Which Muzzleloaders?

[greymule]

I have heard nothing of the muzzleloaders made in Spain that were not safe.
I have a CVA Optima that was purchased in 2004 that has given good service.


Greymule

[skeeter@ccia.com]

I would check local laws on what you can use and not use before buying any. Sounds like some good advice given. Here in W. Pa, use of the flint is where you can still gather more days in the woods but at least they are gettin with the program and let us use inlines in other seasons that is. So I can say what to stay away from. I only picked this one up because at the time the price was right but the money I spent on it I should of added to and purchased a better one. I am sorry I purchased a Traditions Yukon inline. That is one I would stay away from. The ramrod isn't even long enough to load it without adding extensions after you remove it from the gun to load...fiber optic sights have fallen off before too...just the fiber part. Spend those extra few dollars now or even save for a while longer and get one you will be happy with and not have to sell as used to buy another one in the future. I did that with my TC 54 many deer, whistle pigs ago and wouldn't part with it for anything but am saving now for a better inline..I am also learning from your post....spend it now or spend more later.

[jon lynn]

Thanks for the input everyone, sorry I didn’t reply sooner. But yet another financial crunch came my way, and I couldn’t do the muzzleloader this year.

But maybe next year I can do an Omega with a top notch scope. I literally have a coffee can I am stuffing bills in to every chance I get. I even will do the ramen noodles and macaroni & cheese thing for a few weeks (as with most of us, it wouldn’t be the first time) as needed.


Jon

[muskrat30]

If your able to inspect it a lightly used one after Christmas is a good option. Just be careful with the sight unseen M-L purchases, rust can be an issue if not cared for.

[.50 cal]

I bought a cva bobcat new at walmart for $50. It shoots well enough I bought 3 more and gave them away as christmas presents.We have shot over 30 deer with them so far.They are side hammer not in-line thou.

[gd357]

I had a CVA Bobcat a long time ago. Very good shooting gun with roundballs and just about any reasonable charge of pyrodex. Not tapped for scope mounts, and quite a few places around home offered shots up to 200 yards or so. Decided to upgrade, but if I was keeping all shots within 125 yards, I wouldn't have needed to do so. Very affordable way to get into muzzleloading. The only issue I had with mine was the need to open the flash hole in the nipple.

gd

[.50 cal]

I changed mine to a musket cap and have not had a problem since.I also drilled and tapped 2 of the ones I gave away.

[model8]

i have a cva pronghorn i got at walmart in 01 and i still use it today never a problem i use remington 209 primers made for inline m-l and pyrodex and cva bullets it shoots great and knocks them down never tracked one more than 100 yeards and that was due to my more than poor shooting at the time other than that 50 yards is all they go i look at walmart for gigles and here they are really not bad 150 for a cva and a black diamond by tc with kit and scope for 200 never heard f any danger reports if used properly but hope u get on and used isnt always bad just check the bore and plug good luck

[FrontierGander]

In 1995 and 1996 CVA had a recall on their rifles for blowing breech plugs out. They've recollected 96-98% of them now. CVA's today are just as safe as any other rifle out there. The guy who writes those articles is a bafoon who is in the pockets of savage, he even sells savages on his website. He's even shot and reviewed CVA's so its pretty obvious to me that his scare tactics are just that, Take away a new shooter from CVA and send it to savage and collect $$ from the sale.

This is the guy who writes those dangerous muzzleloader articles.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T0vB8NipmFo

[T.R.]

I bought my rifle second hand through GunBroker.com.

It's a CVA Optima came with leather sling, Bushnell scope 1.5X - 4.5X, and soft case for $149. plus shipping. It shoots 2 inch groups at 100 yards when I do my part. I've killed three deer with it - all one shot a piece.

CVA Wolf is a good one, too. My brother bought one new as a close out item from Bass Pro about 18 months ago for $139. It shoots quite well.

CVA Elite is their top-of-the-line model. But sometimes a used one goes for less than 175. on GunBroker.

You'll be happiest with a ML that breaks open like a shotgun. They're easist to load the cap and to clean as well. Nearly all the companies build this type now.

CVA and TC are probably the most common within the used market. Check for signs of neglect or abuse before buying.

Sherwood

[Adam Helmer]

jon lynn,

You got good advice from all prior posters. I have two inlines; both are bolt action CVAs. One is .45 caliber and the other is .50 caliber. Both are closed breech bolt actions and wear 3X-9X scopes. I shoot round ball with 50 grain charges for target stuff in Summer and Maxis with 80 and 90 grain charges for hunting. The .45 was a closeout for $119.00 and the .50 was about $200, as I recall. I would recommend CVA bolt inlines to you.

I would discourage you from the cheap T/C Black Diamond inline that is a SLAM fire and the busted caps often burn the shooter. We have five of those POS's for Youth Field Day and we need to convert them to boat anchors. Hammer guns are ok for those who like them, but I prefer CLOSED BOLT rifles for all the right reasons.

Adam