that rifle reminds me of him every time I see it.

 

[Glendon Mullins]

DID YOU KNOW ROKSLIDE HAS A MUZZLELOADER FORUM, you might look there for info lol

 

[RockAndSage]

I'm a fan of traditional muzzleloaders and patched roundball in slow twist barrels. Yes, I'll admit the hypocrisy of using a compound bow during archery but preferring the muzzleloader season stay traditional.

A good traditional muzzleloader can be very accurate with patched roundballs and real black powder. The caveat to that is that the shooter must be capable and willing to use a quality muzzleloader and do the homework to match the ball, patch, and powder charge to the muzzleloader.

It can be fun and it does have limitations. One of my happiest hunting memories in recent years was killing a mountain buck at 75 yard's with a .58 caliber Hawken, hand built by my uncle just a few weeks before he died. He'd given it to me and it had not been used for over 30 years. But it shot well and was the source of many hours of phone conversation after he received the photo. I've killed a lot of deer, but few have generated that much excitement as this one did. To top it all off, the meat was donated to a local family who needed it for the winter and their daughter now hunts to collect meat for the family!

The pleasure of hearing the joy in that old man's voice for days and how proud he was of the rifle and me still makes me smile. He died of natural causes a few weeks later, I miss him s lot abdicate that rifle reminds me of him every time I see it.

View attachment 800565

Man, what a cool story, and great rifle. That thing's beautiful.

 

[AlwaysChasinTailNHorns]

For someone brand new to muzzy hunting and (I’m assuming) hunting close range southern whitetails, I’d start with something simple and cheap. If you like it you can upgrade.

I’d go with 209 ignition and saboted bullets with Triple Seven loose powder (or Blackhorn 209 powder.)

My personal favorite muzzleloader of all time is the TC Omega. You can find a used one for about $250-$400. This rifle has a cult-like following. You could use one for the rest of your life and be well-equipped for anything. TC is now back in business and may even be restating production of the Omega (). Short of that, I’d look at something like a CVA Wolf, although I’m not really a fan of anything CVA makes. I’d buy something entry-level from them if I were new to it all.

I’m a muzzy fanatic and do all my hunting with one. It’s an addiction. Good luck and let us know what you do!

I appreciate that I’ll look into it! Thanks for all the feedback guys you’ve been awesome! Also sorry I didn’t put it on the muzzy forum I didn’t even think about it since I had never been on there lol won’t make that mistake again. I’ll take all the info you guys gave me and do my research I’m looking forward to it.

 

[insanelupus]

@RockAndSage

Thank you. He was a very talented man.

 

[SchwarzStock]

I once had a neighbor that hunted exclusively for meat. He had an inline with a scope and I guess for him it met his purposes, he was just a hunter and could care less about any tradition. The ML season was just another opportunity to fill the freezer, the inline was the "gaming" of the system. I believe in traditional ML's for hunting in the so-called primitive hunts, same goes for archery hunts. What is "primitive" about a compound bow with sights, mechanical triggers and the kitchen sink....

Flint all the way, as was said before; God did not litter the ground with percussion caps!

 

[AlwaysChasinTailNHorns]

For someone brand new to muzzy hunting and (I’m assuming) hunting close range southern whitetails, I’d start with something simple and cheap. If you like it you can upgrade.

I’d go with 209 ignition and saboted bullets with Triple Seven loose powder (or Blackhorn 209 powder.)

My personal favorite muzzleloader of all time is the TC Omega. You can find a used one for about $250-$400. This rifle has a cult-like following. You could use one for the rest of your life and be well-equipped for anything. TC is now back in business and may even be restating production of the Omega (). Short of that, I’d look at something like a CVA Wolf, although I’m not really a fan of anything CVA makes. I’d buy something entry-level from them if I were new to it all.

I’m a muzzy fanatic and do all my hunting with one. It’s an addiction. Good luck and let us know what you do!

Ended up hunting with a buddies ML for the tag I drew. Almost pulled the trigger on a CVA a month ago but with TC dropping in a couple weeks I’m going to hold out and pick one of theirs up. Love the look and have done a lot of research on them and they just seem to be a higher quality build and more reliable weapon. Thanks for all the feedback guys.