30ptdoe

I am new to black powder hunting and I am looking to but my first inline rifle. I am looking at the cva hunter bolt, cva wolf, new england sidekick, or a t/c omega. I know the omega is the best out of these but i am not sure if i will have that much money to spend. I am going to use it as my primary whitetail rifle in both wisconsin and Pa. I was wondering wich would be the best to buy and if I should get it in .45 or .50 cal. and also would my 6-18 redfield rifle scope be alright on it.

cayugad

Keep your eye open for an Omega somewhere cheap. They are really coming down in price. Otherwise the Sidekick would be my choice.

also welcome to the forum...

sabotloader

30ptdoe

Easy questions first....

I would totally recommend a 50 cal vs the 45 cal - there are just to many options available for the 50... Another thing a recent market survey showed that the 45's may have reached their peak and may be declining in popularity. I many states especially out west the can not be used on elk and for whitetail you would have to use a true bore-sized bullet.

I personally would think that a 6-18 would be way over-scoped for a ML gun. 3x9's are probably the most common. But if it works for you that is what really counts.

I would agree and if you can get the bucks - that is the one I would buy.. Cayugad has recommended the sidekick often as a quality gun...

I myself have a CVA Firebolt 50 cal... It will certainly do the job hunting in 90% of the hunting situations. I probably would not take it the target shooting competition if I could take my Remingtons or my A&H, but for hunting it would do just fine.

Take a look at some of the Knight guns also they have a very good reputation.

Tahquamenon

50 caliber, unless you really score a deal on a 45.

6-18 is waytoo much magnification for less than 75 yards in my view and that is where most of your hunting opportunities are going to present themselves.

Check your laws for optics use. WI has a non magnification law.

Forget optics for the moment. Get the best ML you can afford and hunt open sights until you can afford optics. With practice you can obtain 100 yard open sights accuracy which will hold you over until it's time for a scope.

T/C Omega
Knight Wolverine
Traditions Pursuit Pro
NEF Sidekick

Or, toss in the notion of a decent used ML. Often after the seasons you can find great deals on ML's in the shops. Look carefully and don't buy a rust bucket. Use a drop-in bore light to inspect the bore.

On another thought...
You could consider a sidelock percussion that you could also convert to flintlock with a lock and barrel swap. Then you could also participate in PA's flintlock season.

Tahquamenon

cayugad

I agree with the others.. that scope is a little much. Even if you were shooting in the flat southern end of the state. Then you can not use the scope during the muzzleloader season in Wisconsin here. Put the scope on with Quick release mounts and keep the fiber optic sights on it. Then you can use it in all seasons.

.50 caliber is the way to go. I just checked the local Wal Mart and they are not having any sales in my area yet. This is a real pain. I was hoping to get about #10 pounds of Pyrodex and #10 pounds of Triple Se7en when it comes on sale and also some pellets to play with. All their rifles were gone also.

I really think after the first of the year you will see some great sales. Sportsman's Guide was selling a Disc Elite .50 caliber stainless for $200.00 or $250.00 but its my understanding they ran out. Thank goodness. I was sure tempted to get one.

Eladamri

The OKC Bass Pro still had a few of the Knight Disc Elites on the shelf for $199 when I was there last Sunday. So they are still out there, just have to search for them.

30ptdoe

thanks for the help i am sure i will be asking more questions as time goes by. i was wondering if anyone knows whether you can use inlines for the regular gun season in wisconsin?

cayugad

Yes, I shoot an inline with a scope all through the T-zone and the modern rifle season. I also shoot the unscoped models. The only time the scope has to be off of it is during muzzleloading season. A lot of guys that hunt the shotgun only areas around Madison and Milwaukee really like the muzzleloader with a scope in the modern season because it gives them an extended range...

AmericanPioneer

Try looking at the bargain cave at Cabelas for the CVA firebolt magnum in .45 caliber for 109.00. Cant beat that with a stick. They have the CVA Kodiak magnum in .45 also in different configurations. They are a little higheri in price. You can get them in just rifle, rifle and scope, or rifle and starter kit. Heres the link.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/index/index-display.jsp?id=cat370001&navAction=jump&na vCount=1&parentId=cat21404&parentType=cate gory&cmCat=email