Whats a good caliber and gun for 13 year old?

[chasencrooks]

I've never done any muzzle loader hunting and my son would like to give it a shot this year. Do you have any suggestions on caliber and make. It will be for deer. We live in Nevada so it has to be open sights. Not looking to spend a fortune but want a good solid gun. Thanks for any and all help and suggestions.

 

[PathFinder]

Muzzle loaders are so simple, it's hard to go really wrong. 45 caliber guns will have a bit less recoil, but you could load a 50 caliber down in powder charge and reduce recoil significantly as well. Definitely get 209 ignition (I think that's all they really make now) and look for something that keeps the primer well protected from the elements.

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[chasencrooks]

Thanks for the info PathFinder

 

[xziang]

I would go with a 50 cal just because of availability. The kick might be more but you won't notice the difference in my opinion. CVA makes some decent entry level ML. That was my first ML and I still use it and still love it. I went with the CVA Optima Pro for I thought I would use 150gr of powder but never have.

I use the pellets and would suggest that you do too for simplicity. Tripple 7 powder or Pyrodex however I like triple 7 better. I now have a TC (Thompson Center) Triumph that is scoped while my CVA is not. TC's make a decent gun and the TC Omega is a common one and won't break the bank. I have a couple friends that own them.

Just remember with ML if you are target shooting you will need to remove the breach plug and clean it out after 3 shots in my opinion. Whatever gun you find/get keep in mind how easy will it be to clean it for they need to be cleaned! (hot water then bore butter in my opinion)

Good luck and have fun.

 

[MuleyFever]

Do yourself a favor and use Blackhorn 209 powder. You can shoot all day with no build up and cleaning is easy, just don't use water. As said a 50cal will be most available. Knight makes good guns as well. I loved my TC with sabots but sold it when I decided to go Colorado legal and use conicals. The TC's are notorious for poor accuracy with full bore rounds and mine was no different.

 

[elkguide]

50 caliber all the way. Most common so easier to find everything for it. I'm a TC fan and would highly recommend them. You can find a good used muzzleloader quite readily. Check your laws as to ignition types that are legal in your state.

 

[xziang]

Do yourself a favor and use Blackhorn 209 powder. You can shoot all day with no build up and cleaning is easy, just don't use water.

Question and I might shoot you an IM too but why NOT to use water? Is that just with the Blackhorn 209 powder? I use 777 and when I've attempted to clean it with the TC cleaning solution it made a bigger mess and was a PITA. I now just take the barrel off and use a funnel and dump hot water thru it and it works great. I then will follow it up with some paper towels to dry it off and then bore butter.

 

[MuleyFever]

Blackhorn should be cleaned without water. Water is fine for other powders.

 

[chasencrooks]

Thanks for all the info. I will be going shopping soon. Sounds like a 50 cal. is the way to go. Looked at a traditions g4 ultralight and my son seems to like it and holds it well. Any opinion on this gun?