Which Muzzleloader to Buy?

[JEck]

Looking to upgrade muzzleloaders, currently have a Traditions Buckstalker, but can’t get it to group like I would like. Looking for something that can shoot consistent groups to 200 yards for antelope and deer. What rifle would be best, and what load development have you had the best luck with in that particular gun? Thanks.

 

[ElDiablito]

How much do you want to spend? Any restrictions on caliber, etc where you hunt?

TC Encore, TC Omega or Woodman Arms Patriot are all great options.

 

[Halligan]

I'll second @ElDiablito 's suggestions, especially with the rerelease of the Encore. For the spendy end of the spectrum (albeit based on information from others and not my own), Knight seems to be still chugging along making a good product these days. The bummer is that it seems their prices have shot up quite a bit in the last year or so.

 

[bcv]

I've got an Encore that shoulders perfectly for me and killed everything I've pulled the trigger on. No scope, 6 kills out to 110 yards using Barnes 290 grain T-EZ FB's and 120 grains by volume of Buckhron 209.

 

[Mtns2hunt]

TC encore for reliability and accuracy. I'm a bit different than most as I use a light bullet of 200 grains in front of 100g of BH. My average shot is set up for 200 yards. I have killed to 250 easy and punched paper to 350 yards.

Great rifle with much after market support i.e. Bellums Tc and Haus of arms to name a couple. MGM makes great barrels.

Can't wait for TC to get back up and

 

[mjspeers]

We need more information. If smokeless is an option and there’s an unlimited budget, that changes everything.

 

[rm90]

@JEck - Dont mean to hi-jack your post but i was thinking of posting and you have a similar question I wanted to posts.
I am looking to spend less than $2000-2500 all in Including Muzzleloader, Iron Sights and Bi-pod.
Looking to use BH209, 45 Cal

Do you guys think the TC Encore would fall within this criteria ?

Accessories looking to use are the Patented Arrowhead Gent 2 LRMP Breech Plug + an attached Ramrod, Do you think the TC Encore could accommodate these accessories
I would prefer a smokeless Muzzleloader, I looked at Arrowhead and Gun-werks but there to expensive for me at the moment. I would like to purchase something within a reasonable price.

States Hunting would be NV,AZ UTAH and my Home State CA.​

Do you guys have an alternative recommendation in lieu of BH209 ?

Peep Sights - I was looking at Revic Exo peep Sight would you recommend this peep or the Williams peep sights
P.S this would be my first Muzzleloader -
Looking to Hunt Post Archery/ Late ML Seasons
TIA

 

[ElDiablito]

@JEck - Dont mean to hi-jack your post but i was thinking of posting and you have a similar question I wanted to posts.
I am looking to spend less than $2000-2500 all in Including Muzzleloader, Iron Sights and Bi-pod.
Looking to use BH209, 45 Cal

Do you guys think the TC Encore would fall within this criteria ?

Accessories looking to use are the Patented Arrowhead Gent 2 LRMP Breech Plug + an attached Ramrod, Do you think the TC Encore could accommodate these accessories
I would prefer a smokeless Muzzleloader, I looked at Arrowhead and Gun-werks but there to expensive for me at the moment. I would like to purchase something within a reasonable price.

States Hunting would be NV,AZ UTAH and my Home State CA.​

Do you guys have an alternative recommendation in lieu of BH209 ?

Peep Sights - I was looking at Revic Exo peep Sight would you recommend this peep or the Williams peep sights
P.S this would be my first Muzzleloader -
Looking to Hunt Post Archery/ Late ML Seasons
TIA

A few thoughts.

Zero advantage to using an Arrowhead LRMP module plug instead of the OEM 209 plug in an Encore (they are a good option in some very high pressure smokeless applications but not for much of anything else.).

Revic peep?! You’re kidding. Not worth a fraction of what they want for it. I’d use a good Williams peep and globe front.

BH209 is the absolute best powder option short of smokeless.

I personally wouldn’t spend over a grand unless the rifle was smokeless capable.

CA, as you know, is nontoxic only so you’ll have to shoot monometal bullets (most likely in a sabot) there.

Retail on the new Encore is about $980. Would be a good choice.

Another great option is a Woodman smokeless barrel for a TC Omega. For less than a grand you can have a solid 500 yard rifle.

TC | Woodman Arms Inc.

www.woodmanarms.com

 

[JEck]

$1000ish is what I would like to spend. No restrictions as far as iron sights vs scope. Looking to stay in the blackpowder vs going smokeless.

How much do you want to spend? Any restrictions on caliber, etc where you hunt?

TC Encore, TC Omega or Woodman Arms Patriot are all great options.

 

[keystone112]

If you go Encore, I strongly recommend the Flextech stock. For me it completely changed the balance and feel of the rifle vs a wood stock.

Hopefully they will also be back in production. The prices for used ones are stupid.

 

[BChunt]

I have the Traditions Vortek and have had good luck with it. I can get 4 inch groups at 200 which I am happy with for a muzzleloader. Shooting BH209 powder and Powerboat ELR bullets