hi all .

i was considering buying a muzzleloader this year and would like some input on what your opinions are on a good ....(reasonably) priced gun?

and here's what I got... this is my review I posted on BasPro.com on the CVA Wolf I bought last Spring. It is listed at $149, and I think they have a strter kit with all the stuff you'd need in a possibles bag as well... This is just what I got, and I'm happy with it for the price. There are plenty of really good smokepoles out there, just depends on how much you want to spend. I'lll be taking it out for the antlerless season next weekend.:D

Great gun ata great price, December 11, 2006
By BobR (http://reviews-cdn.basspro.com/2010/BobR/profile.htm) from Southern Illinois http://reviews-cdn.basspro.com/basspro/include/more_reviews_icon.gif</IMG> (http://reviews-cdn.basspro.com/2010/BobR/profile.htm) (read all my reviews) (http://reviews-cdn.basspro.com/2010/BobR/profile.htm)



"I had some gift cards, and wanted an entry level ML. I brought home the Wolf, and have since put about 100 rounds through it. I find the the Power Belts do not shoot as well as a 240 gr. sabot bullet for me. (Maybe the Premiums are better? ) I use 100 gr of pyrodex pellets. Never shot a "magnum" load out of it. Don't think it's necessary. I cut 1 hole with the 1st 3 shots out of the gun at 25 yards. First deer I shot was at 50 yards, and he dropped in his tracks. The fiber optic sights are very bright. I stripped out one of the rear sight screws, and CVA sent another one straight out no questions asked. So customer service is tops in my book as well. If you want a good utility ML at a good price, the Wolf will suit your needs. Makes a great "brush" gun due to it's short length as well, easy to carry around. Only upgrade would be a better ramrod. Treat it easy, or it may bend."

i was looking at that and also the remmington genesis. Does anyone know anything about the remmington?

Booyah-

The CVA Optima 209 break-over is a great muzzleloader and affordable. A hunting buddy of mine has one in the nickel finish and loves it. I'd definately recommend a break-over action muzzleloader. They are much easier to clean. Traditions also carries an affordable line of break-over action muzzleloaders as does H&R/New England Arms. I'd also make sure you purchase a muzzleloader that primes with a 209 primer. 209 burns MUCH hotter than no. 11 percussion or musket caps. That means less misfires.

Bob is right on the money with powder charge. Unless you are shooting out to 200 yards you only need a 100 grain charge. Just from experience too...shoot triple 777 pellets...they burn cleaner and are easier to load than Pyrodex. As Bob mentioned, play around with different bullets to see which best performs out of your gun.

Finally, just a couple of muzzleloading tips:

1) Make sure you clean your gun after firing...even if you just fire it once. Black powder substitutes (i.e. Pyrodex, Triple 7) are highly corrosive and will pit your barrel if left unclean...I learned the hard way on this one!

2) If you are hunting in the cold leave your muzzle loader in your vehicle overnight. If you bring it in the warm house at night and then bring it out to your cold truck before you hunt there is a chance that the temperature change can cause condensation in the barrel which can lead to a misfire...I learned the hard way on this one too!

3) The first time you load your gun take a knife and scratch a line on your ramrod at the end of the barrel. You can use this as a reference later if you cannot remember if your gun is loaded or not...prevents double loading.

4) If you do not shoot your gun after a days hunt make sure you fire the bullet out into a safe place before putting it in the case to bring home. I once forgot to do this and later had to pull the bullet out with a "puller". That wasn't much fun.

Good luck!

Joe H.

Booyah-

4) If you do not shoot your gun after a days hunt make sure you fire the bullet out into a safe place before putting it in the case to bring home. I once forgot to do this and later had to pull the bullet out with a "puller". That wasn't much fun.

Good luck!

Joe H.

Joe, you have a break open like me? You never need a bullet puller, unscrew the breech plug and push it through...:p And remember it isn't loaded unless it's primed. If I plan on hunting the next day I just leave the charge in...

GREAT TIPS on maintnance, care and watching for condensation.

I'm gonna try the 777 my next trip to the range...

Bob-

Yes, I have a T/C Encore .50. When that happened to me I was using my old Springfield Hawken where the breech isn't accessible...thus I had to pull the ball. I should have mentioned that. You don't have those kind of problems with the break-open...or any of the in-lines as far as that goes. Like you said, just unscrew the breech plug and push it out.

After shooting Pyrodex for almost 20 years I tried the Triple 7 last year and found that the it burns cleaner and doesn't stink like sulfur near as bad. I'd like to try that Jim Shockey's Gold too (have you heard of it?). Supposedly some guy testing it has fired over 1,000 shots w/o cleaning his muzzleloader.

