New muzzleloader

[HoosierHunter128]

I’ve got a CVA impact that did what I wanted it to when I bought it 10 years ago. I’ve ruined the bore cleaning it. My fault. I want a new muzzleloader, and something that is accurate long range. Late season hunting requires that. What do you guys think is the best right now. What would you buy? It seems that all are affordable, less than $1000. Lots of options, maybe…haven’t really looked to see if any are actually available for sale. What is the most accurate muzzleloader available today… not what you have, but what would you buy?

 

[Lnf Crzr]

Difficult to out perform a Tc Encore with switch barrel ability. The 28” .50 x 209 in Stainless and finger thread breech plug is convenient to say the least. When I don’t shoot it and hunt, I can simply open,twist, push out Powder/Bullet and clean just the chamber with a small brush. It’s a very nice muzzloader if that’s what your into. Oh and seems a good Substitute Bp works well in it.
On the other side of the coin, A flintlock has got the goods and beauty to hang on the wall with a Buck next to it. Yet Real Black powder should be used. Pedersoli makes some real nice ones.

Yet my choice is a Double barrel. Class and power

 

[Armored farmer]

I'm a Thompson/ Center fan.
#1 son has a T/C break action inline. (Encore. I think) great rifle, very accurate.

I ve never been an inline shooter, but I know for a fact that it's a tackdriver.

 

[HoosierHunter128]

That encore seems to be a single shot rifle that you can add lots of other single shot rifle calibers to. I’m loaded up with rifles. I don’t really want that. I’m looking for a muzzleloader that is just a muzzleloader. It seams that they have really improved a lot in the past few years on their accuracy, and I’m looking for a stand alone muzzleloader that can shoot past 200 yards. I don’t probably need that, but I want it.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I've recently had some experience with the Optima VR2 LR and the Accura. The Optima is on my list to buy next.

 

[PapaG]

I just sighted in a pair of CVA inlines. A Wolf and an Optima. The Optima was about $350 with scope and the Wolf $135 at a going out of business sale, no scope.
Wolf, using TV Cheap Shot sabots, vegetable wad and 75 grains of Black horn 209 is doing 2 MOA for three shots, no wiping. Optima, Federal Bore Rider 270 grain and 90 grains of BH209 is consistent at 1.5 MOA. After fifty three years shooting traditional muzzle loaders I wonder just how far they will go. I'd love to try the Paramount .45. I've watched the slug guns at the Nationals but that is so specialized it bears no relation to hunting. I shot round ball offhand, bench, and cross sticks and ragged fifty yard groups were in reach but the ease of shooting the inlines makes me a little ashamed to call them traditional. Won't cast stones. My debilities even keep me from using my recurve these days.
Five or six bills should set you up with a 150 yard deer killer.

 

[Hugger-4641]

I had similar results, about 2moa consistently from the Optima and my Wolf at 100yds.
The pic below was the sight in, I actually got that Optima just under 2moa with 250gr power belts but forgot to take pic of that.

 

[PapaG]

How did you ruin the barrel by cleaning it?

 

[Lnf Crzr]

CVA makes nice stuff. My Electra is Very accurate with the bergera barrel

 

[earlthegoat2]

Old technology but the Knight DISC Elite has always gotten praise as one of the most accurate MLs even to this day and it fits well within your price range. You’ll need that savings later on when you do load development….which is the most important part of muzzleloading accuracy and long range shooting.

IMO and experience, 209 primers and Blackhorn 209 powder will give great accuracy and performance and just by using these items, accuracy of any rifle improves to the point of diminishing returns quickly as price goes up. That is just for accuracy.

For long range you need to introduce high BC muzzleloading bullets like the CVA ELRs or Scorpion sabots.