In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
#1
Thread Starter
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location:
Posts: 30
In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
I missed TWO shots with the inline muzzle loader I was hunting with this weekend.
I’ll concede that the CVA buckhorn is not by any means a top of the line muzzle loader, and that both shots were at fast moving deer over iron sites - but I have resolved to get something better next year.
I hunted with the CVA Staghorn a few years ago. That is their intro level ($150) model with percussion caps. The buckhorn is the next step up with 209 shotgun primers. Both require a tool to quickly cap the awkward priming nipple. That is a feature I want to avoid. I like the design of the break action muzzle loaders (Thompson?) I’ve seen at gun-shows. They seem easier to prime in the field quickly.
I also want to be able to pull the breach plug for a thorough cleaning at the end of the season.
I don’t mind paying for a quality muzzle loader as the one I buy will likely be the one I keep for the long haul. I’m leaning toward synthetic stocks and stainless steel, but I’m open to suggestions.
Does anyone have a muzzle loader that they love?
#2
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location:
Posts: 1,470
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
ORIGINAL: GroovyMike
I like the design of the break action muzzle loaders (Thompson?) I’ve seen at gun-shows. They seem easier to prime in the field quickly.
I also want to be able to pull the breach plug for a thorough cleaning at the end of the season.
I don’t mind paying for a quality muzzle loader as the one I buy will likely be the one I keep for the long haul. I’m leaning toward synthetic stocks and stainless steel, but I’m open to suggestions.
Does anyone have a muzzle loader that they love?
I like the design of the break action muzzle loaders (Thompson?) I’ve seen at gun-shows. They seem easier to prime in the field quickly.
I also want to be able to pull the breach plug for a thorough cleaning at the end of the season.
I don’t mind paying for a quality muzzle loader as the one I buy will likely be the one I keep for the long haul. I’m leaning toward synthetic stocks and stainless steel, but I’m open to suggestions.
Does anyone have a muzzle loader that they love?
I'd get stainless. Good luck with it.
#3
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
You will get a ton of different replies but here is mine. If you want to get a gun that will only be a muzzleloader, get an Omega. If you want to get a gun that you can install different barrels, get an Encore. Other manufactures make quality muzzleloaders as well. I just prefer T/C.
#4
Typical Buck
Join Date: Aug 2004
Location: Mesa, Arizona
Posts: 986
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
ORIGINAL: G2 Shooter
You will get a ton of different replies but here is mine. If you want to get a gun that will only be a muzzleloader, get an Optima. If you want to get a gun that you can install different barrels, get an Encore. Other manufactures make quality muzzleloaders as well. I just prefer T/C.
You will get a ton of different replies but here is mine. If you want to get a gun that will only be a muzzleloader, get an Optima. If you want to get a gun that you can install different barrels, get an Encore. Other manufactures make quality muzzleloaders as well. I just prefer T/C.
Maybe you meant Omega not Optima if you are a T/C fan???
#5
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
ORIGINAL: MLKeith
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Maybe you meant Omega not Optima if you are a T/C fan???
ORIGINAL: G2 Shooter
You will get a ton of different replies but here is mine. If you want to get a gun that will only be a muzzleloader, get an Optima. If you want to get a gun that you can install different barrels, get an Encore. Other manufactures make quality muzzleloaders as well. I just prefer T/C.
You will get a ton of different replies but here is mine. If you want to get a gun that will only be a muzzleloader, get an Optima. If you want to get a gun that you can install different barrels, get an Encore. Other manufactures make quality muzzleloaders as well. I just prefer T/C.
Maybe you meant Omega not Optima if you are a T/C fan???
I have no idea what you are talking about MLKeith?!
The edit feature is a wonderful thing.
#6
Fork Horn
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: Saint Robert, MO
Posts: 496
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
ORIGINAL: GroovyMike
I missed TWO shots with the inline muzzle loader I was hunting with this weekend.
I’ll concede that the CVA buckhorn is not by any means a top of the line muzzle loader, and that both shots were at fast moving deer over iron sites - but I have resolved to get something better next year.
I hunted with the CVA Staghorn a few years ago. That is their intro level ($150) model with percussion caps. The buckhorn is the next step up with 208 shotgun primers. Both require a tool to quickly cap the awkward priming nipple. That is a feature I want to avoid. I like the design of the break action muzzle loaders (Thompson?) I’ve seen at gun-shows. They seem easier to prime in the field quickly.
I also want to be able to pull the breach plug for a thorough cleaning at the end of the season.
I don’t mind paying for a quality muzzle loader as the one I buy will likely be the one I keep for the long haul. I’m leaning toward synthetic stocks and stainless steel, but I’m open to suggestions.
Does anyone have a muzzle loader that they love?
I missed TWO shots with the inline muzzle loader I was hunting with this weekend.
