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.45 or .50 caliber?

mdwsthntr

mdwsthntr

New Member
I'm posting this question for my cousin because I hunt primarily with the bow and could not answer his muzzleloading questions. He wants to get a new muzzleloader and has narrowed it down to either a T/C Encore or a Remington 700; what do you guys think? Also, would you go with a .45 or a .50 caliber. Sorry for the long question; appreciate any help you offer.
 
Both of those guns are great guns, I would take either one...Probably the Thompson Center, I dont really know why though...If Knight were included, that would definately be what I would take.
.45 or .50? I would take .50, it has a little more knockdown power, and you can also hunt a little bit bigger game with it. I know the velocities of the .45 are better, but .50 is just a hair more reliable in my eyes...Someone else might see different.
 
I'm in the market for a muzzleloader as well and almost everyone I have talked too say by the best, a knight, don't even mess with anything else. If your cousin is anywhere close to Centerville, Iowa the hometown of knight Rifles, they have a store next to the factory where they sell muzzleloaders that they have shoot or where sent back to the factory, at a reduced price. I'm still up in the air myself on weather to get a 45 or 50, might just have to buy one of each.
 
Id agree on getting a 50 cal.I like the added knockdown power the 50 gives you and at most muzzleloading hunting ranges the velocity difference isnt gonna matter that much (under 100 yrds)Id take the Remington myself but thats cause Ive never seen a encore and one of my buddies had a Remington, it was a real nice gun.But like everyone else said, I think Knight makes about the best and they got muzzleloaders for every price range.
 
The T/C's are great guns, especially if you're interested in buying other barrels for it, one big drawback with an Encore is that they are not as watertight as other guns, the new Knight Omegas can be placed under water for up to a hour and still fire, hell, you can actually stick the damn thing underwater and fire it up to 10 minutes later...that's impressive. Not that you'll be shooting underwater but if you hunt late season the snow can be a problem sometime. I'd go with the Remington since they shoot just fine for the yardage you're talking about. If you can get him to, try and talk him into a Knight.
 
You guys hit it right on the head!!!! The Thompson Center Encore is a nice gun but it hasnt been tested like the Knight Disc, Disc Extreme, etc. The Encore or Remington would be good guns but the best is clearly the Knight muzzleloading line of guns. Tony Knight pioneered the inline system and he knows it better than anyone. The Disc rifles can be UNDER WATER AND EVEN HAVE THE DISC/PRIMER FROZEN OR HIGH HEATED AND WILL SHOOT AFTER THE ONE HOUR WATER TEST OR OTHER DROP, ETC TESTS. That is proof enough for me for that nasty winter and rainy Iowa weather for late season. They have outshot other teams in the past and currently are the number one manufacturer for the Manufacturers Trophy held each year for accuracy. My buddy has the Remington 700ML and he likes it so to each his own. I have owned 3 different muzzleloaders now and the last two have been Knights. Switching after seeing results from other friends who shoot them. I recently upgraded to the Knight Original Disc and boy do I love that gun. Have fun in making your choice. This is just what I would recommend you look seriously into since I see no equal for performance. The Knight factory gives free tours during business hours also so you can see for yourself how they build and test them for quality.

As for the 45 vs 50. The 45 is strictly a Deer gun or for smaller / similar game size animals. If you want to take that gun out for Moose or Elk, the Knight guys have recommended to me that I stick with the 50 for best overall punch and accuracy. The 45 does have good long range abilities and COULD take a moose but the 50 is better suited for everything. Have fun shopping and whatever suits your friend is what he should go with. Hope this is of some help.
 
I went with the 50 just because the bullets are easier to find (Walmart) and all my buddies have 50s so Just in case we can swap stuff. And shane if ya read this bring my speed loaders back..
 
I have a thompson center encore and love it.Had a knight and liked it till I tried the encore.The knight to me are a pain to clean.Dont know anything about the remington.I would buy a t.c.


got my first Iowa tag.zone 3
 
Both will do the job, but the Encore gives so much more versatility. I've yet to shoot one that doesn't drive tacks out to 150yds.
 
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