The best for the money
 

I am wanting to buy my first muzzleloader. What do you guys think is the best for the money. I would like to keep it under 300.00. My grandfather has an optima pro and I like it alot but wanted to get your opinions.

RE: The best for the money
 

Check the walmarts around you,I pick up an Omega for $160 it just don't get any better than that.

RE: The best for the money
 

Why don't you offer to cut your grandfathers lawn for the summer and see if he will give you his??? LOL...I wouldn't try to go too cheap...as a matter of fact the Optima Pro would be about as cheap as I'd go....It makes me nervous to realize that every time you load a muzzleloader you are basically making a bomb....holding it in your hands...next to your face and exploding it....

OK...Now that I have your attention...Wall Mart sells the Omegas for $269...
Being a younger lad...you could buy this, use it the first year without a scope and add a scope the second year...I bought a Knight Disc on sale in 1996...thats 10 years ago...and paid just $20 less than the Omega sells for today....Sure...its a black stock and black barrel...but if you keep it cleaned and oiled...it will last along time...My Knights barrel still looks like new (on the inside) and it will group with the best of them...

Also...there have been some great deals lately on the Internet on Knights...
some people like an Omega better (I could debate that), but...Knights are still a great rifle, shoot good...just takes a little longer to clean them...
Cayugard usually knows who has the best deals...he stole a Knight Disc awhile back.....Good Luck....

PS...I was just yanking your chain on cutting your grandads lawn....but who knows....It might work...might even talk him into letting you hunt his stand opening day....Thats what grandads are for...:)

RE: The best for the money
 

saltflat

Don't know that it is the best but it certainly is in your price range and the warranty is outstanding + it really is a good rifle by all the positive comments...

At this late date do not think you will find one of these in a wal-mart anymore. They should be gone by now as wal-mart for final clearance reduced them to $109.00

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000318898

Other thoughts will follow...

RE: The best for the money
 

It would appear that you want an inline rifle. With $300.00 as your budget, hold on to it and start watching the different on line sites. I suspect they are going to clear inventory real soon and you can pick up a Thompson Center Omega or a Knight Disc or something like that at a very reasonable price.

Some other rifles you keep in mind are the NEF Sidekick. Its not the prettiest rifle in the rack but is well built and a good shooter from all the people (except one as I remember) that buys them. You can pick one of them up for around $160.00 and with a low end scope you still have a 150 yard rifle.

I expect you will see the Wolverine 209's, Bighorns, and even some Omega's and Black Diamonds come on sale soon. Maybe even a Disc or two since Knight I understand has discontinued the model.

RE: The best for the money
 

I must add the MDM Quikshooter, you can get them for under $200 and now you have money for a scope to put on it.

RE: The best for the money
 

saltflat

I neglected to say you should also check the game rules in your state and see what they allow. Here in the Pacific Northwest we can not use 209 primers, or scopes, in Idaho I can use sabots, but in Washington and Oregon you can not - In Washington they must be an all lead projeectiles... Lots of different rules arounf the states - check yours.

RE: The best for the money
 

With fast production models, any nice sale involving Knight, White, Austin-Halleck, Savage, Knight or T/C inline rifles. In sidelocks, the best brands are Austin-Halleck, T/C, Pedersoliand Lyman.

There are still a few isolated ML rifles sales going on. But most hunting stores pack them away & bring them back out with all the new models from the Shot Show this weekend - then run sales beginningin August.

RE: The best for the money
 

Walmart also had CVA Buckhorn on sale for $70-odd dollars. That is about as inexpensive as it'll ever get. The bit of cash will get you a rifle that will kill deer dead at 100 yards as well as any other muzzleloader out there - plus, it'll upset the self-styled cognoscenti we'll tell you that CVA's are junk, and that they won't cut it. It is accurate, with a good trigger, good balance, and looks decent, too.

RE: The best for the money
 

I dont have a Z5 Omega, mine is the full fledged older brother. If the Z5 shoots anything like mine you will be more than happy with it, and as I understand it they do. As my name implies I love my Omega.

RE: The best for the money
 

What about a CVA kodiak. I have heard these are descent rifles.

RE: The best for the money
 

The CVA Kodiak is a knock off of sort from the Thompson Center Omega. The Omega was kind of the blue print you might say for many of the rifles that have later hit the market. That's becaue the Omega was so widely accepted and respected as a great muzzleloader.

Is the CVA Kodiak a good rifle you ask? I am sure there are thousands of satisfied Kodiak owners out there that will tell you of great accuracy, easy cleaning and all the other things. The only point I ask is, research the rifle a little. http://modernmuzzleloader.com is a site you might just vist. Do some reading about which rifles are considereddangerous and for what reasons. Remember of course a lot of the things we read are personal opinion. So take that into consideration as well.

In fact no matter what brand of rifle you are after, researching them is recommended. Even the Omega or the otherwell known rifles. It's the only way to determine if the rifle fits your needs and falls within your State guidelines as a legal hunting tool. What I find amusing is, a person purchases a rifle and then wants to know if it is any good. I guess at that stage it is kind of a mute question.

I am sure you would have a very accurate, effective hunting and target rifle with the purchase of a CVA Kodiak. IMO there are better rifles out there for the same or lessmoney. They might not be as stylish as the Kodiak or perhaps not having the same features, but are still excellent values. The choice of a rifle is a personal decision only you can make.

Good luck in your hunt and your selection. At least you are taking steps to gather information from others before the purchase. I commend you on your common sense.

RE: The best for the money
 

cayugad

I do not know if you are or not, but you really should have been a politician - you answers to questions are so non negative and you do not throw barbs.... on the second thought you probably couldn't be a politician - I don't think you could lie, cover up things and etc...

RE: The best for the money
 

Cayugard,

You'll have my vote! BTW - whats your stance on stem cell research? lol.

Tom

RE: The best for the money
 

I'd have to agree on the Omega. I've got a CVA
a Knight and an Omega. I like shooting them all,
but I really like the Omega!!! Like other posts,
look around they're are still some bargins out there.
Good luck.. good shooting.....and welcome!

RE: The best for the money
 

If walmart sells the omegas for 250.00 or less, why does cabelas and bass pro want 400.00 or more? I like the 250.00 price alot better. Where did you guys buy yours?

RE: The best for the money
 

saltflat

Did you see my first post $268.00 - No tax but shipping...

RE: The best for the money
 

Sorry sabot, yesterday was just one of those days.