RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

I think these prices might be a little on the high side. I picked up my NEF Sidekick for $159, put on a Bushnell Banner Dusk to Dawn Scope ($69), Millet see through High mount rings ($19), NEF mounting Base and trigger extenstion ($20) and accessories (extra range ram rod, patch puller, patchs, solvents, bullet starter, speed loaders, bullets and 777 pellets and a few more things. ($120). Total price $387. I just purchased these this fall. The accessories are from memory the rest I am sure on the prices. CVA makes a nice kit that includes a lot of the accessories you'll need. I picked up the kit for $49.00.
I believe Thompson Center fire also makes a bolt action model that are can be bought for around $200. Either way expect it to run $400 on the low end. All my items were purchased at local stores except the base mount and trigger extension which came direct from NEF.


I do think though if your going to shoot 200+ yards a range finder is some thing that you should have. I believe the point Tahquamenon was trying to make is that it can be hard to accurately judge 200 yards out in the woods or even on and open field. what you think might be 200 yards might be 230 yards. That can make a big difference. I also not saying that I can shoot accurately with my gun to that range but others who have the Sidekick can. I never tried at that range yet since I just got this gun last fall. I know that at 100 yards its plenty accurate enough for me. I believe Thompson Center fire also makes a bolt action model that are can be bought for around $200. Here is a review on the sidekick from a repected member of the muzzleloading community.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/nef_sidekick.htm

While your at the web site do your self the favor and read the rest of the articles and reviews it will be time well spent.


Good Luck

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

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

If the $500 range is your budget then you can still work up a good in-line muzzy.
Everyone's needs are different.
I'm guessing .50 Caliber?

Perhaps a good used setup or components could be found? If you look, you can eventually find.

Look at it this way:
$50-100 is shot on accessories regardless of what you get (Powder, projectiles to include practicing, primers, cleaning supplies, range rod, loaders, measuring and maintenance tools and other nit-niods).

Then a working budget of $400-450 for rifle and optics/rings/mounts.

Take a look at the following;
-New or nice used Rifle$$200-325: T/C Black Diamond XR or Omega Blue/Syn, Knight Elite or Wolverine, CVA Optima Pro, Traditions Pursuit Pro.
-Optics (used and new on ebay for example) $100-150: Nikon Prostaff 3x9x40 (new for $129 on ebay), Leupold Rifleman or VX-I 2x7x33 or M8 4x used with lifetime warranty for sometimes around $150.
-Rings and mounts $25-50: Weaver, Millet.
Installation and boresighting: $20-40.

Retail=You will be close to $500-ish total including accessories. I'd budget $600.

Used but decent= for $400.00 you can find a really nice rifle w/scope if you look + $50-100 for accessories.

Could go with the rifle of choice and accessories this year and the optics next?

Good luck!

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

My needs were pretty much the same as yours.I'll probably never take a 200 yard shot but it's nice to know the rifle could......I bought a cva firebolt (inline) .45 for $170.The ballestic chart for two 50 grain pellets and powerbelt hollowtip showed it had killing power and bullet drop out close to 300 yards if I remember right .I enjoy shooting it even though I haven't killed a deer with it yet.I spent about another $100. on scope and acc.It's as accurate with me shooting as my centerfire rifles.I also bought a buckhorn .50 for one of my boys and it shoots fine.It was a complete kit for about $160.A great way to get started for deer hunting.

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

The Wolverine 209 is a Best Buy right now. You can purchase one for $139 by clicking right here.

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

I just recently purchased a 50 cal. inline but I own 3 muzzleloaders in 45 caliber and have gotten many deer with the 45 calibers. Two of them are sidelocks and the third is a Knight Wolverine that Cayugad brought up. I shot a buck at 140 yards with the Knight two months ago and I believe it could go to 200 yards if I wanted it to. I live in Virginia so our deer are not the monsters that are found out west or up north. I'm using a 275 powerbelt bullet with 85 grains of BlackMag3 powder if that helps should you go the 45 cal. route. I still believe the 50 is the best all around way to go that would let you hunt just about every State and also larger game. But there are some awfully good deals on the 45's at this time.

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

I am 17 and was in about the same place as you. I wanted a good ml that would last my lifetime if i wanted it to. I ended up buying an Omega. I got the thumbhole version, but that was just because thats what I really wanted and I didnt mind spending the extra money on it. I shoot SST's 250 grain out of it and can get groups through the same hole at 100 yards. I havent shot at 200 yards yet, but i'm sure the groups will be 3-4" or better. I thought I would rather spend a little money and get a good gun that would last forever that I really wanted. I'm very glad I did because the gun is just awesome. I put a Simmons AETEC scope on it ($160) which is an awesome scope with a lifetime warranty. Be sure to get good bases and rings like Leupold. I think you should spend a little bit more for a quality gun instead of buying a cheaper one now and having to get another one later because the cheap one isnt what you wanted, which will be more money overall. I think a synthetic stock Omega with blued barrel is only about $325 or so. I ended up paying almost $1000 for my whole setup, but I did not have to spend that much to have a good quality setup- I chose to. TC makes great guns, lifetime warranty, and outstanding customer service. You might also check into a Black Diamond XR for long range, not sure of the prices. I highly recommend getting a TC gun. I've not had experience with the Knights, but everyone else says they are good also. Good luck

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

ok, im really looking hard at the Knight .45 Wolverine HERE

My understanding is this is a plastic-disc type ignition?
i really dont mind ignition system, i usually dont need to take follow up shots;)

I have no doubt .45 is substantial for deer, the shotgun sabots i shoot are like a .41 cal slug, so...yea

Anyone have experience with this gun?
I'd like to spend the extra $30 for SS, then i can scope it after i get it.

opinions again gentlemen!?

Mat

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

What you are looking at is exactly what I have in my 45 cal. inline and I love it. My two sidelocks are blued but my Wolverine is stainless. I prefer the stainless because it does resist rusting but it will corrode if you mistreat it or neglect it. It is also easier to tell when it is clean or not. The disc system is basically a carrier for your 209 primer. Knight seems to think this adds to making it weatherproof and I guess to some extent it does. Check out this article from Randy Wakeman about selecting a muzzleloader.

http://www.chuckhawks.com/select_muzzleloader.htm

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

The second link are other articles on this webpage that can give you a lot of info from calibers, loads, and also rifle tests.

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

i didnt know they stopped making the stag horn that sucks i really liked mine i sold it in november to cover rent on e monthand was goingot go by a new one this spring [:@]

i never tryed it at 500 yards either but they stated in the manual i got with it that if you use three 50 grain prodex pellets(i prefer clean shot pellets but they are getting harder ad n harder to find lately ) you can shoot out to 500 yards the most i ever tryed and made was a 275 yard shot with it at a stationary target

RE: suggestions on starter ML
 

shoot stuff 88 i wanted to get in to muzzy huntin to and i bought a cva optima 209# 50. caliber. iv never shot it and will sell it to u for 200.oo dollars its still in original box. im sellin it because i got into bowhunting alot more:D if ur interested my email is [email protected]

thanks caleb