I have never hunted using black powder, butseveral friendskeeps begging me to give it a try. I don't want to throw a whole lot of cash in case it isn't for me. Can I get a decent gun for $200?

yeah CVA Optima.

www.budsgunshop.com

Just search until you find CVA.

I paid $279 for my mossy oak/nickel Optima. I think the black with the blued barrel will get you close to $200. If I had to do it over again, my experience with black powder and nickel don't mix when trying to keep the finish clean.

Best prices around.

http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/department.asp?dept=%4D%55%5A%5A%4C%45%4C%4F%41%44 %49%4E%47&dept2=%4D%55%5A%5A%4C%45%4C%4F%41%44 %49%4E%47%20%52%49%46%4C%45%53&dept3=%35%30%20 %43%41%4C&dept4=%43%56%41%20%4F%50%54%49%4D%41

Thanks for the link. So, everyone here thinks CVA is one of the better guns? I may just pull the trigger on this deal (pun intended)

Honestly the best option is to borrow a gun from one of your friends and see if you like MLing or buy a used gun, which you can get for as low as $100, usually at the end of the season. The powder, supplies, accessories is also going to run a $100 or so. Here is some links if you intend to buy new:

SELECTING AND BUYING MUZZLELOADERS:[*]Beware the First Year Models (Article by Randy Wakeman)[*]Buying A New Muzzleloader? (Article by Randy Wakeman)[*]How to Select a New Muzzleloader (Article by Randy Wakeman)[*]Rating the Inline Muzzleloading Manufacturers (Article by Randy Wakeman)[*]Recommended Muzzleloader Brands (Article by the G&S Online Staff)[*]Want to Buy an Inline? A Short History of Modern Inline Design (Article by Randy D. Smith)[*]What Makes for a Good Muzzleloader (Article by Randy Wakeman)[*]What Muzzleloader Should I Buy? (Article by Randy Wakeman)


Best Wishes on your search. Chap Gleason

The H&R and NEF guns are inexpensive too and are reported to shoot well too.

Here you go. Natchez Shooters Supply has the the CVA Optima,blue/composite for $159.95. I had an optima for 2 seasons. It's not a T/C Encore, by any means, but the one I had was a good, reliable shooter.

http://www.natchezss.com/category.cfm?contentID=productDetail&brand=CV& amp;category=19&subCategory=19&catLevel=1& amp;prodID=CVPR2000

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76495741

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76611134

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76242989

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76661274

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76735834

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=76448247

http://www.gunbroker.com/Auction/ViewItem.asp?Item=75892283

I have a new-unfired Knight DISC Elite I would ship to you for $220. It has the black stock with the blued barrel. It has the target adjustable trigger. It does not have sights. Tom.