I am trying to get into muzzleloading next year and need a few pointers. First I want to ask a question about a muzzleloader. I am going to see a guy who wants to sell me a remington 700 muzzleloader with a 3X9X40 scope and a 24" barrel. If this thing is in good shape, would it be a wise choice? Also is there any tips or pointers you can offer, ie Bullets, powder, guns around 150 - 225 dollars. My other choice was going to be a CVA Wolf, my le man has one and it is a nice lil gun. I have a remington 700 rifel and love it to peices and that is why i am so interested in the 700 MZ. Please help....

Cabela's Bargain Cave has a number of Rem. muzzleloaders on sale now.

I have a very nice Knight in-line that I love and would recommend to anyone. I wanted to get my dad into ML hunting but did not want to spend that kinda money on him since I did not know if it was something he would like to keep doing. I bought him a CVA wolf and it is a real nice shooter. Puts them in the center out to 100 yards no problem. The thing I dislike about my knight that I love about his is that you need no tools to load the 209 primer. Mine is a pull back bolt style and with the scope on it you can not get your fingers in there to load the primer, if I was to looses the primer loaderin the field, I could not load it to save my life. His is the break open style and you do not have to use a tool. A loading aid is nice, but I hate have to have mine and being screwed if I loose it. Some people think CVA is to cheap and no good, but I was happy with dads and would recommend it to anyone as a great starter ML.

DON'T BUY USED UNLESS YOU SEE IT SHOOT, I BOUGHT ONE FORM A GUY USED, HAD BAD RIFLEING HAD TO GET RID OF. bUY THE TOMPSON OMEGA EXCELLENT GUN 45 OR 50 [EASY TO CLEAN] SHOOTS GREAT EASY TO LOAD. You use their bullet it shoots out to 150 yards.

I've had my CVA for 5 years now. I paid a little over $100.00 for it with the starter kit. I also purchased a $30.00 Tasco 3x9x40 scope from wal-mart thinking that if I didn't like ML hunting, I hadn't lost much money. Love the CVA and the scope has supprised me also. My 12 will take the hunter safety course this year, and I will be purchasing him a CVA and another Tasco. You could spend more, but you don't have to.

Just my .02

Check your state regulations before you buy. Some states varyoninline 209 ignition, scopes, sabots . It will depend witch season you hunt too. muzzle loader, rifle, or shotgun.
Go to the Black powder forum you can get alot of tips & help there.

I have a friend who use to use a 700 MZ a few years back, he had a 700 BDL also, so your in the same boat as he was. He shot it a couple of years and then bought an encore. I think because the encore handled 3 pellets and 700 didn't, he was shooting TC shockwaves As for you buying this rifle, will the person let you shoot it? Is so shoot it and see how you like it, if he won't let you shoot it, ask why? Also is barrel shiny or pitted? I think you can buy new for about what your thinking of buying this for. As for powder, loads, bullets, general ML infoetc, see the following:

http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2h.muzzleloader.htm

http://www.randywakeman.com/inline.htm

http://www.hpmuzzleloading.com/Contents.html

Don't read the above a "gospel" or the Bible, but general guidelines and information.
Chap Gleason Va

Killadoe,
I personally not a fan of break open rifles and like the falling breech hipower and BP rifles best. I just like the function and look. Since the scope is mounted on the barrel in both cases accuracy should never be an issue. I do think w/ the advent of the Omega it pretty much made all rifles that have a primer under the scope obsolete. Why would you want a rifle that is hard to get a primer in place, one that blows crud on your scope, or loose the longer barrel length for the same overall length?
If you buy used the bore has to be ABSOLUTELY PERFECT. Use a drop in bore light like the traditions one for 8 bucks. Well worth every penny. Make sure you bring a cleaning rod like a aluminum shotgun version w/ a 50 cal brush and clean it good and swab out. Any spots, forget it. Just toooo many great used rifles out there. Don't care how nice a BP rifle is unless it is a custom rifle from great builder you will never get your money back for them. They loose value fast...
Buy used get the best deal and spend you saved bucks on NICE scope, bullets and powder. The Nikon prostaff has the best bang for the buck w/ a true lifetime warranty. I'm a Leupold fan but you will pay 80.00 more min. I sell tons of Busnell and never have returns but for the working man Nikon is hard to beat.
What ever you pick, Shoot the heck out of it, understand it and you will literally have a blast!
JMHO.
LOL, SHills

I also would not buy the gun without shooting it - I wouldnt buy a used gun period unless I knew the guy well.

If you are new to blackpowder, it may be easier to overlook signs of poor care, unless you really know what you are doing. If it wasnt cared for well you might be in for a lot of work that may not be worth your trouble.

I think I would rather buy a new gun for my first. Like already noted, you need to know your states restrictions before you go off and buy something.