Which modern muzzleloader?

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wildphil24

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Hi folks,

I hesitated where to post this. But the blackpowder and antique didn't seems like the right place. Modern muzzleloaders (ML) don't use black powder, right?
As you see I know nothing about these guns. I always stayed away from ML, bows and crossbows.

But I've been drawn for a female deer tag and my area only allow ML, bows and crossbows for deers.

So I'm looking for a modern ML. Criterias being:
-easy to load and unload
-affordable price (under 500$)
-caliber .45+
-at least 100m of accurate range
-rugged and rust resistant
-lefty friendly

So what's the easiest ML to load? A gun using primers and powder discs?

Thanks for your time,
Phil
 
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I have a T/C Impact that seems alright. It's nothing fancy but it does the trick. Easy to load, easy to clean up, fairly accurate even with me behind it! I use loose powder mostly, but the pellets are convenient. You can always walk up the powder charge with loose powder to find your best load, where as pellets you can really only change bullets to find the most accurate load.
 
You aren't going to touch a smokeless muzzleloader for $500.
The cheapest smokeless ML will be a savage, and they are now commanding $750 - $1100 depending on condition and version. Then there are also customs but they will run considerably more.

Now there are many decent inlines available for less money, but they aren't safe for smokeless. They use black powder and/or its substitutes.

Just my opinion.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
I have a T/C Impact that seems alright. It's nothing fancy but it does the trick. Easy to load, easy to clean up, fairly accurate even with me behind it! I use loose powder mostly, but the pellets are convenient. You can always walk up the powder charge with loose powder to find your best load, where as pellets you can really only change bullets to find the most accurate load.
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I have a Traditions Tracker 209 and it's good enough. If I have to replace it I'll be looking for a T/C Impact which is better than good enough.
 
there's only a very small specialty niche of modern muzzleloaders that don't use black powder or substitute but your criteria can be met with just about any modern model offered, they will not use smokeless but Blackhorn 209 is a great alternative. I have a custom smokeless muzzleloader and it's a great gun but no where near your budget and not needed for what your trying to do.
 
CVA wolf is a great cheap muzzle loader that shoots lights out.you can but the whole kit for a few hundred bucks
 
I have taken many a deer with my TC Impact, good quality for the money. I use blackhorn 209 powder, great stuff. Its a black powder substitute, easy to use and very clean burning. I recommend you look into it.
 
I have 4 front stuffers. The one I use the most is a traditions buck stalker model. Break action. 209 primer. I use 777 pellets

The most important thing is find someone that's into muzzle loading guns. They're great but there's some safety things that must be done

The cva wolf model always shoots great. I've sighted in over a dozen. However I hate the stock design personally. My buck stalker shoots s 3" group at 100 yards with my load. I admit I never played with it its what I use in all my ml guns. I've taken the 3 biggest bucks I've shot with it. It fits me perfect and I bought it on sale new for $147
 
wildphil24 said:
Seems it would make it. Do you know the differences with a Rem700 ML?
Do you use blackpowder or smokeless in yours?
Does shooting promote corrosion like blackpowder (if I'm right)?
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I'm not familiar with Remington muzzle loaders, sorry. I should clarify when I said loose powder, I meant black powder or substitutes (Pyrodex RS, Triple 7 etc) not smokeless. I mostly use Pyrodex because it's cheap and works for me. I sometimes forget that a smokeless powder ML exists.

Clean up on a ML isn't really bad after you've done it a time or two.
 
The break action ML's with a removable breech plug, and shotgun primers (209) are quite user friendly, and relatively inexpensive - such as the CVA Wolf. Powder usage in muzzleloaders can be confusing - there are three options:

- black powder (very corrosive, because of sulphur)
- substitute black powder, available in powder or pellets Hogdon 777, Pyrodex, Blackhorn 209. etc. (less corrosive)
- smokeless powder, which is modern gunpowder. (not corrosive)

The break action guns like the Wolf are designed to use the substitute black powder, typically in pellets (2 pellets = 100 gr equivalent. 3 pellets is 150 gr equivalent magnum load, if the gun is desiged for it). You still have to be mindful of barrel corrosion with the substitute powders, unless you opt for a stainless barrel model such as the CVA Accura. Going stainless essentially doubles the cost of the gun (Wolf is 250$, Accura is 500$).
I have a carbon steel break action Rossi (150$), and follow the cleaning regimen (hot water and oil), and enjoy shooting it quite a bit. It shoots a 3 inch group at 100y using 777 powder and 300 gr Hornady sabots, and knocks deer right off their feet.
 
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I also have a cva wolf, and like it. No problems yet whatsoever, except the cheap plastic stock makes my hands very cold when holding it for hours out deer hunting.
 
Thank you very much guys.
I'll be shopping for a CVA or TC, camo and stainless if affordable. With Blackhorn209 or 777 pellets.

For a 3 days hunt, do I leave the powder and bullet in the "chamber" removing only the primer for transport and storing?
After the hunt season do I push it out after removing the breech plug?
Keep the bullet and throw away the exposed powder?
 
There is a nice TC (encore I believe) with a custom .458 Brux barrel for sale on OFAH forum and maybe on this forum, I don't remember the member's handle here.

I range tested it last Sunday to help him get it roughed in on zero and evaluate accuracy and it is a legitimate one hole @100 yds ML(he has the target). All the load recipe, bullet types etc, are available.

It would likely make a kick azz 300+ meter ML

If interested I will see if I can help hook you two up.
 
Yes blackhorn 209 is a good product.
I keep it loaded removing the primer for transportation. Then shoot it off at the end of the hunt.
 
saskgunowner101 said:
Shouldn't the question be "How long after I shoot my animal can I wait to clean the ML?".:d
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Hahaha! :p
We'll be two hunters with one tag each to share one gun and one blind. Season is only 3 days long. For a first year I can't be sure we'll fill both tags.

But your question is still a good one. I'd guess the same day, after gutting if possible?
 
wildphil24 said:
Hahaha! :p
We'll be two hunters with one tag each to share one gun and one blind. Season is only 3 days long. For a first year I can't be sure we'll fill both tags.

But your question is still a good one. I'd guess the same day, after gutting if possible?
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I'd make the meat a priority on such a short hunt, and worry about cleaning the rifle when all was said and done after day three. If you're not in a high humidity area, it should be okay.
 
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