Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

I am going to apply for a 2004 elk tag in CO. I have 3 PP, so I should draw.

Question is, what muzzleloader ? I've owned a few in the past but my last (A TC Thunderhawk) was stolen 4 years ago and I haven't kept up with the change sin the industry since.

I like traditional - flint locks attract me though I've never shot one. But where to find one of quality and at a reasonable price ?

Caplocks ... well, if I go tech I'll go inline for certain.

Which inline if I go that route ? Ya'll have a favorite model or are they all created equal ?

I'll be buying a .50 cal - I'm confident in them. Other than that, and a small affinity for Thompson Centers, I have little guidance.

HELP ?!!

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

If you like in lines, and Thompson Center and want to hunt elk, I would go with the Black Diamond XR. I have one. It has a 26" barrel and can shoot 209, #11, or musket caps. The rifle is a bit heavy but can take the magnum charges. The one I have I am working up a load for right now. I think I will shoot the T/C Shockwaves. They seem to group real well.

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

don't overlook knights. well worth the price. quality can't be beat.

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

You are not going to find a cheap, quality flinter. All the cheap flintlocks sold in the last twenty years are one reason many folks think they are unreliable. The least expensive flint rifle I could recommend is the Lyman Great Plains rifle, at about $275-$325 at online dealers like Midsouth.

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

stealthycat buy another thunderhawk,I own one in 54 cal. man seems that the inline I always grap in the gun safe. My next choice would be the Omega, Black diamond xr ,Winchester Apex

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

i love my thompson center pennsylvania hunter. if your more familiar with a flintlock i say go for it. if you want to go high tech then put a scope on it. i think that would be something;)

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

This ones easy. Thompson Center Encore. 50 Caliber. Next question?

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

I've heard people say that .50 cal. is not good enough for elk. Knight makes a .52 cal. that is supposed to be very potent.

I think .50 cal. should be enough though if you are patient enough to wait for the right shot, and if you are a good marksman. I have the T/C Omega, and it is outstanding. It is a magnum gun with a 28" barrel, plus the quality of being a T/C. If you have the bread, go with the T/C Encore. Then, you can collect barrels. Hunt elk with a 7mm, or .300 WM one season, then swap barrels and continue to hunt during muzzleloading season!

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

I killed an elk in 1997 I think it was with my 50 cal Thunderhawk at about 80 yards - no problems, shot through both lungs and dropped him in about 75 yards.

More suggestions ?

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

T/C Black Diamond XR or T/C Omega:)

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

Need to realize the restrictions in Colorado on elk hunting for your recommendations. .50 cal minimum, conicals can be no more than 2X caliber in length, NO SABOTS allowed, NO Pellets allowed, no scopes ....well, here:

a. In-line muzzleloaders are legal.
b. Must be single-barrel and fired from the shoulder.
c. Must fire a single round-ball or conical projectile the length of which does not exceed twice the diameter.
d. To hunt deer, pronghorn antelope or bear, they must be .40 caliber or larger.
e. To hunt elk or moose, they must be .50 caliber or larger.
f. From .40 caliber to .50 caliber, bullets must weigh at least 170 grains.
g. If greater than .50 caliber, bullets must weigh at least 210 grains.
h. Shotshell primers are legal.
i. Pelletized powder systems prohibited in muzzleloading seasons.
j. Cannot be loaded from the breech in muzzleloading seasons.
k. Only open or iron sights allowed in muzzleloading seasons. Scopes prohibited. Fiber optic sight paints are legal. Artificial light, batteries and electronic gear are illegal.
l. Sabots are prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Cloth patches are not sabots.
m. Smokeless powder prohibited in muzzleloading seasons. Black powder, Pyrodex (granulated, not pellets), Clear Shot, Clean Shot and Triple 7 are legal.

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

T/C Omega,blued w/ black stock

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

I recommend a White Model 98 Elite Hunter in .50 caliber. Hard to beat! Website pricing might scare you away, but there are deals to be found.

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

Hey,

HAPPY NEW YEAR. I second Underclocked as far as the White. I have a White S91 in .50 cal and it is a beaut. Looks good and shoots better. Shoots 460 gr. conicals which should be good for your Elk hunt.
If you want to take alook and a lower price MZ but still good quality, go to www.hr1871.com and look at the Huntsman MZ in .50 cal. These can be bought for under $130 and don't let the price fool you, they are well made in the good old USA. The Huntsman will also take the 460 conicals, mine came from No Excuses. Good Luck with your search.

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

I think I have decided on a Huntsman. For the price they can't be beat.

I have an FFL buddy who has one that has a 12 gauage barrel with it for $175 ........... is this a pretty good price ?

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

It sounds very good. Make sure the gun has a good trigger and, if so, you've made a good choice..

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

I have a Thompson Center Renegade .50 cal. (Basically it is a T.C. Hawken without all the brass)

Not glitz or glamour flinter here, just a bare bones stock gun, shoots great, easy to take care of, and gets the job done :-)

RE: Help me pick a muzzleloader PLEASE !!
 

If traditional is your bag, as is mine, you can't go wrong with the T/C hawken or Pa Hunter or the Lyman Plains rifle. The latter two though you are goint to have to shood patch and ball to get any accuracy. The Hawken with its 1:48 twist will let you get away with conicals. (Or you can buy a Green Mtn replacement barrel for about $150 for any of them with a 1:28 twist and have a rifle that will shoot conicaly very well.
If you are into or want an inline - I'd go with the CVA Optima Pro. Mine shoots great and costs from just over $200 to about $275 depending on finish/stock combo. And this puppy shoots every bit as good as my friends $500 + Encore.