What to look for in a muzzy?

[BuckRut]

Looking at buying my first muzzleloader and it looks like there’s a lot to sort through. What deal breakers should I be looking for and what features are out of my price range? Looking to stay below 1k.

 

[Antares]

Making sure it meets the legal requirements of the areas you want to hunt is a good place to start. That will probably narrow your choices, or at least inform your decision.

 

[Teodoro]

Hopefully you already know this, but start by figuring out where you're going to hunt and reviewing the legal requirements for that area. If you're in an area that requires open sights, you probably don't want a gun with a built-in rail. And you probably don't want a .36-caliber long rifle if you're in a zone that requires a .45-caliber projectile. Pennsylvania has a late season that's flintlock only.

The second thing to nail down is whether you're looking for a historic/traditional type of gun or a modern inline muzzleloader. This is a super super personal question. I'm just looking to take advantage of another season, so I have a modern inline.

The third decision point, in my opinion, is what kind of hunting will be doing with the gun. I use mine in Eastern creek bottoms where it's kind of unusual to have a shot over 100 yards. I think pretty much every inline sold could handle that. If you will be packing it on backpack hunts and are likely to get opportunities at longer shots, it starts to make sense to look at nicer equipment.

I know this is all pretty basic. But it's a pretty wide open question, and I think this is a pretty good starting point.

 

[Westhunt]

As already mentioned, start with what's legal in your area. After that, I really like break action models that have a tool free breech removal. I have a CVA accura LR-X and I don't need a wrench to remove the breech plug for cleaning. I had a knight muzzleloader that shot great, but cleaning was a little more time consuming.

Sent from my SM-G991U using Tapatalk

 

[BuckRut]

Thanks for the input guys. A little more info. This would be solely for get some more tags out west here and I’m definitely looking at inline. We have a traditional muzzleloader late season here in Montana but I’m not really interested in that since I am already hunting for 3 months straight here without it. Are there any companies making models in the 1k range that can handle the pressure of smokeless powder as well as using black powder? Or is that only a 5k price range type of thing?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

A basic muzzy for places that require open sights is cheap, don't know about the question for smokeless versions since I can't use them and never researched.

IMHO if you're working with open sights don't over think it. I've got two CVA's, one stainless optima and one nitrided accura. The accura feels better in hand but they both shoot well. I've got williams front globes with both fiber optic and cross hair inserts and on the back I have a pic rail ramp with a peep (this lets me add a scope on without messing with the open sights if I ever went hunting in a place that allowed a scope). I use blackhorn 209 so I got the appropriate breech plug. Those setups are well under a grand and I'm good out to around 150yd with them.

Unless you're in a place that allows scopes, smokeless, etc. you don't really need to overthink this because the distances are so short any decently accurate muzzy will do.

 

[mlevimadden]

I don't know anything about smokeless muzzleloaders either since I've never used one. I've been hunting with a CVA Accura V2 for 11 years and it's been great for me. I like the break action and tool-less breech plug. I'm also shooting Blackhorn 209 out of mine. I used to live in a scope legal state and was able to get some 1-1.5 MOA three shot groups out of it at 100 yds, which is plenty good enough for muzzleloader distances on big game.

If you're looking for a long-range setup though and in a scope and smokeless legal state, I'd plan to go that route. Most black-powder muzzleloaders start running out of steam quickly around 200 yds for making an accurate shot and killing big game.

 

[Durran87]

I’d buy this one if it checks out.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...s-peep-and-front-globe-new-never-shot.375909/

 

[nobody]

As stated, it’s important to understand the legal requirements where you’re going to hunt. Unfortunately, it won’t be as simple as “a muzzleloader for out west.”

Inlines (as far as I know) are legal almost everywhere, but every single state has different restrictions on ignition systems, powder requirements, projectile restrictions, caliber variance, etc. what’s legal in one state is likely not legal in another. It’s not as cut and dry as rifle hunting, where owning anything 6mm and larger likely means you’re good anywhere in the west.

CVA makes great, affordable muzzleloaders. If you’re just looking for a brand recommendation, that’s what I would buy. Google searches will show they had some pretty major issues in the late 90’s/early 2000’s, but not so much anymore. But beyond recommending a brand and model (hard to beat the value a stainless CVA Optima provides), you’ll need to research what other restrictions on sights, projectiles, calibers, powders, and ignition systems you’ll be dealing with, because it’ll be different EVERYWHERE you hunt.

 

[ElDiablito]

Are there any companies making models in the 1k range that can handle the pressure of smokeless powder as well as using black powder? Or is that only a 5k price range type of thing?

Yes. If you want a well made muzzy, check out Woodman Arms.

muzzleloaders

high performance, smokeless capable inline muzzleloaders.

www.woodmanarms.com

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I’d buy this one if it checks out.

https://rokslide.com/forums/threads...s-peep-and-front-globe-new-never-shot.375909/

Agreed. Get the BH209 breech plug (if you want to use it) and the northwest conversion kid (plug and firing pin parts) and you would be covered in all states I believe. You don't need to chase down those bits and pieces if you don't plan to use them though.

The rear peep pic rail and front globe setup is really accurate for open sights and allows you to put a scope on/off without messing with the sights.

 

[BuckRut]

Thanks for all the info guys. How many western states would having a 45 cal keep me out of and is it worth the better ballistics?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

Thanks for all the info guys. How many western states would having a 45 cal keep me out of and is it worth the better ballistics?

I don't know the list but it'd keep you out of CO for elk and moose. Being that CO requires open sights I don't find I am really ballistically limited. I feel comfortable out to 150ish with open sights and 50cal performs fine in that window.

Mind you if stats allow sabots and scopes you can have a 50cal and launch other projectives further/faster from said 50cal.

If you know you're hunting a state that allows 45cal and smokeless and scopes then your purchasing would be notable different. If you're keeping your options open for CO elk for example the rifle in the classifieds would work just fine.

 

[blackpowder72]

You can buy a converted CVA SCOUT from Jeff Hankins that you can shoot smokeless powder or big loads of Blackhorn.