Best inexpensive muzzleloader
07-20-2003 | 05:43 PM
#2
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,802
Likes: 0
From: Coralville, IA. USA
RE: Best inexpensive muzzleloader
I haven' t personally shot one, but I just got back from Gander Mountain where I was looking at a few different muzzleloaders. I' ve been toying with the idea of getting either a T/C Encore or Omega. Well, I was looking at the Encore, and the guy at the counter suggested I also look at the CVA Optima which is an Encore clone without the interchangeable barrels. It looked like a fairly nice rifle for the price, it held and pointed well. and CVA' s are known to be pretty accurate. The only thing I didn' t care for was the cheap looking composite stock, and the trigger could use some work. It broke cleanly with minimal creep and overtravel, but it was definately a product of lawyer-proofing. The pull weight was pretty high.
But, all things considered, for $189 it seems to be a good deal. If I were looking for a muzzleloader on a budget, it would be high on the list. If this is your first muzzleloader, then what you save on the rifle can be put toward good accessories.
My first inline was (and I' ve still got it) a Traditions Buckhunter Pro in stainless/black composite. The finish wasn' t very nice, and the machineing of the receiver was kindof rough, but it is a shooter for sure. It loves heavy Hornady conicals and will shoot <2" groups at 100 yards and will kill a deer as well as any of its nicer cousins. I picked it up on clearance at Wally World for $150.
Mike
But, all things considered, for $189 it seems to be a good deal. If I were looking for a muzzleloader on a budget, it would be high on the list. If this is your first muzzleloader, then what you save on the rifle can be put toward good accessories.
My first inline was (and I' ve still got it) a Traditions Buckhunter Pro in stainless/black composite. The finish wasn' t very nice, and the machineing of the receiver was kindof rough, but it is a shooter for sure. It loves heavy Hornady conicals and will shoot <2" groups at 100 yards and will kill a deer as well as any of its nicer cousins. I picked it up on clearance at Wally World for $150.
Mike
07-20-2003 | 06:37 PM
#3
Nontypical Buck
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 2,922
Likes: 0
RE: Best inexpensive muzzleloader
07-20-2003 | 08:02 PM
#4
Typical Buck
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 826
Likes: 0
From: Wabash, IN
RE: Best inexpensive muzzleloader
I double Triple 7' s recommendation. The Knight Wolverine or USAK (American Knight) are excellent choices - especially for a relatively inexpensive beginning. I started with the USAK 3 years ago and have never seen the need to " upgrade" yet.
The Omega offers some fine upgrades and is worth a look too.
The Omega offers some fine upgrades and is worth a look too.
07-23-2003 | 07:49 AM
#5
Dominant Buck
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 22,545
Likes: 0
From: Ramsey , Indiana
RE: Best inexpensive muzzleloader
Traditions Buckhunter inline in .50 or .54 , $149 . I own 2 of them in .54 and love them . Very reliable , easy to clean , simple rugged design , and they came with TruGlo fiber optic sights . [8D]
