knight bighorn vs. traditions vortex

[buglebuster]

Just looked at both rifles, and i like them both! Went in leaning toward the bighorn from my online reviews, but now am not sure. The weight difference is huge, the vortex is alot lighter. For pure simplicity the vortex seems better aswell. The price on the bighorn was about $80 cheaper. I am looking for opinions, and first hand testimonies from all you folks on here on which is better, or are they pretty much equal? Thank you!

[helsyeah]

I just went through this same choice over the last few weeks and ended up picking the Bighorn.

My biggest reason was the Traditions Vortek has been known to have issues with inconsistent ignition (maybe due to weak hammer springs, or a poorly build hammer system).

A buddy of mine had issues with a couple Vorteks and eventually went to the extent of honing/polishing the sides of the hammer (to remove friction from any side contact), and adding a counter bend into the hammer spring (so it applied more even pressure to the hammer) to get it to fire reliably.

The Bighorn on the other hand seemed to have very solid reviews. The one potential issue I did find was that it could be iffy to fire fairly hot loads with 209 primers (apparently the primers can come back at you due to the back-pressure and the plunger not being able to hold the primer in place).

This wasn't an issue for me as I will be hunting ML season in Idaho where I can only use percussion caps/musket caps, and have no desire to build up a hot enough load to cause the potential back pressure issue.

Hope some of the above proves helpful for you, and best of luck making a decision!

[Mfowl]

I've had a Bighorn for about 6 years and I've enjoyed shooting it however I have had a hard time being consistent with it. I have shot a lot of bullet/load combos and have only had limited success. Most recently the safety broke on my trigger assembly and I haven't been able to fix it. I put up a post about it on this forum a couple weeks ago. I contacted Knight about it and they said one of their gunsmiths would call me, no one ever did. I haven't had a chance to follow up yet.
On the flip side, I purchased a Traditions Vortek from another member here a few weeks ago, NIB. I have been quite impressed with the gun. Right away I have been shooting good groups with consistency. The gun doesn't seem to like powerbelts but it has shot all saboted bullets I have tried well. My only complaint on this gun is when I remove the breech plug I really have to torque it back and forth and work it out. It seems to force the grease out of the threads when you screw it in.
I have tried hard to be a Knight supporter but this Vortek I have is really making my knight look bad.   

[James E]

I have a Knight disc extreme and my son has a vortek. When I can, I use the vortek.

[ing]

Bighorn! Bighorn! Bighorn!  I replaced the hammer spring on my buddy's Traditions when it was two years old and it still wont fire every time.  He now shoots a Bighorn...

[superdown]

Bighorn!

[TopOfTheFoodChain]

Huge problems with my daughters Vortek. Had to machine a better firing pin to get it to consistently fire as the "upgrades" didn't work. The "better than stainless" cera-cote finish sucks big time. It rusted and is flaking off after just one year, while the inside bore is rust/pit free and mirror finish beautiful. The ramrod turned bright blue instead of black. The gun just got sent back and am waiting on warranty replacement.  It shoots very well but is on track to only last a couple seasons. Overall, I am not impressed at all. Zero out of five stars.

And to qualify my judgement..... I have hunted black powder since I started hunting at 16 years old and am 35 now. I own other Taditions, Winchester, Thompson Center and White muzzleloaders. None of them have ever given me as much grief as the Traditions Vortek NW Edition.

[teanawayslayer]

Hmmm made in America or made in Spain. I would choose American made. Knight makes a quality product

[kerrdog]

Disk Extreme.

[Gutpile]

For what it's worth a friend of mine missed two elk this year because the vortek didn't fire. I think the problem has been fixed but I'd never trust it again. I have a Knight Wolverine and Bighorn. Absolutely love them.

[Wolfdog2314]

For me it was between the Knight Disk Extreme and the Vortek.

From reading tons of reviews on here and else where I went with the Knight. And I have no regrets.

[bowjunkie]

I spoke with the dealer and the vortex problem has been fixed bought a vortex couple days ago shot 50 rounds through it never a problem

[scottcrb]

I have a knight disc and been great so far. Easy to use and clean.

[LiveandLearn]

I have the Vortek and love mine. I know that the ignition trouble is out there but I have had mine for several years, put hundreds of rounds through it and its still going strong.

[Drysider]

For the budget conscious, the Bighorn can't be beat, IMO