I've been thinking over the past 5 years to switch over to muzzy hunting from shotgun season and after some experiences the past 5 days that idea is sealed! I've shot a muzzleloader twice in my life and don't know much about them except what I have read here and there on this site. I'm looking to purchase something that is easy to use and easy to clean and is going to give me awesome performance! I don't need the versatility of a muzzy can switch out barrels I will just be using it for muzzy hunting and muzzy hunting only. Also, if I decide the put a scope on the muzzy what is a good scope that will not cost an arm and a leg but will get the job done? Thanks guys!
JNRBRONC
Well-Known Member
If you want to go with a black powder substitute, you might check out this Black Horn thread.
Or read through the Which new muzzleloader.
Between the two, you should at least have some info ease of cleaning.
Or read through the Which new muzzleloader.
Between the two, you should at least have some info ease of cleaning.
LoessHillsArcher
PMA Member
Lots of good muzzleloaders for sale today, new and used. My favorite was a Knight Wolverine I bought from Blaster but its been passed on to other family. Doesn't need to be a high dollar gun to get excellent performance. I've always shot TCs and the Omega is a great gun for the money. CVA and Knight make good guns too.
As far as scopes a good 3x9 or 4x12 is what we've shot and liked. Then it depends on how much money you want to spend. I've got a Bushnell Banner 4x12 and it was around $100, great clear scope, really happy with it.
I second what JNRBRONC said about the new Blackhorn 209 powder. It makes muzzleloading easy and lot less time consuming. No worries about self life of your powder, cleaning between x amount of shots at the range, etc. Try a few different grain loads with your bullet of choice (we found 110 grains to work the best). Also when shooting this powder make sure to shoot a stronger primer, primers made for muzzleloaders won't do. Something like a CCI or CCI magnum that are made for reloading will burn hot enough for the powder.
Also when looking at bullets the most common ones are Knight/Barnes, Hornady/TC, and Powerbelt. We prefer the Barnes/Knights Spitfire TMZs, a saboted bullet with polymer tip, solid copper for 100% weight retention, and boattail for increased accuracy. Good luck, you'll be tapping into some good hunting during the muzzy seasons!
As far as scopes a good 3x9 or 4x12 is what we've shot and liked. Then it depends on how much money you want to spend. I've got a Bushnell Banner 4x12 and it was around $100, great clear scope, really happy with it.
I second what JNRBRONC said about the new Blackhorn 209 powder. It makes muzzleloading easy and lot less time consuming. No worries about self life of your powder, cleaning between x amount of shots at the range, etc. Try a few different grain loads with your bullet of choice (we found 110 grains to work the best). Also when shooting this powder make sure to shoot a stronger primer, primers made for muzzleloaders won't do. Something like a CCI or CCI magnum that are made for reloading will burn hot enough for the powder.
Also when looking at bullets the most common ones are Knight/Barnes, Hornady/TC, and Powerbelt. We prefer the Barnes/Knights Spitfire TMZs, a saboted bullet with polymer tip, solid copper for 100% weight retention, and boattail for increased accuracy. Good luck, you'll be tapping into some good hunting during the muzzy seasons!
muddy
Well-Known Member
I've always loved my Knights. Currently I'm shooting a Disc Extreme and wouldn't trade it for anything. I put a Burris Fullfield II on it. TC makes a good gun but if you're not wanting an Encore (interchangeable barrels) then maybe the Omega would be good for ya.
Regardless of what you do make sure you get a GOOD scope for it. A mediocre gun will shoot just as good as a higher end gun when in the right hands but a mediocre scope will probably cost you in the end due to fogging or something else.
Pre Christmas there should be some deals out there on a muzzy, that's how I got mine.
Regardless of what you do make sure you get a GOOD scope for it. A mediocre gun will shoot just as good as a higher end gun when in the right hands but a mediocre scope will probably cost you in the end due to fogging or something else.
Pre Christmas there should be some deals out there on a muzzy, that's how I got mine.
jjohnson
Well-Known Member
If money is an issue check out the new CVA Accura. The new Bergara barrels are nice.
If money's not an issue. I'd check out a TC Omega with a stainless barrel and a thumbhole stock. Once you raise that gun you'll know what I mean. They're really all pretty good and a ton of fun to shoot.
