first muzzle loader

[moose243]

so im deffinatly going to need a muzzle loader for next season,ive shot a few traditionals, one inline, and a lefthanded savage bolt (was amazing but way over my spending limit) so can anyone give me any thought... what caliber, what make/model ohh this is manly for deer or bear

[Brow Tine]

.50 cal - Cant go wrong with that

[Tenpoint]

I bought a 50 caliber Thompson Center in-line. Very reasonable price and does a number on the deer.

Tenpoint

[backwoodsman]

.50, maybe a.54 since bears are on the agenda. I prefer traditional sidelocks but theres alot of entry level modern ones that are good guns. Modern inlines you'll probably be stuck with a .50, traditional you can jump up into alot bigger calibers up to a .72 is common.

[MountainDevil54]

CVA Accura is a sweet rifle to own. i have one and its been the best rifle that ive owned.

[RICHARDCatdaddy]

I have a Thompson Center Hawken 50 cal,not inline.I love this little rifle and its not overpriced at all.

[Runner]

I own several (TC, Knight, etc). My newest and probably longest-range ml is the CVA Accura I got last August. Shooting 90 grains of granular Triple-7 and a 295 grain Powerbelt I'm getting 1-inch groups at 100. Haven't had any reason to shoot further as yet, but it's only shooting an inch high at 50, to be dead-on at 100. That alone is pretty impressive.

-Runner

[MountainDevil54]

ok i can add another one to the list and i just got it this evening CVA Optima ( the new one)

Has the quick release breech plug, sweet trigger on it, SS barrel. I only got out to 50 yards due to dimming light but i was threading them into the same hole @ 50.



http://gandersmuzzleloadingblog.blogspo ... ptima.html

[DouglasSpear]

I have a .50 cal inline Traditions Pursuit LT. Only spent about $230 and it does the job every time.

[Hunting Man]

For a first rifle I'd go with an in-line. Easy to load and less problems. I shoot TC flintlocks, CVA flintlocks, TC Firehawk, TC Triumph, and a 54 flint Hawken I built. I like Blackhorn powder for in-lines and black powder for flintlocks. A 50 cal will do everything you requested in your post. I'd also scope it.

[quigleysharps4570]

I'm with Hunting Man...start with a scoped in-line and later when the bug has bitten you, upgrade to a caplock or flintlock. Course once you get to hunting and shooting with a flintlock the others will draw dust.

[scotteam]

I have a .50 cal inline Traditions Pursuit LT. Only spent about $230 and it does the job every time.

This is the same one i just purchased. cabelas had a bunch in the bargain cave on closeout. 80.00 weapon by itself. I guess they came in starter kits. They split them up for some reason and needed to get rid of a bunch of the riffles. I will let you know what i think after i put a few rounds through it.