APEX
The APEX is a very nice rifle, the only problem was it didn't have a ramrod, this was a .300 Win Mag. The rifle was remarkable light, the frame was much smaller than I expected. The rifle felt good in the hands, and the ambidextrous stock had a very high comb, which would be about perfect for a scope. It would be very tough to mount sights high enough to compensate, if somone was looking to do that.
There were a couple things I didn't care for on the rifle, but these were only cosmetic in nature. First the black lettered "APEX" set into the sides of the frame. I think it would have looked much better with no lettering at all on the sides of the frame. Second was the smoooth black stock's double cheek piece. The oils from your hands and cheek are very visable after handling.
What I did like was the molded in grip pieces in both the stock and forend were very functional. The Bergara barrel had CVA Norcross, GA on the barrel, NO MENTION OF SPAIN! I don't know if that means anything, or if it is just a marketing move? The fit and finish looked very nice and is by far the nicest looking and feeling rifle they have ever made IMO.
VORTEK
Nice looking and handling rifle. This rifle has an alloy frame that is fashioned a lot like the Triumph. Fluted barrel with the typical Made In Spain by Ardessa stamped on it. The barrel is ported, which I personally think is about the most worthless thing you can do to a muzzleloader barrel. Why Traditions thinks these rifles need to be ported is beyond me. The locking lug when opened has no visable welds along its perimeter. After contorting the rifle around, I could see there was a slot cut into the length of the lug on the bottom, and the welds have to be on the inside of that. This was a very inovative idea IMO, and leaves no welds to grind off or worry about when locked up. This rifle also uses the "Accelerator" breech plug like the Pursuit II. The right side of the frame had a "VORTEK" stamp with a skull and horns of a buck. HMMM, wonder where they got that idea? Bone Collector, maybe? :lol:
BONE COLLECTOR
This is just a shorter stocked Triumph with a lighter hammer spring and a hammer spur extension. The rest of the differences are merely cosmetic IMO, the rubber thingies in the stock and the black Weathershield.
The hammer spur extension is a very nice addition to this rifle. I am sure the hammer spring had to be lightened to compensate for the momentum the extra weight causes.
Nice rifle, but the shorter stock would not cut it for me. I love a 14 1/4" pull, at least.
The APEX is a very nice rifle, the only problem was it didn't have a ramrod, this was a .300 Win Mag. The rifle was remarkable light, the frame was much smaller than I expected. The rifle felt good in the hands, and the ambidextrous stock had a very high comb, which would be about perfect for a scope. It would be very tough to mount sights high enough to compensate, if somone was looking to do that.
There were a couple things I didn't care for on the rifle, but these were only cosmetic in nature. First the black lettered "APEX" set into the sides of the frame. I think it would have looked much better with no lettering at all on the sides of the frame. Second was the smoooth black stock's double cheek piece. The oils from your hands and cheek are very visable after handling.
What I did like was the molded in grip pieces in both the stock and forend were very functional. The Bergara barrel had CVA Norcross, GA on the barrel, NO MENTION OF SPAIN! I don't know if that means anything, or if it is just a marketing move? The fit and finish looked very nice and is by far the nicest looking and feeling rifle they have ever made IMO.
VORTEK
Nice looking and handling rifle. This rifle has an alloy frame that is fashioned a lot like the Triumph. Fluted barrel with the typical Made In Spain by Ardessa stamped on it. The barrel is ported, which I personally think is about the most worthless thing you can do to a muzzleloader barrel. Why Traditions thinks these rifles need to be ported is beyond me. The locking lug when opened has no visable welds along its perimeter. After contorting the rifle around, I could see there was a slot cut into the length of the lug on the bottom, and the welds have to be on the inside of that. This was a very inovative idea IMO, and leaves no welds to grind off or worry about when locked up. This rifle also uses the "Accelerator" breech plug like the Pursuit II. The right side of the frame had a "VORTEK" stamp with a skull and horns of a buck. HMMM, wonder where they got that idea? Bone Collector, maybe? :lol:
BONE COLLECTOR
This is just a shorter stocked Triumph with a lighter hammer spring and a hammer spur extension. The rest of the differences are merely cosmetic IMO, the rubber thingies in the stock and the black Weathershield.
The hammer spur extension is a very nice addition to this rifle. I am sure the hammer spring had to be lightened to compensate for the momentum the extra weight causes.
Nice rifle, but the shorter stock would not cut it for me. I love a 14 1/4" pull, at least.
