School me on Modern Smokepoles!

[Potshot21]

The opportunity to join my partners family in a muzzleloader hunt has potentially presented itself over the holidays. In my area of Ontario, there has never been a need for one, and as such it is something I’m unfamiliar with. I understand that tech has come quite a ways and the ol’smokepole has become a much more capable armament in the deer woods.

I do a fair bit of hand loading and understand the basic principles and quirks of muzzleloaders. I’ve been looking at Thompson Centers thanks to watching hours of Jim Shockey back in the day, but could use some additional direction as to what brands or models to consider, how to choose a powder/pellet and sabot combo, etc.

Any help is appreciated, looking forward to wading into the new world!

 

[cosmic]

Well - As it stands, T/C has had its fair share of issues, so its unclear whether they will be able to support a muzzleloader business going forward. In the meantime CVA, Traditions, etc, are making some nice kit. A break action, made of stainless steel, with a standard 209 system is the way to go. I shoot a CVA Optima with a variety of 300 gr sabots, using pellets - Pyrodex, 777, and White Hots. The rifle shoots well, with reasonable groups out to 150 y using standard 100 gr equiv. loads. Some sabots group better than others, I've had the best luck with the Hornady SST sabot. I havent bothered to drink the Blackhorn Kool-Aid.
There are lots of used muzzleloaders on the market, I guess folks lose interest in them. I wouldnt hesitate buying used, as long as the bore and breech face are clean.

 

[toxic]

I shoot a CVA that came with a Bergara barrel. It shoots really well with 200 yard shots totally feasible as long as you know your drop.

For powder if you can find it, Blackhorn 209 is the way to go. It's the cleanest burning muzzleloader powder out there. With traditional BP or even most of the substitutes, you're cleaning after pretty much every shot. That might not sound like a big deal in a hunting rifle but you also want to clean it fairly quickly after the shot (like same or next day) or that residue will start absorbing moisture. Blackhorn doesn't do that and doesn't require any special cleaning - just use your same cleaning technique as for a centrefire rifle. So if you're more focused on getting a deer cool and then processed when you get home, you can leave the gun cleaning for a couple days. With the CVA you may need to buy the breach plug made for Blackhorn (I had to for mine).

For bullets, I've had the best success with 250 grain Barnes T-EZ expander bullets. They fit very tight in my CVA which isn't super easy to load, but the accuracy is well worth it. It also does a great job on whitetails.

 

[303EppsFan]

I shoot a Savage 10MLII, a smokeless muzzle loader, they can be pricey used. I bought my son a TC Omega, used. It's a quality firearm and is unlikely, in my opinion to require service unless badly abused. It's quite accurate and he has successfully taken deer our to 187 yards employing 250 gr SST and Hornady sabots with 2 ,50 gr Pyrodex pellets.

 

[Jay]

I have a CVA Optima and my wife has the Wolf and we use BlackHorn209 powder with Hornady XTP 240 grain hollow point projectiles.

I would recommend the Optima if only because Cabela's has it on sale right now for $399.98 with free shipping. Hard to beat that.
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