We are less than 5% of the muzzleloader hunters!

[Adam Helmer]

rattus58,

Great Post! It soulded like me continuing my original post from 2005. You ask great questions and as an old investigator, I think you hit on most of the important points.

The sales of inlines "exploded" about 3 years ago at my local gunshop when the PGC changed the October week-long Primitive (flintlock season) to "Any Muzzleloader." Many newbies flocked to get an inline. They are less tedious to keep shooting, in my view. Compare my CVA, 209-primed , closed bolt .45 caliber to a .50 Hawken flintlock. My CVA is 99.999% reliable compared to a lesser reliability depending on sharpness of the flint, openess of the touchhole, hardness of the frizzen and dampness or rain on the gun. Newbies cannot be bothered for the most part with a flinter as I oberve at my local gun club.

I agree, the Big BOX stores are flooding the market with inexpensive inlines that are hyped with long range, ease of use, reliability, etc., everything a new novice wants in the year 2007.

Be well.

Adam