TexasFJ
Outdoorsman
Reged: 09/14/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
Anyone have a suggestion for a muzzleloader? I am planning on hunting Fort Hood on the unguided limited range areas. I have an encore rifle, so that is an option. I am looking to spend about $300 on the rifle.
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15327
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
If you already have the Encore, unless you just want to get a different gun, which by the way, there is no harm in doing, then your easiest out is to start working with the Encore and see how it does.
Starting in the next few weeks several of the stores will start their sales and there will be some good deals on Muzzle Loaders, including complete Starter Kits.
I recommend sticking with a 50 cal. as that is the most popular at this time. I definitely would not go with the 45 cal. as most companies are phasing that caliber out.
The 54 and 58 are both good choices, but it can be difficult to find loading supplies. JMO.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
TexasFJ
Outdoorsman
Reged: 09/14/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
Sorry, Contender, not Encore. The barrel and forend are about $300. I am definitely looking at the 50 caliber. I'm not really in a hurry, I just want to make sure I get a gun that will do the job and have some accuracy (I know most are more accurate than I am). The LGS had a Traditions for $180. They also had the new CVA Electra for $425.
|
jdickey
Tracker
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 750
Loc: Waco, Texas
|
|
We've got two pretty good rifles....the Knight Revolution just under $300, and the Thompson Omega for just over $300. Both are good, accurate rifles. We also have the Traditions Pursuit and a CVA, that are both camo and will sell around $265.00. Each of these are in .50 Caliber, and we have one .45 caliber. But, like CH said, the .45 is not a popular caliber!
The Encore would be an excellent choice, since you already have the beginnings! The CVA Optima Elite offers the interchangeable barrels, and is about $150 cheaper than the Thompson.
I shoot a Traditions Lighting, which is an older gun and we do not carry; I have it sighted in at 200 yards. Great gun, it is an in-line, but I'm thinking about trading for a good break-over.
--------------------
Prostaff Member
|
TexasFJ
Outdoorsman
Reged: 09/14/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
Do you work at Academy since it is in your sig line? I went to the Temple store and they didn't have any muzzleloaders on the rack. The omega is really appealing to me. I have liked every T/C product I have seen and used.
|
jdickey
Tracker
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 750
Loc: Waco, Texas
|
|
Yeah... at least I show up there quite a bit... and I do get a paycheck! HA!
Not all the Academy stores carry B/P guns/supplies. We do it mainly because I muzzleload hunt, and know how to sell the products that we carry. B/P is really big in the Louisiana and Georgia Academy stores and a few stores around in Texas.
--------------------
Prostaff Member
|
TexasFJ
Outdoorsman
Reged: 09/14/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
I was back in there yesterday and asked this time. last time I just looked on the gun rack. They have the CVA Wolf starter pack for $239. He told me that they usually carry the Encore as well but didn't have one right now. I looked online at the CVA website and they have a bargain bin. They have an Optima Pro with the camo thumbhole stock for $250. That seems like a pretty good deal. Have to come up with a few more dollars, but I'll post here when I get something. Thanks for your help.
|
Big Daddy K
Pro Tracker
Reged: 09/01/04
Posts: 1064
Loc: Hopkins County
|
|
I shot my traditions yesterday with 50 gns of pyrodex and a wad of TP. Lots of smoke and confedy (sp).
BPs' are neat. I've just got into it and will hunt at least some this year with my traditions in 50.
Why is 45 not as popular? Seems like it would be flatter shooting.
I'm still looking for a good deal on an old school side lock in 50+ or a 36 if I find one.
--------------------
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15327
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
This is just from my experience over the years.
The 45 cal. muzzle loaders have never been as popular with modern hunters as has the 50 for many years.
I worked at a place in Olney Texas for a few years building Allen & Thurber reproduction ML's, the company was Mowery Gun Works.
If I remember correctly, we would build something like 3 50 cals. to every 1 45.
The 45 is okay, I have killed 1 deer with my T/C 45 cal. Hawken.
For many folks however the 50 is just a more popular choice, so most of the manufacturers started slowly phasing out the 45.
I still have a good bit of supplies for mine, but have been considering buy one of the Green Mountain replacement barrels in 50 cal..
