switchin

[BONE COLLECTOR]

this has probally been asked a 100 times but.. i'm switching to muzzleloader next year for elk. i'll be hunting the westside, what do you suggest i start out with? i'm a poor family man so price is an issue, just want to get started.   thanks   

[HawkenBob]

Check the threads here. There is one just on Wash legal guns. There is a knight wolverine for sale on the classifieds.

After what I posted about cheaper ML's. Id stay away from some of the imports. Allot of guns are made in other countries and sold as CVA and whatnot...

Buy the cheapest, most dependable and safest!

[robodad]

i'm a poor family man

First I would brush up on your family man skills before they leave you in the dust !!

Then I suggest you stay away from the traditional hammer lock or side lock type BP's, I have 2 of them in .50 and .54 and wouldn't give them to you. There is a type of in line (I forget the name) that has a shield that covers the nipple and will keep it dry but to be legal you'll need to drill a small hole it.

I tried the BP thing and will not do it again with the equipment I have so maybe a new one is in my future as well !!!

Good luck with the family !!   

[BONE COLLECTOR]

thanks for the info men. i'm going to have the ol' lady and kids start pickin up beer cans and i should be able to buy a good one by next season.

[Sagedawg]

Knight wolverine can be had for under 200. TC at pawnshops and gunshops can be found for about the same. What kind are you wanting sidelock or inline? You need to have at least 50cal to chase elk and be legal.



  Sage

[Charlie]

thanks for the info men. i'm going to have the ol' lady and kids start pickin up beer cans and i should be able to buy a good one by next season.

[BONE COLLECTOR]

I WAS THINKIN INLINE, BUT THEN AGAIN I DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT ANYTHING RIGHT NOW

[arcticguy57]

Bone Collector, I started hunting with a Knight LK-93 this year and I'm really happy with it.  I have a lot of experience with traditional sidelocks but this little rifle is really impressive.  It's light weight, easy to clean, and I have never had any ignition problems in wet weather.  Also, it's incredibly accurate.  I prefer shooting conicals but even with it's fast barrel, it shoots round balls surprisingly well.  I can also mount a scope on it to really find an accurate load.  Keep your eyes open and you should be able to find a used one for a reasonable price.  I got mine used for $ 100.  Good luck.

[MeatDown]

Well… there are several things to think about… first are you about “The Experience or The Success Rate” or maybe both…

Note to start anything but I don’t know if I would agree with “robodad”… it might just be his side lock…  I have had 2 muzzleloader (pour it in) the first was to see if I wanted to stick with it… so my buddy and I both bought a Traditions Deerhunter (http://www.traditionsfirearms.com/eshop/10Expand.asp?ProductCode=R35108150 ) this gun preformed great for what it was… it shot straight every time, was ease to maintain, and was a good entry gun… after our first couple of deer we both were hooked and both stepped up to the next level… My next muzzleloader was/is a Lyman Great Plains (Hunter Barrel) (http://www.lymanproducts.com/lyman/muzzle-loaders/great-plains-hunter.php ) (On Sale at Cabela’s Right Now) … It has been the best thing and most fun to shoot to date… I love it! I then bought a replacement barrel (to shoot just balls) and have put MANY balls through it…!

My buddy bought a Cabela’s Traditional Hawkens… (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/product/standard-item.jsp?id=0006567210031a&navCount=10&podId=0006567&parentId=cat601141&masterpathid=&navAction=push&cmCat=MainCatcat20712-cat601141&catalogCode=UJ&rid=&parentType=index&indexId=cat601141&hasJS=true
 ) and liked it but then he shot my Lyman and liked the extra weight and balance and longer barrel… so he bought a Cabela’s Kentucky (http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?type=product&cmCat=Related_IPL_210007&id=0012642214584a ) and he LOVES it…

So… it goes back to what and how you want to hunt and with… I have only had 1 time in 5 years of having my smokepole not fire because the powder was wet (this was after a monsoon rain all day, in the snow, out all day still hunting)… I carry my smokepole so that my extra hand covers the percussion cap area… also you can use a little red rubber ring around you cap to keep some of the moister out… But if you are in the hunt for the hunt then it is the chance and experience you take… if you are in the hunt and expect a guarantee then shoot a bullet (my opinion not intended to pass judgment or start a war)…

If you enjoy shooting and the history of the gun go traditional and hunt with it… my elk this year was harvested sitting out in the RAIN and the gun went off without a hitch…!

Cheers

Shawn