Jim,

I believe you'll find that the extra 2" of barrel might not make your gun more accurate as a whole, just a maybe little more accurate at longer distances - plus it should add about another 100 to 150fps to a given load. It might help recoil a little as well, but I think that depends more on weight than it does length - a shorter-barreled, yet heavier gun may well do better on recoil than a lighter, longer-barreled model.

You mentioned smokeless powder in #5 - the model made by Savage is the ONLY muzzleloader equipped to handle smokeless. While the use of smokeless sounds like the "Holy Grail" for muzzleloaders, most people I've seen post about it get frustrated with smokeless load work-up and end up shooting Pyro or 777 out of the guns.

That Firebolt will probably be a good choice and I would also suggest a Knight Wolverine - it will come in under the $300 mark and leave room for a nice scope. I shoot a Knight USAK, which is their baseline model (about $180) and almost identical to the Wolverine except for the trigger assembly & ignition system. I have been well pleased with it for the past couple of years as it will (with the right load) cut holes all day long at 100yds - and with a 22" barrel at that. I wouldn't hesitate to shoot out to 150yds with it.

Oh, one more thing, if you hunt in Indiana - do NOT get a .45cal model. State law says that the smallest bullet you can shoot is either a .44 or .45 cal (not including the sabot) - that means that your bullet choice for deer is limited to either PowerBelt bullets or lead conical bullets. As picky as m'loaders can be with bullets & loads, the odds are against you finding your most accurate load under those constraints.


"Every moving thing that liveth, I give unto you as meat" (Gen 9:3)

Trust God..........but keep your powder dry!