Like the title states, I'm looking to purchase my first muzzleloader. Im trying to keep it under $500 however I know there are a ton of great guns in that $500 price range. For the record, I'm mainly going to be hunting whitetail in the midwest. I would like to comfortably shoot 150+ yards, my guess is certain MLs do this better than others. So lets hear what everyone likes.
I shoot a CVA that was handed down to me. The think shoots great, no problems at all...well under $500
i have a CVA Wolf that I bought a couple years ago for like $120 on sale at Cabelas, I don't use a scope and have only taken 1 shot over 75 yards as most of my shots are 50 and in. Can't beat it for the cost. Its not the prettiest, but for normal muzzle loader hunting with medium/short range I don't know why I would pay more
Another CVA fan. Get stainless. I have the optima V2. Great gun for the money. Put a scope on it and it really holds a group. And I only shoot 100 grains.
Knight Muzzleloaders are my favorite by far. I also have a couple Thompson Centers and they are very good too.
I am also getting a new muzzleloader this year and i think i'm gonna go with the CVA accura V2. Heard nothing but good things about it!
That's what I have. Mine was around $400. Haven't shot past 100 yards. I was actually shooting it today to make sure it was dialed in. I had them in the kill zone at 100 after some adjustments. I shoot 100 grains of 777 and use a 240 grain Scorpion PT Gold bullet. Just make sure to clean it after every shot and it should shoot well.
If you want a long range inline its hard to go wrong with knight...as said already deadly at longer ranges and made in USA. If you want a bit more of a challenge and a ton of cool go with something a bit more traditional. I been hunting with a flintlock kentucky rifle. Longest successful deer was 137 yards. Here in arkansas a 40 cal is good for deer, pigs and squirrel or one of my brothers uses a 62 cal smoothebore that he shoots roundballs for deer, pigs, and bear and loads with shot for squirrel and turkey.
I shoot a CVA Optima and my son shoots a Wolf. As with any firearm-the load/bullet combo makes the difference. find the one that is comfortable for you to handle, easy to get a sight picture on and then try different combinations of brands of powders, amounts of powders, projectiles and primers.
I shot a cheap CVA for years and it was great! I only muzzle load hunt like 2-3 times a year. It's the last season for me. Late season is an extra week the week before X-mas. No need for a 500-700 gun. I just bought a traditions BuckStalker. You can get it on Sportsmans guide right now on sale for $175 shipped to your door!! Normally like a $240 gun.
