So I need to pickup an inexpensive ML...

[FrontierGander]

Cva optima or cva wolf. One of the easiest shooting guns you can buy today.

 

[FrontierGander]

And they’re back in production if a guy wants a new one.

Thompson/Center® Triumph Muzzleloader - Nitride Barrel and Composite Stock - .50 Caliber - 2274R

Thompson/Center® Triumph Rifle - .50 Cal Break-Action Muzzleloader, Black w/ Nitride Treated Barrel. Best Prices, Free Shipping, Expert Advice!

muzzle-loaders.com

$750 for the triump? They are dreaming.

Modern muzzleloading is pricing itself outta business.

 

[ElDiablito]

$750 for the triump? They are dreaming.

Modern muzzleloading is pricing itself outta business.

Everything is going up.

Questions is, do you want made in Spain or made in America? For that price, though, I’d jump up to made in America Woodman Arms.

 

[FrontierGander]

The only muzzleloader I'm looking at lately is a kibler. I'm happy with my spain hawken rifles that I currently own.

 

[Jimbee]

In my opinion and experience with muzzleloaders there is zero correlation between price and accuracy. I'd find a cheap used wolf or whatever. As long as the bore is somewhat shiny, I'd give it a try.

 

[ElDiablito]

The only muzzleloader I'm looking at lately is a kibler. I'm happy with my spain hawken rifles that I currently own.

Yeah, those Kiblers are affordable. Lol

J.K. Hawken Rifle Kit +$250 for Lock

Wait Times TBD 1-3 Months - we will update as soon as we know. We plan to begin shipping the first orders in early November. Within a few days after ordering, you will receive an email with payment instructions for your lock Not paying in full but want to reserve your kit? Select EITHER $750 or...

kiblerslongrifles.com

 

[FrontierGander]

Yeah, those Kiblers are affordable. Lol

J.K. Hawken Rifle Kit +$250 for Lock

Wait Times TBD 1-3 Months - we will update as soon as we know. We plan to begin shipping the first orders in early November. Within a few days after ordering, you will receive an email with payment instructions for your lock Not paying in full but want to reserve your kit? Select EITHER $750 or...

kiblerslongrifles.com

I was really surprised! 1525 for the hawken. Cheaper than a Pedersoli and American made.

 

[Robobiss]

IMO, having handled the wolf and owning an optima, I think for the little extra you’re spending on the optima you’re getting a much better and higher quality gun. The wolf truly is the budget model.

 

[FrontierGander]

IMO, having handled the wolf and owning an optima, I think for the little extra you’re spending on the optima you’re getting a much better and higher quality gun. The wolf truly is the budget model.

They've updated them recently. New stock design. The stainless wolf is a much nicer set up than the blued version.

 

[Robobiss]

They've updated them recently. New stock design. The stainless wolf is a much nicer set up than the blued version.

Maybe I’m picky, but the biggest thing I hate is how you open the breach with the wolf vs the optima. The optima is so much better/smoother that it makes the wolf feel like a cheap POS to me in comparison.

They may shoot the same, functionally they may be not much different. But for that fact alone I don’t have much love for the wolf in comparison.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

Gotcha. I went with the MRX, got a good deal at $450 I think. Figuring out a load was easy enough, only advice would be stay away from Powerbelts if Nilgai is on the menu. Depending on your dates/location you are more than welcome to borrow mine if you like.

Just picked up the savage 220 shotgun for a Jan TX hunt I drew, haven’t got a chance to shoot it yet but excited at the prospect of a 200 yard slug gun.

You got the 23rd by chance? Apparently they hand out tags to everyone, if so you'd be the 5th person on forums that has the same dates as me. I think we should all get together and have a party at this point. Lol

 

[elkivory]

Normally I'd be all over used, but honestly I don't believe I have enough knowledge of them to properly assess a used ML. I may trust a well known forum member but probably not a pawn shop.

I bought a new old stock Omega at Nagel's in San Antonio in the last year. They have a few Knights that are new old stock now. I don't know anything about the knights but might be worth the research. I was in there today and the knights are in the used gun room. The Omega I bought was new in the box with manual and all that comes with it. You can see what they have online by searching muzzleloader.

