[mustangLX92]

I am just getting started into hunting. What I need is some advice on a good muzzleloader for the upcoming deer season. It can’t de to expensive because I just spent most of my money on a new shotgun. I also don’t want to end up with a piece of junk.

Thanks for the help.

[smokemaker]

Try Knight's Wolverine or American knight, or T/C's Black Diamond. Both are great starter rifles, and aren't peices of junk. I'd also recommend starting with .50 caliber. More choices and the .50's aren't usually as finicky about loads as the .45's.

I'd definitely stay away from the entry level Traditions or CVA rifles. Both companies have iffy QC, and both companies claim 150 grains powder capacity while using barrels that haven't been proofed for 150 grain pressures.

I only covered modern muzzleloaders. If you want a good entry level sidehammer, someone else is going to have to help you out. That and there are going to be people out there saying 150 grains of powder is the only way to go, and people saying you can get by with 60-70 grains. The truth lies somewhere in there, but every gun is different, and you have to shoot a bit with most muzzleloaders to find that gun's happy place. Don't be afraid to play around with charges and bullet weights. You might be surprised how accurate some of these frontstuffers are.

[mcneill]

My Father-in-Law had a CVA caplock. It was OK, but nowhere near the quality of my TC Hawkens (one each in flintlock and caplock). The TC guns tend to be a bit pricey, but IMHO they are worth it for the long haul. Agree with smokemaker regarding starting with a .50 caliber. As far as loads are concerned, follow the instructions in the owner's manual. My TCs are most accurate with a load of 80 grains FFg (just like the manual says).

smokemaker - like your sig line (the one about the compound bow...).

Jim

[Shanghai McCoy]

TC traditional rifles work well and are made in the USA with a very good warrenty.I have seen good used ones going for 200-250 at gunshops and rondys..


Smokemaker,I'm a Traditional Muzzleloader but I made my bow out of hickory the "old fashioned" way.Wheels are for bikes not bows...

[smokemaker]

Respect to you, Mr. McCoy.

Really...

But do you get where I'm coming from?

[mustangLX92]

I know you guys don't really recommend CVA, but what about this
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/horizontal-item.jhtml?id=0027579215454a&navAction=push&navCount=2&indexId=cat20815&podId=0027579&catalogCode=XE&parentId=cat20815&parentType=index&rid=&cmCat=MainCatcat20712&hasJS=true
The price is right.

Thanks

[Iggy]

54 Cal Poor man's custom rifle.. Load it down to kill paper, load it up to kill elk or moose..

Bridger and Carson would agree:)

[smokemaker]

I love my GPR in .54. It's what a replica "Hawken" should be.

Mustang, I made my statement about CVA, but here's some more fodder. I've shot three different CVA's. An old Apollo, which wasn't terrible as long as you held your sights at the bottom of the paper... at 25 yards, a Hunterbolt that was less reliable than a wet flintlock, and a Firebolt that was actually very accurate, but fouled terribly even after just 2 shots, inside and out. I've never seen an inline that had so much blowby.

Most things in life, guns especially, you get what you pay for.

[Daniel964]

http://www.rossiusa.com/products/gunselector-results.cfm?series=MM

I got one for my wife. Open sites are ok but I put Leopold Vari X II 1X4 on it. I like it so much I may buy one for me and you can get other barrells for in in .243, .270, 12G, 20G etc.

[redneck]

Lyman Great Plains rifle if your wanting a traditional. I built one of their kits, a .54 caplock. Its the most accurate gun I own, and with practice has become very reliable. Its my first and only blackpowder gun so I head to learn the ropes.
The balance is great for offhand shooting, least I think so. It just fits me perfect, and that double set trigger is like the proverbial "glass rod". Actually breaks nice without setting the trigger, but with it set its unbeleivable.
Takes down easily, and built solid as heck.

The kits come with a slow twist barrel which is only recommended for patch and ball, not conicals. The production models come either way, fast twist or slow. Lots of folks think you need conicals or sabots. I've never shot a deer with mine but at this point I don't see any deer going anywhere after a well placed shot from it. Its got some punch.

[stevelyn]

I also have a Lyman GPR in .54 caliber. Had a bit of difficulty getting it to shoot due to my own ignorance. I was stuffing it with 110 gr of Triple 7. That worked out to about 125grs of BP. Shoots great now. Fires reliably and is accurate as I can hold it. They come with barrels rifled for round balls and conicals. Decide which you want and go with it. I got mine from Midsouth Shooters Supply. They have the best prices I've seen so far.

[mustangLX92]

Well, I ended up buying a New England Firearms Huntsman 50cal. I paid $199.99 for it. For what I paid for it I am very impressed with the quality.
Of course I have not fired it yet, but I hear good things about them.

Thanks for all the help.

[smokemaker]

Good luck with it, and let us know how it does on the range. What twist is their barrel? Just curious.