I am looking to hunt muzzle-loader for the first time this year. Looking for a good gun to start out with. Any recommendations on Caliber & Maker ? After looking at how many more days you can hunt deer , I should have bought one a long time ago.

Slugman,

There are many different types of muzzleloaders, from flint to inlines. I personally shoot both. There are many different types of manufactures, from Traditions, Thompson, Knight, CVA, etc.

I have a 50 calibur Traditions Deerhunter flint and a 50 cal CVA Firebolt. Both guns shoot well but need more time at the range than the 30-06. I use both here in PA since I can use them during different seasons. I picked up the Deerhunter at Gander mountain in one of those kits. This way I had everything I needed to get started. I have killed deer with it so I know it works, but it is not necessarily the ultimate gun. I was at Gander Mountain last weekend and they have a kit for a Knight muzzleloader inline at a decent price.

Check your Game Commission muzzleloader laws regarding the types you can use. This should help you to decide what type you want, than go from there.

Tomster

Slugman ,
virtually any ML will take game if properly cared for . Stick with a .50 cal . A visit to your local ML club will give you the chance to see many types and models before purchasing your own .

How are the CVA' s ? Seem to be reasonably priced .......

I bought a CVA Mountain Stalker last september and the rifle has behaved flawless. It shoots patched roundballs with amazing accuracy (deer found that out already). It was a .54 caliber and was being sold at Bass Pro Shop for $40.00 (they are all gone or I would get another one).

I have also looked at the Eclipse made by CVA at Bass Pro Shop. They are on sale also right now. I think for the money, CVA are a great gun. Granted they are not a Knight, White, T/C, etc. but they are not in that money range as some of them also.

If I were to get an in-line it would have to be a .50 caliber (no one sells the .54 calibers anymore>> do they?) with a 1-28 twist and shooting the 209 caps. With this caliber you get the most options on projectiles and etc. Throw a scope on it, and you got a great long range rifle there.

Unless i get any underwater shots at deer , cant see spending $600 for a knight.
Looks like CVA or Thopmson is the way to go.