I know the Pro Hunter & Encore are probably on the top of the food chain but are a little too pricey for me.

I have been looking at the CVA Wolf, 26" barrell.

What are some recommendation for other break-action smoke poles?

Definetely get the NEF Sidekick over the CVA. It's just my opinion but I think it's a lotmore gun for the money. I don't like the way the CVA handles anyways. Good luck.

The NEF Sidekick is a good looking rifle but have no interest in the primer carriers.

I didn't care for the primer carriers in either the Knight or the NEF but when I foundan NEF Huntsmanon the used gun shelf I couldn't pass it up. I have since converted the breechplug to the .25ACP conversion and I love the gun. The conversion is a little pricey but the .25ACP brass is a lot easier to deal with when handling with cold hands than the 209 primers. You do have to prime the brass but that is a simple job. You also can replace the rather flimsy ramrod with one made by Hubbards Outdoors and the package then becomes a real sweetheart. All this is way less trouble than dealing with the Spanish imports. I had a Traditions Pursuit which I traded for this Huntsman. The Pursuit was terrible for trigger action and the accuracy was only fair (although due to the 15+ pound trigger the accuracy could not be had regardless of any other characteristics). I have not heard of one bad trigger on any of the H&R/NEF rifles. They also are usually reporting excellent accuracy. I have not shot mine enough to tell but the first sighting in shots were very promising (slightly tighter group than my T/C Omega with similar loads).

That was great advice by ML Keith.

I would reccomend the CVA Optima or Optima Pro. I have the optima and it has performed fine for me through three seasons. I believe it is a step above the Wolf, and it shoots good groups.

This might sound strange, but when hunting I would take the primer disc carriers any day over any other kind of 209 loading device.. Its so easy to put in and take out without tools. Also on some of them a glace and you see whether the primer is in place or not. Throw a couple of them in your pocket and your good to go.

I like the NEF Sidekick as well.

the primer carriers are nice for hunting as has been stated I had a sidekick before I got my omega and you cant beat primer carriers for hunting in my book,,, again just through some in and your ready to go, but when sighting and target shooting they do get alittle bit of a pain in the a$$...

I use the CVA Wolf and I love it, it's simple design and ease of clean up make it very user friendly. Shoots great!

I ended up getting the CVA Wolf. It was $139 at Gander Mountain.....at that price, felt as if I couldn't pass it up. Hope to get to the range ASAP!!