muzzleloader help

[tippmann7]

i was thinking about geting a muzzleloader for deer this year but i have no idea about them. what is a good brand/model and what is the range on them?

[sell33]

check out thompson center, about any new one will work for you, i have a cheap cva buckhorn magnum that was 130 dollars with scope and all brand new and it shoots great, and is very accurate. You can find a decent one for pretty cheap, just look around.

O rangewise i would probably keep it under 200.

[andrew cochran]

Range on them is about 150-200 yards. Depending on bullets and powder charges.
Look on here first Sporting Goods Equipment - Fishing, Camping, Hunting, Boating, Marine, & Outdoors Gear & Equipment - Bass Pro Shops go onto hunting then go to black powder guns.

[nathangdad]

Thompson-Center pretty well has the high quality market staked out yet there are other quality guns. I suggest you do some research then, most importantly, arrange to fire a black powder rifle. This will give you some practical experience to decide if you wish to go further.

Note: this type firearm does require more supplies to take to the field than you might think so spend a little time considering if you want to carry around the needed items to shoot the gun.

However, many people really enjoy black powder. Many years ago I had a T-C .50 caliber Hawken and I did like it although I eventually tired of this type shooting.

[pruneemac]

For under $300 the CVA Optima is a good firearm at a great price. I'm pretty comfortable at 150 yards and have shot at the range to 300 yds.
We have to shoot all copper bullets here but Barnes is a great bullet anywhere.

[STITCH]

By far Thompson-Center is one of the best brands out there. I have a Traditions and it is great 209 E Bolt, but I dont think they make them anymore. But Mine is very accruate and can shoot quite aways. But I only feel confortable shooting 100yds or less. Just me not sayin anybody else. Good guns tho. plus you get an extra 2 weeks for a buck!!!

[dgray64]

No matter which one you choose, they are pretty safe an fun. I have a CVA Wolf magnum. If you buy the new style "in-line" type that either has a bolt or breaks like a single barrel shotgun, you will now worry about caps falling off or similar things. YOu determine the kind of powder you want to use, i.e. Goex black powder, Hodgdon pyrodex or 777 in powder or pellets. You can shoot round lead balls cheap with a lubed patch, or you can shoot a standard bullet with a plastic sabot to aid loading.

The new rifles don't kick much and are very accurate and are easy to clean and care for.. Check out Cabelas and check out Ebang.com for black powder arm auctions for less. You will enjoy this sport!!

Dave

[single shot]

Just bought a TC Triumph last year and love the thing. shoots very well and is light. Much easier to lug around or up. You can minimize gear with speed loaders and cappers. Very easy to clean this gun. I shoot American Pioneer loose powder and like it alot. I have had some problems with triple seven pellets in a CVA i owned. It built a ring in the barrel which gets a litle farther up the barrel with each shoot. Gunsmith told be to use a brass brush and pieces of a chore boy stainless steel pad to take it out. That worked but went back to loose powder and no more problems. 150-200 yards is very effective range for todays muzzleloader. If you know someone to show you the ropes there are a few tricks and safety precautions. If you don't know them you will learn them here I'll bet!

Enjoy the smoke - I do

[HAWKEYE50]

I picked up the t/c encore muzzleloader and love it. It cost just under 600.00. So as you can tell, there is a large range in pricing. I don't have the experience with the other brands, this is my first. Look at the inlines. They clean up like a bolt action. Ya just gotta get one.

[NHmsj]

"Muzzleloader" has grown to mean many things today. For some it is just a front loading, single shot "modern" firearm. You know, protected ignition (many times using 209 primers,) pelletized propellants, saboted, copper jacketed bullets, stainless steel rifles often times mounted with very advance optics. Others opt for more traditional equipment - open and exposed sidelock percussion or flintlock ignition, iron sights, loose power, patched roundball and/or lubed conicals etc, etc. Perhaps you have an idea what you want to experience or accomplish with muzzleloading? Is it to extend your deer hunting, or deer bagging, opportunities (nothing wrong in that), or do you wish to experience something a bit more challenging, something just a bit more demanding? Once you know what you want, then you can make an informed and logical choice in a muzzleloading firearm. Bottom line, however, you can't go wrong with a T/C muzzleloader - no matter what "style" you choose to shoot. Also, as has already been advised in this tread, take the time and LEARN what skills muzzleloading will demand from you. It ain't like popping a cartridge into the chamber and simply squeezing it off. To be sure, a muzzleloader is just a tad different than your everyday centerfire.
msj

[jimkim]

Tippman do you have a Mossberg 500 if you do you can their .50cal muzzle loader barrel. I think one can be had for the Remington 870 too.