ORIGINAL: NVMIKE
I'm new to muzzleloading (hunted a couple seasons w/ one 20yrs ago). My son just got old enough to apply for a junior tag in nevada. Here the juniors can hunt archery season, then switch to muzzle loader, then switch to rifle. I also have three daughters coming up(4,5,6yrs out, plus, one nephew1yr out, and his sister also 6yrs out). So this gun will get USED,ABUSED, and otherwise get the crap shot out of it. The smokeless sure sounds nice when going to the range w/ 6 kids(less clean up
). I'm thinking 45cal, accutrigger. I'll also be useing it for elk if I'm lucky enough to draw the tag. My question is this, will this set up do me right? I usually dont skimp on quality, but cant afford to waste my money either.
I have no doubt that a Savage Muzzleloader is a fine quality rifle and very accurate, although I have never shot or even held one for that matter. I have read too many posts on other forums of people that used them hunting and some of the shots they have made are remarkable to say the least. That is not to say that other black powder rifles are not able to do the same kind of thing.
One point I want to address is, it sounds like you do not want to get into
BLACK POWDER RIFLES. I mean by this you want a muzzleloader but the idea of the mess and fuss of black powder is not appealing to you. It sounds like what you want is a muzzleloader that acts like a single shot centerfire rifle. Well then the Savage is for you. You can load and shoot it as a muzzleloader and when using smokeless powder you do not have to worry about the cleaning aspect like many of us.
If you really want to get into Black Powder rifles and have some fun, then a
Traditional Style Rifle would be the way I would go. I would personally get a .54 caliber Thompson Center Hawkins rifle. I say this because you wanted to hunt elk possibly. Many States do not allow a .45 caliber rifle for elk or other big game for that fact. The .54 caliber can be loaded down so even young children can shoot it. They are a very user friendly gun once you learn them.
The other reason I suggest a Thompson Center Hawkins is you mention all these young people coming up in the sport that will be using the rifle. Well if you can find a better warranty then a Thompson Center rifle, let me know. If it breaks, they fix it. Also a tradtional rifle is a lot of fun. You have to learn to use them. Not like some of the inline rifles out there that you dump two or three pellets down them, seat the projectile, 209 primer it and then fire. Traditional rifles are something totally different. Not that hard to learn and a lot of fun when all the smoke floats out and around them when you fire.
I own a lot of rifles. Inlines, sidelocks and flintlocks and love to shoot them all. But my real passion it seems are the sidelocks and flintlocks. The inlines are great do not get me wrong. But I know that with the right powder charge and projectile in my inline, I can shoot out there at long distances and hit every time normally. With the traditional your range might be limited but the fun is not.
Its a real experince to hunt with a traditional rifle. I am sure what ever one you get you will enjoy. Good luck with your purchase.