 

[waspocrew]

I don't think I'd be buying a used muzzy - maintenance is paramount with a muzzleloader. I would imagine most being offloaded to pawn shops or cabelas/bass pro haven't been properly maintained.

I'd buy new.

It's been a while since I've been in the muzzleloading game, but my CVA Optima V2 never gave me any fits while I had it.

 

[ElDiablito]

I don't think I'd be buying a used muzzy - maintenance is paramount with a muzzleloader. I would imagine most being offloaded to pawn shops or cabelas/bass pro haven't been properly maintained.

I wouldnt hesitate. I’ve bought dozens of used. I’d certainly inspect the bore if possible but I’ve had some with really rough bores shoot very well (they’re just a bit harder to get completely clean). The last Omega I picked up on consignment at a gun shop was mint.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I bought a new old stock Omega at Nagel's in San Antonio in the last year. They have a few Knights that are new old stock now. I don't know anything about the knights but might be worth the research. I was in there today and the knights are in the used gun room. The Omega I bought was new in the box with manual and all that comes with it. You can see what they have online by searching muzzleloader.

That's a hot tip, thank you.

 

[HairyScandinavian]

I appreciate all the help from everyone, I don't know why I got stuck with the CVA's but I guess my mind just understood them and looking for simple startup though I'm sure I'll develop preferences later. I ended up stretching for the Accura for $485 with iron sights. I'll shoot pellets for this hunt upcoming, but it will come with the breech plug for BH209 as well as the standard plug so I'll be ready if I were to draw another hunt. I'll fit this with an EGW pic rail and probably throw my compact NF SHV on there as it's already all setup in rings. If I were to draw a NW hunt I can revert back to irons.

I'm planning to sight in with two of the Triple Seven 50/50 pellets and then test two of the 50/60 pellets and eventually try three of the 50/50 pellets to see how they all do. I do have an Athlon Rangecraft and I'm assuming it can capture the velocity.

I'm looking at the Thor projectiles, 300gr and 250gr. Any other recommendations for heavy elk-sized game?

 

[CMF]

If I were to draw a NW hunt I can revert back to irons.

I'm looking at the Thor projectiles, 300gr and 250gr. Any other recommendations for heavy elk-sized game?

Remember, if you want a globe front, you'll need a new rear.

The Powerbelt ELR 330 shoots equally as good as the Thor 300's in mine. We've only hunted with the elr so far and have killed one elk that didn't go more than 100yds, but no blood. Bullet recovered from the offside shoulder.

 

[ElDiablito]

I do have an Athlon Rangecraft and I'm assuming it can capture the velocity.

It will.

velocity.

I'm looking at the Thor projectiles, 300gr and 250gr. Any other recommendations for heavy elk-sized game?

The 250 gr Thor is too light for elk. It’s a good deer bullet. I’d recommend 300+ gr bullets. The Thor, a heavy lead conical (420-600 gr), Federal 350 gr BOR Lock or a proven controlled expansion saboted bullet (if legal) is the best choice for elk sized game.

 

[KnightExtreme]

Maybe this;

.50 cal 275gr Ballistic Extreme | 12-Pack

Jacketed Ballistic Extreme .50 caliber w/sabot Bullet diameter .451 275gr Box count: 12 Sabots included

parkerproductionsinc.com

Or;

.50 cal 300gr Ballistic Extreme | 12-Pack

Jacketed Ballistic Extreme .50 caliber w/sabot Bullet diameter .451 300gr Box count: 12 Sabots included

parkerproductionsinc.com

wuld be my choice...
Known Muzzleloader Bullets...

 

[ElDiablito]

Maybe this;

.50 cal 275gr Ballistic Extreme | 12-Pack

Jacketed Ballistic Extreme .50 caliber w/sabot Bullet diameter .451 275gr Box count: 12 Sabots included

parkerproductionsinc.com

Or;

.50 cal 300gr Ballistic Extreme | 12-Pack

Jacketed Ballistic Extreme .50 caliber w/sabot Bullet diameter .451 300gr Box count: 12 Sabots included

parkerproductionsinc.com

wuld be my choice...
Known Muzzleloader Bullets...

The BEs shoot great but are not suitable for elk. Too frangible. They make pretty good deer bullets, IMO.