Getting started Muzzleloading

[Tankhead]

Been trying to get into hunting these last few years. I had a pretty good draw last year and I'd like to keep it going. Got 3 out of 4 big game tags I applied for. Bow for deer and elk and rifle for barbary sheep, which starts 2/1/10 - 3/15. No Bighorn sheep tag. Well theres only 4 available. I prefer to hunt bow but got a 300 win mag last year for the other exotic game we have in our state (Ibex, Oryx, Barbary and Bighorn Sheep).

I hear if you include a muzzleloader as one of your three choices for each tag it greatly increases your odds of getting that tag. So I'd like to invest in one. Are there any other good sources for getting started muzzleloading? I've done a few searches this weekend but mostly looking at different models from Savage and Thompson Center. Or can you help me and maybe recommend something? Thanks!

The State's hunting proclamation says,

Muzzleloader - Includes rifles and shotguns in which the charge and projectile are loaded through the muzzle. Only black powder, Pyrodex, or an equivalent substitute may be used. Smokeless powder is illegal. Legal muzzleloading shotguns are those capable of being fired from the shoulder only. Muzzleloaders may use in-line ignition, pelleted powder, sabots, belted bullets, and scopes.

Do the ML's from TC and Savage fit this requirement? I would be just as happy if I filled my first elk tag w/ a ML.

 

[cayuga]

There is a Savage that shoots black powder substitutes I believe. I really do not know a lot about a Savage rifle other then the owners of them love them. The Thompson Cents of course shoot pellets and loose powder also. Because you can use scopes, and you might encounter longer ranges, I would look at the T/C Triumph, Omega, and Knight Disc Extremes. Also CVA makes an Accura with a Bergra barrel that everyone says is a great shooter. Stick with a .50 caliber because of some of the large game you hunt.

Welcome to the forum. Its great to have you here.

 

[quigley]

No better resource than right here. Very knowledgable bunch of guys. There are some great deals right now from TC and CVA. The TC Triumph and CVA Accura are both great shooters and top of the line from their mfgs. I own both and they are both super accurate. Check out cabelas bargain cave. Sometimes they have some killer deals on these guns. CVA does have a new Accura out with a tool free breach plug. Same as the Triumph. My Triumph will produce 1" groups at 100 yards w/100g Pyrodex RS and 250g Shockwave bullet.

 

[GM54-120]

You pretty much cant go wrong with any of the rifles mentioned above.

Watching the Cabelas Bargin Cave has saved me a small fortune. I got my Ovation for $99 and MSRP was over $300. Shoots very well too.

The new CVAs are really gaining in popularity and T/C has the new Impact Rifle at a very reasonable price.

Go handle as many as you can and see what YOU like. Even some of the new Traditions are gaining a fair amount of improvement in quality.

The Savage will shoot both smokeless and BP subs. There is also a BP/sub only version with a 2" longer barrel. It was a Cabelas ONLY model if im not mistaken.

My main suggestion is go with stainless. IMO it by far the best option regardless of brand.

Right now 2 of the hardest to beat offers are the NEW CVA Optima SS camo thumbhole for close to $300 and the Accura SS black for $289.

Accura 50s
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... id=0064081

NEW Optima 50s with quick release breach plug
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... id=0076827

 

[minst7877]

The Savage 10MLII BP that Cabelas had was a one time production run from what I have heard and they are no longer available unless a particular store happens to have one left. I have a 10MLII that I shoot BH209 in while hunting because my state has decreed it so. BH209 works great in this gun and I really like the gun. Just be warned that there is a learning curve that goes along with these and they can be very finicky in what they like to digest.

