Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

I've been thinking about buying one for this year whitetail deer hunt. I've thinking ofa 50 cal. muzzleloader but don't know what brand/ model to get. I've used rifles and shotgun but I need something a little more challenging, like muzzleloading guns. I think it's a little more challenging because you have to load yourrounds into the gun and you have to alway make that one shot count.So how bout it guys let me know what you've used, whichbrand/ model/ cal.you would prefer a beginner to start and what is the best you've used and why? I'm only going to spend around $250.00 or less.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

Do you want a traditional rifle or inline? Alsoare scopes allowed. There are some excellent deals on Knight Rifles right now which is a great rifle.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

I have a new .50 cal.Knight Disc Elite blued and extrasfor sale in the Guns classified section. I think it is on page three. $235.00 shipped depending on location. Check out the add and let me know by email. I got it for christmas and dont need it. I have a link to an article there that gives you an idea of how accurate the elite can be and how well made it is. Here is the link tomy addhttp://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=1405110

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

I want an in-line muzzleloader. We can't use scope during the muzzleloader season.

Americanpioneer, Thanks for the offer but looking for one that has open sight. As stated above we can't use scope during the muzzleloader season. I've heard about the knight rifle and might check them out.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

You might want to look at a NEF Sidekick in .50 caliber. It is made by New England Firearms which is also H&R or Marlin rifle company. They are a break open action that makes them easy to clean. They are known for their out of the box accuracy. Their one downfall is the expandable ramrod from what I have read. Get a range rod and leave the expandable for hunting only.

You can find them at Cabela's for around $169.00 that would leave you some money for the extras that you will need. And it is all the rifle you would ever need. They have fiber optic sights and can be purchased in stainless steel even, if you wish. This is what I would look at. With your budget you would be able to purchase a quality rifle and have some left over for all the other things you're going to need. The Knight rifle I mentioned does not have sights and is actually meant to be scoped.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

Here is a pretty good deal on an Omega: http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000318898

$264

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

I made a decision to purchase a CVA kodiak .50 cal. It should be here sometime next week. I know this is a new gun that came out with the pivot block action. Anybody know the goods and bads of this gun and if you use or have this gun what load and ammos is best for it?

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

You are supposed to ask the pros & cons of MLs BEFORE you purchase them.

That rifle likes bullets around 250-300 grains. Try the 300 gr. Hornady XTPs & 250 grain T/C Shockwaves.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

I know I should of ask before purchasing it but I guess there is thier ups and downs on everything. I just like the gun so much becauseof it's pivot-action block. I haven't seen one like that before and want something different, plus i save about $40. What about the Hornady sst 250gr.?

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

The Hornady SST is basically the same bullet as the Shockwave, but mosthave found themmore difficult to load due to plastic sabot differences.

Your savings of $40 is nothing - should you somedayfractionally short-seat your bullet in that CVA. Those soft extruded Spanish barrels bulge faster than T/Cs, Whites, Savages & Knights. Also, the full lifetime warranties on T/Cs and Knights are tops in the firearms industry - plus the manufacturers I listed abovehave better accuracy usingmagnum powder charges & monster bullets - plus better resale value.

I own three Spanish guns. Want to buy them?

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

As far as getting bulges in the barrel, I hope it will never happen to me. I've seen them in shotgun barrel before and it doesn't look pretty.

I don't think I'm gonna need a bullet bigger than 250gr and loads more than 100gr pushing it for whitetails or do I?:D

Should of ask me that question before I bought mine. I wouldof been interested in them.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

Make sure you read the owner's manual and follow the loadrecommendations. That goes for anyone and any rifle you purchase, not just a BPI product. Also there are load recommendations on the powders you buy. Hodgdon's for instance does not recommend more then 100 grains of pellet/powder.

There have been a lot of controversy over the Spanish Barrels. You can take it for what it is worth. You can read the warnings of the BPI barrels and stay away from them or you can make your own decision, as you did and purchase one. I own a CVA Staghorn and never shoot over 100 grains of Goex 2f and a 300 grains sabot. It shoots excellent, but I do not push it to magnum abilities.

Good luck with your rifle.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

I am a news junky and I have never heard a news report about people being hurt with a Spanish gun. Actually I have never read a story of anyone being hurt by any m/l. That actually surprises me some what with all the things that can go wrong with them.

The only incidents that I know of is one guy in Bristol NH back in the 70's loading his m/l up with smokeless powder and the alleged incidences I have read on the internet.

So shoot your rifle following the loading guide lines and have fun!!! It will be in business long after you are gone if it is cared for and shot right.

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

You keep saying that. But you never say what you'lllet them go for. If they are all in good order, I'll give 5 bucks a piece for them and pay the shipping. I can get some people started with them on loads which are comfortable in them. So then you can get them out of your hair and quit asking if anyone wants to buy them.

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

Hope you enjoy the CVA like it has been stated in
earlier replys, read that OWNERS MANUAL and make
sure you are very very familiar with powder types
and loads. Have fun good shooting God Bless
Danny

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

What does this mean Triple se7en? All barrels bulge and spanish barrels do it faster?

What exactly is the hardness of a "soft" Spanish barrel? And what are the hardness of the T/C's, Whites, Savages, and Knights?

Happy Hunting, Phil

RE: Muzzleloader for beginner?
 

It won't, provided you don't charge "max charges" and load"monster bullets"

That's plenty of powder. You can load that gun (using less powder)with loads which yield 1/3 the pressure of "max charge", "monster bullet" loads, which are capable of taking dangerous game like grizzly and buffalo.

Be sensible with your new rifle. If you do,you won't have any bulged barrels and you will kill your whitetails just as dead as anyone with a T/C, Knight, or White.

Good Luck, Phil