In the market for a ML
 

Hi all,

I'm considering using a Muzzleloader next year during our state's shotgun deer season. We have a couple new blinds that could possibly require shots out to 150 - 175 Yds and i don't think my shotgun is up to it. I would also like to use the ML for a mule deer hunt out west. And it's time for a new toy. :)

interested in what people have to say about the new crop of ML's out there now. I had a Traditions inline years ago, but it looks like things have changed quite a but since then.

Interested in your feedback.

Thanks

well first off I would check on regs in area you intend to hunt and see what is legal for the hunt.
we can still shoot inlines but it must have exposed nipple and iron sites. also , no pellets, loose powder only. and sabots are illegal

well normally i shoot white rifles but i just bought the accura v2/lr nitride rifle combo package if your not familiar i would check them out very easy to load,shoot and maintain although they don't come with the loose powder breech plug so if you plan on shooting loose powder you'll have to buy one anyhow i shot the federal bor lok 270 gr bullets with 120 grs bh209 powder "way too stout" very accurate i am planning on going to the range again tomorrow and reduce my load to about 90-100 grs of bh209 i'll post my targets and let everybody know how she shoots.

i wonder if the federal bor lok are going to be considered a sabot ? i wouldn't think so but who knows ?

I am not sure. I would suggest you check and make sure.

question not for me it was just general question for the op. thanks !

You will get alot of opinions when you ask a question like that. You also didn't mention what you budget was...that could make a difference.

The thing is, there are plenty of rifles that will get the job done. The Traditions and CVA are cheaper Spanish made guns, but certainly work fine and get the job done. CVA being much better than that Trad, imo. If I was looking at that I'd opt for a CVA Optima V2. I think that is probably the best value for the $ in their lineup. The Wolf is the entry level, and does well for an inexpensive rifle.

You have TC which is now owned by S&W, their focus certainly isn't ML's but they still have a few decent rifles. The Omega which they did away with was outstanding, no clue why they discontinued it. The triumph gets alot of praise, the impact is an entry level rifle but pretty good by all counts.

The upper end of the list for production guns is Knight. Made in USA, excellent craftsmanship, top quality parts, and they drive tacks. The mac daddy production ML imo is the Ultra-Lite. Just an amazing rifle, but certainly not cheap. The biggest seller is the disc extreme. If you are open to shooting a .52 (which has alot of bullet options) you can get a stainless disc extreme from Knight for less than $400 new - which is outstanding. My suggestion for any of the knights would be to get the bare primer breech plug setup. Mine give 100% blowback free igntion with W209 primers and BH209, and they shoot extremely well. You should have zero problems shooting accurately and confidently out to 200yds with one, once you dial it in and practice.

Another thing... fit and feel may be important to you. I suggest handling some if you can before you purchase.

My .02, good luck in your search!

In Iowa it's legal to hunt the shotgun season with a ML. the only restriction is you cannot use a one that has electronic ignition.

From a budget standpoint I would like to stay under a grand for the rifle. Have not started the search yet for the glass.

Thanks for the info on the Knights. i think I will also take a look at some of the TC's.

Wow, then just buy the best!!

http://www.midwayusa.com/product/587...with-spiderweb

My person favorite is the CVA Optima with thumbhole stock.

Another great muzzy is the Traditions Strikerfire. Every year my brother in law gets lucky and his deer keep getting bigger!

Jon

If I walked into a store to purchase that spotting scope, how much would go on my Visa?

Do you still have to pull back the plunger on this rifle to cock it and unscrew the rear knob to get it into fire position?

No, its a bolt action. Once you load the primer in and shut the bolt, its cocked and ready to fire. Then you just push the regular safety fwd to fire.

All Knights do have the secondary safety...most leave them off unless they need to use it. I love that feature on my rifles. I screw it ON when pulling my loaded gun up and down into treestands, and at other times here and there.

OH OK. I saw the rear of the bolt and it looked a lot like the earlier Knights. I would have thought they would have improved on that set up. Although simple and extremely safe I really didn't like it.

The Knight plunger style Rifles are terribly dirty and I hate them myself.

Two of my 3 current MZs are older Knight Disc Extremes(LRH & MH) and the other is a Disc Elite. All 3 have been converted to a Lehigh bare primer breech plug and I use BH 209(100 to 110 gr) and Harvester 260 & 300 PT Gold bullets and their black Crush Rib sabots touched off with Winchester's regular 209 primers. All are capable of sub MOA groups at 100 yds. For the last 5 years I've used my MLs for all my hunting(Whitetails, hogs and exotics) in Texas, Miss. & LA.(all low fence free range). I don't feel limited by my choice of weapons and I've harvested a number of nice animals. These loads are not only accurate but deadly. I've had more fun and fired more rounds in that 5 years than in my entire 72 years of hunting. Enjoy.

I couldn't agree more!!!

hoe does the Traditions "strike fire" stack up against the knight ultra and say the TC Pro Hunter. The ignition system (no hammer) seems really interesting. I don't see anyone else out there with anything similar. Also it seems that the TC and the strike fire, with their speed breech plug setup, should be a breeze to clean and even unload with out shooting.

what are the differences between the optima and different models like the v2 for example and is one a better design or better features ? i'm not that familiar with the cva's except the v2/lr i just bought. thanks

the optima is more sleek and low profile while the accura has a bigger/fatter looking stock. The Optima thumbhole however is only good for a scope while the v2 accura stock works both ways, one reason its larger.

For scoped muzzy, I much prefer the optima v2 because the stock fits me so well.

i'm really liking the v2/lr much more than i expected !

I havent messed with the LR yet. I figured the 27" barrel was more than enough LOL. Either will do the job perfectly in the right hands.

i'm 6-2 255 lbs so that little 30 inch barrel doesn't bother me too much ! lol

Only when you're leading a running deer, and smack the barrel on a tree.

there are not many trees in arizona just bushes ! lol

You're not hunting the right area. I only hunt in timber, and if I lived in Arizona i'd be hunting here.

That Optima is one ugly look'n rifle. That Traditions looks more like a real muzzleloader.

The Encore Pro Hunter FX, the 209x50 Pro Hunter, Encore, Triumph or the Impact all are excellent rifles. No need to purchase special breech plugs to shoot BH209 if you desire to shoot that.

All inlines are ugly. :p

Geez Pete - take a break!

What? Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

yeah i hunt up there when i get drawn you should know that! lol otherwise i go with the bow. i actually got drawn for a h.a.m. hunt in 22 in feb going to take the new v2/lr i think and my freedom arms in .45 win mag

Javelina? Me too--Unit 22, too! Taking my old Optima Pro .50.

what date feb-5th. ?

Yep...javelina.