muzzleloader questions
 

Thinking of trying an inline next season. I have a couple of questions.
45 or 50 caliber for deer? ( recoil is no problem)
A good reasonable priced very accurate inline probably a break open type.

If you are going to shoot conicals then my choice is a 45... but 50 will be better if you are going to shoot sabots.

Aloha... :cool:

doesn't matter, either will work. Components are more prevalent for the .50 so that may factor into your decision.

gd

madmixerman,

Not sure where you're located, but the last time I was at Cabelas in Wheeling, WV I stopped off at the Gander Mountain in Washington. They had 3 or 4 inlines (209 primer ignition, 50 cal) for around $80-$100. Gun only of course.

I personally prefer my TC flintlock, but I actually bought one of those cheapo's (Traditions) 2 years ago. It shoots pretty darn good and I actually have about $300 in mine with the scope. Yeah I paid twice as much for the glass as I did for the gun. It'll shoot around 1-1.5" at 100 yards with 240 grain Hornady 44 mag XTP sabots and has taken a few deer.

It's mostly a backup if it's raining and I can't bring out my flintlock, but for the money I couldn't pass it up. It shoots as good as my father's Knight disc for about $400 less. I normally wouldn't waist my time on something so cheap, but I figured, what the heck. For $80 I'm not out much...turns out to be a pretty good deal. I did do some major cleaning and work on the trigger and firing pin though. It's not a break open, but I didn't think the extra $300 was worth it for easier cleaning (who needs a speed breach if you use the proper plug grease?)

I ended up buying a CVA for about 200 without glass. Shoot 240gr 44 cal softpoints. Get about 2" at 100 which is fine for me.

For the dollars it isn't bad.

Thats the brand I have in the 50 and going on my third season and have taken many deer with it and love the heck out of it.

Eather will work fine. I have take several deer with a .45 round ball, and any of the conical or saboted bullets will do mre damage.

As you will note in Petey's post, he did work on the triggers. My CVA also needed work on the triggers, and when you take apart peened together components, I guarantee the warranty is voided. So if you want to avoid that, adjustable triggers are a nice feature, but the rifles with that cost more. Stainless is also a nice feature, again you pay more, I went cheap and that is fine for me. I have reworked triggers, different sights, and a rifle I can beat up and not worry about, not like taking scratch built heirloom quality guns afield. I went with a 50 cal. for more punch to kill elk with.

I suggest a .50 cal traditions pursuit with 100 gr of pyrodex, or the same load in a traditions thunder bolt action ($200) with a 3-9x40 scope.
Minihuntur

Hello
I got the urge to get an inline,and went to my favorite sporting goods store for some hands on knowledge.
Without checkingprices,I felt more comfortable with the CVA Wolf.
I bought it,and the only complaint is that the sights are a little'chintzy'.I installed a Bushnell Holosight,and am ready to GO.
I was concerned that Chuck Hawk's website warns that ALL CVA guns have softer steel and looser tolerances.It gives specific instances of actual blowups,with severe injuries.
I feel relatively safe,because I won't be using any charges over 100 grains.
Frank

Not sure what would cause the blowups in these guns if loaded to the safe guidelines given. If there was a manufacturer malfunction they would be off the shelf in short order.

I'd go with 50 (again) more supplies are available. In line or not can depend on where you play to hunt. Some states do not allow in line, 'primitive' only for their ML season and special hunts.
If that isn't an issue, I'd go with a fast twist (29) to take advantage of the accuracy and ballistics of sabot loads.
I'm shooting the Encore because I like other versatility it offers (can convert to rifle, shotgun even handgun). It's its a dedicated ML there are other less expensive options available.

Nulle

That was back in '95 on the recalls and only affected the Inlines, not the sidelocks, Flints or Caps. There were a "few" that made it past the re-call. But they should ? be gone by now. They had problems with one run of the guns.

Best wishes, Bill