DC

 

[Tankhead]

Really liking the TC 50 cal. Omega SS w/ Laminate Wood Stock and Leupold Ultimate Slam 3-9x40. Buds has the Omega for $473 delivered and I'm seeing the scope as low as $239. Living in a realtively small rural town I don't have access to trying many out. I'll check the few local gun shops but I don't remember seeing many on my recent visits. Guess I'll head back to the library. Saw some ML books last month checking out the ABC's of Reloading and Lyman's 48th. Was considering reloading when I recently got this Ruger 4" Redhawk 44 mag for back-up. Had a somewhat close call on my last elk hunt when somebody went missing 1/4 mile from where I camped the week before I arrived. Didn't know the exact location until met up w/ search & rescue in rocovery mode 4 days after being camped there. All the hail had pretty much cancelled any rescue efforts the weekend I arrived.

 

[quigley]

Cant go wrong with the Omega. What did someone just get lost from the camp?

 

[hawgslayer]

8)

Can't go wrong with CVA ACCURAS. I have 2 of them, a stainless and blue, and IMHO, they are second to none :!: :!: :!:

 

[GM54-120]

Tankhead

If you are looking at the upper end models ($400+), you might as well take a look at the Knight Long Range Hunter in the classifieds and Green Mountain still has some 54cal brush Guns for only $400 in stainless or blued.


The GMB54 is a 6lb freight train.

 

[Tankhead]

Cant go wrong with the Omega. What did someone just get lost from the camp?

Don't think so. He was the first of his party to arrive. He went for a stroll to check out the area behind his camp. Never seen from again. Had a surgically repaired knee.... never strayed to far from camp. Here is his family's web-site. :cry: http://findmel.webs.com/

 

[Tankhead]

What's up w/ the Electra? Is there a reason it wasn't mentioned w/ the Accura?

 

[frontier gander]

its not legal in many states. I can recommend the new optima though, its a great price and comes with stainless steel barrel and the QRBP.

 

[Tankhead]

Crud. Having a hard time pullin this trigger. I prefer something w/ laminated wood and a SS barrel. But could only really find one out there like that, the Omega. The Omega (8926) I like w/ the grey laminated wood and SS barrel has the falling block action. Is the Triumph (8504) w/ the break open action a better choice? Why? Both the same price ($473). Thanks for all the help.

 

[sabotloader]

Tankhead

The Omega you describe is a work horse gun. The Triumph is an upgraded Omega - using the new technology of the Speed Breech and eas cleaning break open action.

Here are my Omega's - I really do like them...

 

[Tankhead]

Thanks for the help (pics). Those are the best pics I've been able to find of the grey laminate wood. GunsAmerica had a couple but still weren't very good. If I'm buying something sight unseen I like to be sure that's exactly what I'm expecting. If you have another good pic or two .... I'd really appreciate it. Do you think I'd be missing out on something if I went w/ the Omega instead of the Triumph? Thanks again!

 

[Tankhead]

its not legal in many states. I can recommend the new optima though, its a great price and comes with stainless steel barrel and the QRBP.

I called the Game & Fish Department. Fish cop said although it is presently legal they will be re-writing big game statutes next year (2011 season) and can't make any promises. I'm guessing thier gonna make it illegal like other states have.

 

[frontier gander]

if they make the optima illegal... that pretty much makes all inlines illegal. You sure they wernt talking about the Electra ( electronic muzzleloader?)

 

[Tankhead]

Sorry bout that. It is the Electra (electronic ignition muzzle loaders) I called about.

 

[frontier gander]

i figgered thats what u meant lol. I would only buy one just for the target range and just simply to experience it. Like you said, a ton of states already banned it so... thats that.

 

[Tankhead]

I always call my local gun shop before purchasing online. He said someone had inquired about the SS Omega w/ laminate wood stock a few days ago but couldn't find the price he had written down after calling his supplier. Now they are out and his supplier said they won't be receiving any more til the summer.

I put one on my "Wish List" at www.BudsGunShop.com. Two days later they e-mailed me that they had one in stock. There's a few more at www.GunsAmerica.com. Would it be bettere to wait until the summer or get one now? Thanks.

I won't be hunting w/ it til late October if I even draw a tag at all. Results of the draw come out in June.