Traditions Buckstalker first impressions

[53Izzy744]

So this is my first experience with a muzzle loading rifle. I got a Traditions Buckstalker XT package from Cabelas a little while ago and finally got a chance to go try it out in preperation for the upcoming muzzleloader season.

I used hornady sst 250gr bullets over 2 hodgdon 777 pellets and winchester 209 primers. Loading was easy enough once I got over my worry of breaking the ramrod (reviews were saying it was flimsy) but i used a ball starter which made a quick start.

Really impressed! Trigger was nice, and cleaning and loading was not nearly as bad as i thought it would be. I cleaned between each shot.

Sighted in slightly high at 25y and the confirmed later at 100y to be almost dead on. Rest wasnt dead solid but good enough for my liking.

All in all, for the money (399 on sale) this is a pretty good firearm to give you an extra week of the season, or to use in a wmu that doesn't allow normal rifles.

 

[mike ramone]

Cool..I was thinking about getting the same set up from Uxbridge Arms, or Accuracy Plus here in Ontario. I normally hunt deer in WMUs 73 and 60. As you said, you can get extra week or so of tree stand time.

 

[53Izzy744]

Cool..I was thinking about getting the same set up from Uxbridge Arms, or Accuracy Plus here in Ontario. I normally hunt deer in WMUs 73 and 60. As you said, you can get extra week or so of tree stand time.

Exactly! Where I hunt it is usually very dense stuff, so crossbow hunting would not work in that unless i strictly stayed in a stand over looking a clearing.

 

[Vincenzo1675]

I'm actually in the market for a muzzle loader as well. Hopefully in 2025, looking to trade a Remington 783 maybe for it.

 

[snowshoe]

I started out with this model and took several white tails with it. I have since upgraded to the traditions vortek with a 28” carakote ported barrel. The buckstalker is easy to clean but the vortex is even easier. I found the lightweight buckstalker a little rough on my shoulder after surgery, that is why I upgraded.

 

[53Izzy744]

I started out with this model and took several white tails with it. I have since upgraded to the traditions vortek with a 28” carakote ported barrel. The buckstalker is easy to clean but the vortex is even easier. I found the lightweight buckstalker a little rough on my shoulder after surgery, that is why I upgraded.

Interesting to note! I found this very easy to shoot recoil-wise. I use a limb saver on the stock so i can only imagine how nice a heavier gun would be.

How did you find the cerakote with rusting? After a quick wipe down after a snowy hunt i returned to find the buckstalker starting to rust in certain spots the next day. It all looked fine after a good cleaning, but i was still surprised by how quickly the rust formed on it.

 

[snowshoe]

Interesting to note! I found this very easy to shoot recoil-wise. I use a limb saver on the stock so i can only imagine how nice a heavier gun would be.

How did you find the cerakote with rusting? After a quick wipe down after a snowy hunt i returned to find the buckstalker starting to rust in certain spots the next day. It all looked fine after a good cleaning, but i was still surprised by how quickly the rust formed on it.

I have had the vortek for several years and it has stood up very well, there is a couple of very small marks on the barrel at the porting, but you have to look close to see them

 

[mike ramone]

Exactly! Where I hunt it is usually very dense stuff, so crossbow hunting would not work in that unless i strictly stayed in a stand over looking a clearing.

We have 3 treestands set ups in typical Ontario brush with 30-35 yard cleared areas in front of them.. I like my crossbow, but when the critters are at the outside edge of 35yds i wont take a bow-shot..so muzzleloading is a logical option...