Joe

Bob-

I'd like to try that Jim Shockey's Gold too (have you heard of it?). Supposedly some guy testing it has fired over 1,000 shots w/o cleaning his muzzleloader.

Joe

If that's the case I want to try that too. Jim S. also pushes Powerbelts, which I don't really like for numerous reasons. I haven't shot the premiums, but they are more than a $1 a bullet. I like the XTP Sabots. At least outta my gun...

thanks so much for the help guys. i don't know much about muzzleloaders but i figure i'd like to get into it since its closer to a actual hi-power rifle wich i'm used to rather than a shotgun an slug lol.

never was real keen on them, just my opinion i guess. but i like sumthing that can reach out there an touch sumthing if i have the chance:).

I still haven't decided on wich gun i'm going to get but atleast now i have some choices an input.. thanks again guys.

Hi guys
I am new to this forum, but I have been using only a smokepole since 93.
I started out using a Knight. It was a great gun at the time.
Then I switched to a T/C Omega 3 years ago & love it.
The Encore's are a great gun too. I have 4 good friends who like theirs.

BUT T/C is also coming out with a new gun.
http://www.tcarms.com/firearms/triumph.php

From what I have read & seen. This may be the best bet.
I would differently check it out


Also I have read a few bad things about Jim Shockey powder.
I is not as good as 777 or Pyrodex

I would strongly suggest using pellets too.
I switched to them 2 years ago & I will never HUNT with lose powder again.

Also I have read a few bad things about Jim Shockey powder.
I is not as good as 777 or Pyrodex

I would strongly suggest using pellets too.
I switched to them 2 years ago & I will never HUNT with lose powder again.

Hey Lynn, could you expand on the Shockey powder issue? What are the cons?

I don't like the bullets he pushes because they just dont hold tight groups, very inconsistant (at least for me and my weapon), and they don't seem to hold together very well, a lot of fragmentation. I can get more bullets and better performance at a significantly cheaper price with the XTP's.

I too use the pyro pellets, and man do they make life easier.

Booyah-

The CVA Optima 209 break-over is a great muzzleloader and affordable. A hunting buddy of mine has one in the nickel finish and loves it. I'd definately recommend a break-over action muzzleloader. They are much easier to clean. Traditions also carries an affordable line of break-over action muzzleloaders as does H&R/New England Arms. I'd also make sure you purchase a muzzleloader that primes with a 209 primer. 209 burns MUCH hotter than no. 11 percussion or musket caps. That means less misfires.

Bob is right on the money with powder charge. Unless you are shooting out to 200 yards you only need a 100 grain charge. Just from experience too...shoot triple 777 pellets...they burn cleaner and are easier to load than Pyrodex. As Bob mentioned, play around with different bullets to see which best performs out of your gun.

Finally, just a couple of muzzleloading tips:

1) Make sure you clean your gun after firing...even if you just fire it once. Black powder substitutes (i.e. Pyrodex, Triple 7) are highly corrosive and will pit your barrel if left unclean...I learned the hard way on this one!

2) If you are hunting in the cold leave your muzzle loader in your vehicle overnight. If you bring it in the warm house at night and then bring it out to your cold truck before you hunt there is a chance that the temperature change can cause condensation in the barrel which can lead to a misfire...I learned the hard way on this one too!

3) The first time you load your gun take a knife and scratch a line on your ramrod at the end of the barrel. You can use this as a reference later if you cannot remember if your gun is loaded or not...prevents double loading.

4) If you do not shoot your gun after a days hunt make sure you fire the bullet out into a safe place before putting it in the case to bring home. I once forgot to do this and later had to pull the bullet out with a "puller". That wasn't much fun.

Good luck!

Joe H.

i have to agree, the cva 209 is awesome. i shoot the the .45 cal , a 195 grain powerbelt bullet with 150 gr. of powder. takes any animal easy at 150 yards.

Bob
I read a lot about muzzleloading & try to keep up on the new things out there.
Only going off what I have read, Jim's powder is poorly packaged.
The pellets are not consistent or have pieces break or crumble off.
I have read this on a couple of muzzleloading forums.
Jim's powder is marketed to be the least fouling powder out there, & from what I have read it is that.
BUT it is not one of the most consistent burning or packaged powders available.
Consistence is the key to good muzzleloading.
Keep everything the same every time that you can. That will get you the best & most reliable groups.

It is not about being easy. ;)