I went to my first Cabelas today in Dundee MI and got to check out a lot of muzzleloaders.

i handled the tc impact first and it shouldered really good with open sights, out does any other tc ive handled. Bad news is, extremely cheap. The traditions buckstalker ($160) seemed to be built better and stronger. But the impact's LOG and drop in the stalk was great for open sights. Could not operate the trigger/mech due to trigger locks.

TC Northwest... Complete junk. I am serious about this one too. The stock, well a $25 Daisy BB gun had a better stock than the northwest. The rifle's stock was like bubble gum and flimsy the entire way up to the trigger. That is not an acceptable stock. With open sights though, it fit me well. TC must be reading all the complaints about their older stocks not being suited for open sight shooters.

I also looked at the traditions vortex and that was one nice rifle. the soft touch and rubber grip panels felt great and LOP was perfect for me and the open sights were easy to get on as well. Biggest flaw was the QLA section of the barrel. Extremely choppy machining and the nickel finish was the typical traditions style, slopped on. The stock overall was perfect and felt great in your hands.

Best rifle cabelas had was the Pedersoli Rocky mountain! Talk about a beautiful rifle, fit and finish were excellent, balance was perfect, LOP perfect. It should be for $1200. Its no light weight, its the heaviest rifle ive shouldered before but it was a nice rock solid feel.