The 50 gives the shooter a better selection of bullet weights, and if like me a person is using patched round balls the 50 will perform better on game.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
jdickey
Tracker
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 750
Loc: Waco, Texas
|
|
Quote:
I was back in there yesterday and asked this time. last time I just looked on the gun rack. They have the CVA Wolf starter pack for $239. He told me that they usually carry the Encore as well but didn't have one right now. I looked online at the CVA website and they have a bargain bin. They have an Optima Pro with the camo thumbhole stock for $250. That seems like a pretty good deal. Have to come up with a few more dollars, but I'll post here when I get something. Thanks for your help.
Keep in mind that the CVA Wolf and the Optima Pro are two totally different guns! The Wolf does not offer interchangeable barrels. I've shot the Optima Pro with a .270 barrel on it when we filmed our show; it was a great shooting gun. I believe it also offers 18 different barrels including the .50 cal.
--------------------
Prostaff Member
|
TexasFJ
Outdoorsman
Reged: 09/14/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
That is why I thought it may be a better deal. Plus, I like the thumbhole stock better.
Any thoughts on caliber? Some research states that the .45 will be better for deer sized game, but then some say that it is being phased out. There are more bullet options for the .50, but I am hunting one type of animal (central Texas deer) and I am sure I can find a load that will work. But if I can't find bullets in a couple of years, that won't work either.
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15327
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
You didn't direct this at me, but from experience over the past 5 years or so, go with the 50.
There is not anywhere near the selection of bullets and equipment for the 45 as there is the 50 and it seems to get smaller every year.
The 45 will work, but if you get really interested in the sport and decide to go for elk and such, the 50 will be better and in some cases possibly legal.
Also on a large feral hog 200+ pounds or so, I feel that the 50 is going to give better performance. JMO.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
TexasFJ
Outdoorsman
Reged: 09/14/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
I directed it at anyone that has some experience, and Crazyhorse, I have read many of your posts on many subjects and respect your opinion. I don't see elk in my future, if I do it will be centerfire. There is an outside chance that I will hunt some hogs with the muzzleloader as there are hogs moving into the Fort Hood areas that I will have access to. I do think that the .50 is the way to go. I sure don't want to turn around two seasons from now and not have any components available. Thanks again for your help.
|
Crazyhorse
THF Celebrity
Reged: 11/05/04
Posts: 15327
Loc: Azle, Texas
|
|
Just wanted to make sure that you had the information you needed.
Muzzle loaders are fun to shoot and will kill game.
I like the 45, but because of public opinion, it is not that popular and it can be a pain finding supplies.
The 50 is going to do everything you want it to and you will be satisfied with the results.
Best of Luck on your hunts and post some pictures of your kills.
--------------------
Being Mentally Absent is not a Bad thing. Charter Member THF-OFC .
www.shoestringsafaris.com
|
jdickey
Tracker
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 750
Loc: Waco, Texas
|
|
I think you'll be more than surprised as to how well that gun will shoot. Keep it clean and you'll be happy with what you bought. And... who knows.... you just may get your shot at an elk someday....!
--------------------
Prostaff Member
|
TexasFJ
Outdoorsman
Reged: 09/14/06
Posts: 97
Loc: Central Texas
|
|
Well, I had decided that I wanted the T/C Omega. I found an online source that had the black synthetic/stainless Omega for $310o shipped. I was fishing in Corsicana this week so we stopped by Gander Mnt on our way out. They had a Knight Extreme with the black synthetic thumbhole stock and stainless metal in .50 cal for $299. I did a quick search on my blackberry and found that rifle retails at $500 and Cabelas had it for $459. SOLD!! I really like the fit of the stock. I can't wait to get to the range to shoot it. Thanks for all that helped here.
Now for a scope. Gotta do around $200 plus rings and bases. I have a Nikon Buckmaster, a Burris FF II, a weaver on a handgun, so I am thinking Leupold. Thoughts?
|
jdickey
Tracker
Reged: 01/10/07
Posts: 750
Loc: Waco, Texas
|
|
BURRIS FullField II 3-9x50! Nuff said!
--------------------
Prostaff Member
Edited by jdickey (07/12/08 05:17 PM)
|
Ag81
Light Foot
Reged: 04/24/07
Posts: 26
|
|
I have a Savage ML-10 with an Accutrigger. You'll spend a couple of hundred more for it, but it uses either smokeless powder or black powder and is incredibly accurate.
Not worth the price if you're only going to get to use it one trip per year though!
|
Previous
Index
Next
Threaded
Edit
Reply
Quote
