Bought my first muzzleloader

[cbzdel]

I picked up a CVA Optima in stainless steel. I bought the model that has open sights yet takes 209 primers. I also bought a northwest conversion kit which converts the muzzle loader to take musket caps and an exposed breech plug, I bought this just in case I ever wanted to try out a hunting season with it. I am also thinking about getting getting this sight for it, http://www.eabco.com/CVAPeep01.htm so I could have the peep sight for hunting season yet I could possibly scope it just for general target shooting at the range, any idea if that sight would be allowable with WA hunting laws?

I dont know if I will ever take it hunting, I just wanted to have the components if that was ever to happen. That being said, would I be better off to leave the the muzzle loader with the 209 primers so use it that way until the time comes to ever take it hunting, which again my be never. Or should I just convert it to the musket caps and leave it that way for good?
 

[Mark Brenckle]

 Well, there are a lot more experienced hunters on here than I am, but if it were me, I'd convert it to NW legal and leave it that way. My thoughts are that when I grab my rifle, whether headed to the range or out hunting, I want it to be ready to fire and I know it's gonna fire. I've read to many 'I forgot my <insert anything imaginable > and had to go back and get it.'
  Also, once it's firing good with musket caps or primers, why bother with 209? Just my thoughts. I'm not sure about the optics you posted, I couldn't open the link.

[Utah]

Thanks for the link to the peep-rib!   It's a great Idea actually.  Quick release rings and "bam" your hunting elk or deer in a firearms restricted unit with a scoped muzzyloader during modern firearm seasons.  Very cool link.  The wife doesn't like the link.   Adjustable peep aperture among others for me..  Merry X-mas to me!  Based on your thoughts/wants if I was you I'd snag that peep-rib in a heart beat

[lokidog]

I would set it up for WA legal primer.  That peep/rib thing is a great idea, I had something like that made about 13 years ago.    Unfortunately, the person mounting mine got it slightly out of alignment and I have to put shims on the mounts to get the scope lined up.  Mine also requires the peep to be pulled off for use of the scope.  The scope mount is really nice for being able to work up a load so that sight limitations are not a factor in the accuracy of your load.  Then, if wanting to use it during modern rifle season, you can just leave the scope on it, or for more of a challenge use the peep.