new to muzzleloaders
 

if you could recommend a riflle for a beginner, what would it be? I was looking at the TC omega z5 or CVA optima, both with thumbholes.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

What kind of shooting are you going to be doing Hurley? Is there any laws that restrict powers, projectiles, ignition systems where you hunt?

Since you want a thumbhole stock, I am not sure if the Omega Z5 comes with that. That might be an extra you need to purchase. Although I will not swear to that fact. I guess of the two listed I would get the Thompson Center. I would load it with 100 grains of powder and a 250 grain Shockwave and go shoot it.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

cayugad, Our Walmart here in the little bitty town of Heber Springs has them, I was handling one, they have a high comb like the Triumph for scopes,Iron sights might be a bit difficult. Lee

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

deer hunting. only laws I could find was no telescopic lens, must load through the muzzle and the breech must be removable and threaded. I am actually in wisconsin too! I am also up to suggestions other than the rifles listed above.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Buy a Savage 10ML2 and you can shoot smokeless and BP and Sub, plus it is very accurate, here is a comparison of the Savage with the Pro Hunter:

Chap Gleason

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Since you arein Wisconsin, then anything is legal. As long as its open sights, orthe scope has no magnification and the bore is bigger then .40 caliber. I use two rifles with 1X scopes on them...Or I have a number of other rifles with open sights and RED DOTs to shoot.

That Omega should do you just fine. That is an easy 100 yard rifle for you. With a 209 primer ignition it would be water resistant. And with a good load, no Wisconsin whitetail would get away. As for other suggestions.. if you had a price range you were willing to spend it would help others in the group with your considerations.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

looking to spend under $300. where i hunt all shots would be under 150 yards.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

The Omega then. Chap Gleason

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Read all the articles on Gun Selection over on Chuck Hawks web site:

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

read the articles in the gun evaluation for each gun your interested in. Best Wishes.
Chap Gleason

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

I think I really comes down to what you personally like. One is a break action and the other is not. Both are probably fine guns. I've hunted with the Optima before. Personally didn't like the stock but I have a Wolf 209 and love it. Inexpensive and shoots great. The omega looks like a pretty rifle and probably shoots good too. My suggestion would be to go to the store and shoulder each rifle and see which one feels good to you. I listed the links below just incase you wanted more information.

Optima Links:
http://www.cva.com/products/rifle_optelite.htm

Wolf Links:
http://www.cva.com/products/rifle_wolf.htm

Omega Links:
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/omega.php

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

I bought my TC Omega Z5 w/ synthetic thumbhole stock at Walmart for $297 + tax.
I have seen them priced at $400+on some websites. (with that stock).

It's a greatrifle IMO.


chris

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

I am using that Omega thumbhole for the first time this season and just took a deer with it over the weekend. I picked it up for $299 at walmart. If your Walmart carries guns but not that one, you can order it off of Walmart.com and have it shipped to your store for no cost. I shoot 100 grains of Triple 7 and a 300 grain Shockwave and get inch groups at 100yds. Love this smokepole!

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

I have never seen more garbage spewed than on that Chuck Hawkes website. This Wakeman guy is obviously getting paid by someone to badmouth any gun that was made in Spain as are the CVA's. He even states that resale value is what should determine whether to buy a particular gun or not. What nonesense!! Plenty of guns ain't worth much in resale value yet are perfectly fine guns.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Actually he makes a good point about spanish barrels as most are only rated for about 9000 psi, versus 100,000 to 120,000 psi for the savage 10ml-II and 10ml respectively.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Theres no actual proof what the spanish barrels are proofed at. Theres also no proof of what american barrels are tested at.

Todays spanish barrel is no longer an issue. Especially since cva now has a high quality Bergara barrel which is also used on centerfire.

The savage was built for smokeless powder, so naturally, it will be running very very high psi #'s.

Lets not get into this barrel proofing psi BS. You and i, or anyone else on here is no expert with any companies barrel proofing.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

I would go Omega myself. I have a Z5 and love it!

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Steve863, Any body that gets paid for saying something says what there paid to say, I do not think that suprises anybody.
An the proof testing in over seas is regulate by a law in certain countries to be at least 9,000 per sq. inch although they use metric I and you have to convert it. Lee
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RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

do all TC's have interchangable barrels?

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

No, the only the Encore line does I believe.Some people such as Green Mountain sell replacement barrels for a given gun.My brotherhas an encore, with a 300 Win Mag barrel, a 25-06 and a MLer, he basically only uses the MLer barrel. It is of coursehis favorite gun, and hunts with it in rifle season.
Chap Gleaosn

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Encore, Contender, and the old System 1 offer barrel interchange. Most of TCs inlines are made to be used only with the factory installed barrel.

There may have been another switch-barrel model or two so far as TC inlines - but I don't recall if so.

RE: new to muzzleloaders
 

Ditto.