If money's not an issue. I'd check out a TC Omega with a stainless barrel and a thumbhole stock. Once you raise that gun you'll know what I mean. They're really all pretty good and a ton of fun to shoot.
Iowabowtech
Active Member
If you're looking for a solid shooter at a good price, the Knight DISC has a tried and true track record. I've been shooting my first generation DISC since the mid-90's and it's never failed me. I like the Barnes bullets also but I shoot the Expander MZ hollow points in front of 100 grains (2 powder pellets) of Hodgdon 777. Deadly recipe. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif
The newer breakdown guns are easier to clean and do other maintenance. If that weighs in heavily, perhaps a TC or a Knight KV1 are options to consider but once again, the price goes up. A good majority of the muzzys sold now are stainless but if there's one thing I'd insist upon it would be that.
The newer breakdown guns are easier to clean and do other maintenance. If that weighs in heavily, perhaps a TC or a Knight KV1 are options to consider but once again, the price goes up. A good majority of the muzzys sold now are stainless but if there's one thing I'd insist upon it would be that.
m_kat
Member
I picked up a stainless knight disk elite in .45 cal for 150 bucks a couple years ago on clearence from bass pro. Best money I've ever spent, its a absolute tack driver. If I could I would rather have a .50 though, supplies are much easier to get a hold of in a pinch and .45 are not legal in some western states. The .45 is a great deer caliber though, every deer I've pulled the trigger on has ended up in the back of my truck.
I'll second the need for a stainless barrel, and also a good scope and solid rings.
I forgot to clean mine after the season last year for quite a while (almost a year). It cleaned up to mirror like in no time, I was impressed, a non stainless barrel would have been ruined.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2h.muzzleloader.htm
This webpage has a ton of good info for the front stuffers.
I'll second the need for a stainless barrel, and also a good scope and solid rings.
I forgot to clean mine after the season last year for quite a while (almost a year). It cleaned up to mirror like in no time, I was impressed, a non stainless barrel would have been ruined.
http://www.chuckhawks.com/index2h.muzzleloader.htm
This webpage has a ton of good info for the front stuffers.
blake
Life Member
I own three Knight Firearms and really like all three of them. Quality firearm, great customer service, and a warranty second to none. I would recommend checking out Knight Rifles before you purchase a muzzleloader.
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Savage smokeless....
150 Class
Well-Known Member
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Quote:</div><div class="ubbcode-body"> I own three Knight Firearms and really like all three of them. Quality firearm, great customer service, and a warranty second to none. I would recommend checking out Knight Rifles before you purchase a muzzleloader. </div></div>
I have two of them, both 50 cal rifles, and I bought the second because of my satisfaction with the 1st. The Knight KP1 or Savage Smokeless would be my next purchase but only to get something new and different from what I already have. If they still made the disc elite, I would highly recommend that. The Disc Extreme, Long Range Hunter and Master Hunter Extreme are great guns that are very similar to my Disc Elite. I would not hesitate to get the KP1 if you wanted to swap barrels. If I ever buy anything but a Knight, it would be the Savage smokeless. Thomson Center makes great guns too but I doubt if I will see one in my arsenal anytime soon.
I have two of them, both 50 cal rifles, and I bought the second because of my satisfaction with the 1st. The Knight KP1 or Savage Smokeless would be my next purchase but only to get something new and different from what I already have. If they still made the disc elite, I would highly recommend that. The Disc Extreme, Long Range Hunter and Master Hunter Extreme are great guns that are very similar to my Disc Elite. I would not hesitate to get the KP1 if you wanted to swap barrels. If I ever buy anything but a Knight, it would be the Savage smokeless. Thomson Center makes great guns too but I doubt if I will see one in my arsenal anytime soon.
G6
Active Member
<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: BW</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Tested zero before this season like always.
Knight MK-85 with 100 grains of 777 and Barnes 250 grain MZ expander saboted bullets at 100 yards. Tasco 3x9 World Class optics.
It is a one shot - one kill machine.
</div></div> Nuff said other than I shoot an old BK92 Knight and it shoots the same only with 110 grains of Pyrodex RS and a 240 gr. Hornady XTP. /forum/images/%%GRAEMLIN_URL%%/cool.gif
Knight MK-85 with 100 grains of 777 and Barnes 250 grain MZ expander saboted bullets at 100 yards. Tasco 3x9 World Class optics.
It is a one shot - one kill machine.