I’ll concede that the CVA buckhorn is not by any means a top of the line muzzle loader, and that both shots were at fast moving deer over iron sites - but I have resolved to get something better next year.
I hunted with the CVA Staghorn a few years ago. That is their intro level ($150) model with percussion caps. The buckhorn is the next step up with 208 shotgun primers. Both require a tool to quickly cap the awkward priming nipple. That is a feature I want to avoid. I like the design of the break action muzzle loaders (Thompson?) I’ve seen at gun-shows. They seem easier to prime in the field quickly.
I also want to be able to pull the breach plug for a thorough cleaning at the end of the season.
I don’t mind paying for a quality muzzle loader as the one I buy will likely be the one I keep for the long haul. I’m leaning toward synthetic stocks and stainless steel, but I’m open to suggestions.
Does anyone have a muzzle loader that they love?
#7
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location:
Posts: 5,180
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
buying a new rifle is not going to solve your problem at not being able to hit a running deer. I personally would never take a shot at a deer running or even walking fast. It doesnt matter if you are shooting a custom built muzzleloader, plain jane or even a centerfire rifle, if you dont practice shots like that, you'll never even have a clue to where that bullet will end up when u shoot at a moving target. Keep this in mind, my first deer with a muzzleloader was walking normally and i put the sights on the tip of his chest and at 35 yards that bullet hit him in the middle of the ribs. Think about where that bullet would have gone if he was 80-100 yards out there and squeezed a shot off while he was walking. It gets worse when you are shooting huge chunks of lead. Practice more in real hunting situations, off hand, laying down, sitting, kneeling, shooting off a tree limb. You have to practice it all incase you ever come into a tight situation. Heck if you are 20 feet in a tree stand, set up targets and shoot from up there so you know what your rifle will do up there.
#8
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
ORIGINAL: GroovyMike
I missed TWO shots with the inline muzzle loader I was hunting with this weekend.
I’ll concede that the CVA buckhorn is not by any means a top of the line muzzle loader, and that both shots were at fast moving deer over iron sites - but I have resolved to get something better next year.
I hunted with the CVA Staghorn a few years ago. That is their intro level ($150) model with percussion caps. The buckhorn is the next step up with 208 shotgun primers. Both require a tool to quickly cap the awkward priming nipple. That is a feature I want to avoid. I like the design of the break action muzzle loaders (Thompson?) I’ve seen at gun-shows. They seem easier to prime in the field quickly.
I also want to be able to pull the breach plug for a thorough cleaning at the end of the season.
I don’t mind paying for a quality muzzle loader as the one I buy will likely be the one I keep for the long haul. I’m leaning toward synthetic stocks and stainless steel, but I’m open to suggestions.
Does anyone have a muzzle loader that they love?
I missed TWO shots with the inline muzzle loader I was hunting with this weekend.
I’ll concede that the CVA buckhorn is not by any means a top of the line muzzle loader, and that both shots were at fast moving deer over iron sites - but I have resolved to get something better next year.
I hunted with the CVA Staghorn a few years ago. That is their intro level ($150) model with percussion caps. The buckhorn is the next step up with 208 shotgun primers. Both require a tool to quickly cap the awkward priming nipple. That is a feature I want to avoid. I like the design of the break action muzzle loaders (Thompson?) I’ve seen at gun-shows. They seem easier to prime in the field quickly.
I also want to be able to pull the breach plug for a thorough cleaning at the end of the season.
I don’t mind paying for a quality muzzle loader as the one I buy will likely be the one I keep for the long haul. I’m leaning toward synthetic stocks and stainless steel, but I’m open to suggestions.
Does anyone have a muzzle loader that they love?
Shooting at "fast moving deer over iron sights" is risky enough no matter what brand of rifle your shooting. As for the Buckhorn and the Staghorn, the breech plug does come out for that end of the season cleaning. I sure hope you are pulling that breech plug cleaning every thing real nice and spotless, then re-greasing the plug and putting it back in. I shoot a Staghorn among numerous high dollar inline rifles, it shoots just as good as the others once I get the load worked up.
It sounds like you like everyone else, just wants a fancy new break open muzzleloader. Nothing wrong with that. The Omega, Optima, Pursuit, Sidekick, and others will all provide that. Since you want a rifle for the long haul, I would also look at the stainless steel barrels.
Its a shame you missed those deer... better luck next year.
#10
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location:
Posts: 5,180
RE: In-line muzzle loader recommendations?
ORIGINAL: mayguy
Omega, unless you are only alowed to use conicals. As a rule, Omega's don't shoot conicals too well except possibly Power Belts, which I don't personaly care for.
Omega, unless you are only alowed to use conicals. As a rule, Omega's don't shoot conicals too well except possibly Power Belts, which I don't personaly care for.