I have one final thought on the original question; will there be more bolt action ML's in the future.

I do believe that there are some advantages to a bolt action ML. Perhaps this quote from Tony Knight would best sum up my person opinion.

"It is common knowledge that break-action rifles are vastly inferior to bolt-actions in terms of trigger quality, accuracy and so forth. It is that way in center fires, rimfires and that is just as valid in muzzle loading rifles. No one with any basic understanding of firearms design would opt for a break-action platform. Ever see a break-action at Camp Perry? There’s a reason for that."

When survey the ML rifle industry I see only one company today that has the resources and the desire to advance the ML rifle technologically. That company is Thompson Center. Clearly they have done a great deal in the past (Encore and Omega are two shining examples). They have a great deal invested in the success of the break open design. I personally don' see them introducing a new bolt action model. Given the overwhelming dominance of break open ML's in the market today, I doubt that they would break any new ground here. All that said, they do have a strong interest in the bolt action center fire rifle market with the new Icon line. This is one of the most interesting new bolt rifles in many years. With Knight back in business in with a vested interest in bolt ML's, it is not too crazy to wish that we could see and Icon ML in the future!

Lets shift the focus to Knight for a minute. The old Knight company set the gold standard in pushing technology in the ML market. They also did more than anyone else to improve and enhance the ML hunting scene in all our states. They even lobbied on behalf of the sport. However with the sale of the company to new owners, the organization lost its way. From reading interviews with Tony, it is clear he did not agree with the introduction of the newer, non-bolt type ML's that were brought out under the brand. Ultimately they went out of business. As is usually the case, I suspect simple bad management is the real culprit. The good news is that they are back under new owners. It is clear that these new owners are hunters and shooters first. Their love of the sport, and the good impressions they had with Knight rifles, proved to be the motivating factor for their purchase and reopening of Knight. I truly hope that they will pick up where Mr. Knight left off and become the exemplary company who supports and helps grow the industry. They have already introduced the Mountaineer which appears to be one of the highest quality ML's available on the market. It is also nice to the new commitment to building rifles in the US.

If they are successful, we will see new bolt action rifles in the market. The foreign producers have always copied the market leaders in the past and they will do so in the future. By the way, it is not a bad business model to follow the trends. You can see this clearly in the auto industry.

In conclusion do I hope to see more bolt action muzzle loaders in the future? Absolutely! Will it be so? I don't know for sure, but it will be interesting to watch.

God bless all you guys and gals. Keep shooting; it is our right.