New muzzleloader

[hawks33]

Well, I have my first year of muzzleloader under my belt and it went well during elk and deer season (need to post pics). Im hooked! I was hoping some of you that are more experienced can point me in the right direction of a new muzzleloader, especially with the change to 209 primers.

I currently have an elkhorn, and it's been a good gun so far. My buddy wants to get into it and I plan on selling my gun to him. Good excuse to buy a new gun right? Anybody have suggestions?  Greatly appreciate the help and if you're hunting northeastern washington, I'm happy to share some info when I'm up there this year.  I know this isn't a new topic, thanks in advance.

J

[carpsniperg2]

I have had great luck with the cva's. I ran the elkhorn and then upgraded to a optima and accura rifle, and a optima pistol. They have been great guns. I just switched them over to 209 but will be nice to be able to switch back if I hunt or draw tags in Oregon or Idaho that I need to use the nw ignition.

[kselkhunter]

I've been enjoying my CVA Accura V2 Nitride.  I definitely enjoy shooting it more with the 209 setup than the northwest setup.

[grundy53]

I too use an elkhorn. I just ordered a Traditions Pursuit G4. Should be here on Thursday.

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[reelamin]

I have a Bighorn and pretty new to muzzle loaders.  I have bedded, floated, and done a huge amount of load development with it.   Overall, I think it is decent but I would prefer better accuracy.  It will shoot about 2"/100yd three shot groups with it's best loads using a scope.  If I continue using a muzzle loader I will definitely upgrade.  My buddy is shooting a Traditions Ultralight base model...again not super accurate and pretty cheaply made.   It is insanely light and not what I prefer.  I love the break action Vs bolt action style and the breech plugs that can be taken out by hand.   If I was buying a new gun today it would be a CVA Accura.   

**I need to qualify my expected results.  I'm not interested in accuracy if the velocity is low.  I want the highest velocity that will produce the best/acceptable accuracy.  1" with a scope is my goal, 2" with peep sights.  So, a 2" group is accurate enough for a 200yd shot on an elk (what I will use it for) for me.  Currently shooting a 290 Barnes TEZ at 2080fps and averages 2" with a scope 3.5" with current terrible (glowing fuzzy ball V nice black post) fiber optic front sight.**

[Dirty Mike]

What load you shooting out of your bighorn? I shoot 1inch or less at 100 with a peep sight

[hawks33]

Thanks for the replies gents! I'm kind of stuck between the accura and the ultralight (for now). I really like the ultralite because I love to cover country and my hunting buddy is a big Knight guy, but I also like the idea of a break action in the accura.  Need to get up to kesselrings and do some further decision making. Happy hunting, be safe, and if you see a guy hiking through the woods with too much sh!÷ on his back stop by and say hi.

J

[Sabotloader]

Thanks for the replies gents! I'm kind of stuck between the accura and the ultralight (for now). I really like the ultralite because I love to cover country and my hunting buddy is a big Knight guy, but I also like the idea of a break action in the accura.  Need to get up to kesselrings and do some further decision making. Happy hunting, be safe, and if you see a guy hiking through the woods with too much sh!÷ on his back stop by and say hi.

J

If you are considering an Ultra Lite, well a Knight Ultra-Lite - it is really hard to go wrong.  they are an excellent light weight rifle and deadly accurate with just about anything you might want to shoot.

I want to get one of the new Nitrate ULites - but the last I heard they are not available until July...



This is the one I am currently using...



I am old really old and not the best shot in the world at all...  And if I had not gotten excited about my 100 yard groupd and tried extra hard to get shot 5 in the tight group - everything might have been great...



Check muzzle-loaders.com - they seem to have the great prices

[CLARKTAR]

Thanks for the replies gents! I'm kind of stuck between the accura and the ultralight (for now). I really like the ultralite because I love to cover country and my hunting buddy is a big Knight guy, but I also like the idea of a break action in the accura.  Need to get up to kesselrings and do some further decision making. Happy hunting, be safe, and if you see a guy hiking through the woods with too much sh!÷ on his back stop by and say hi.

J

If you are considering an Ultra Lite, well a Knight Ultra-Lite - it is really hard to go wrong.  they are an excellent light weight rifle and deadly accurate with just about anything you might want to shoot.

I want to get one of the new Nitrate ULites - but the last I heard they are not available until July...



This is the one I am currently using...



I am old really old and not the best shot in the world at all...  And if I had not gotten excited about my 100 yard groupd and tried extra hard to get shot 5 in the tight group - everything might have been great...



Check muzzle-loaders.com - they seem to have the great prices

If you ever want to sell your ultra to fund the nitride, let me know!

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[Karl Blanchard]

I contemplated a new smoke pole as well until I saw what new Knights are going for

[JimmyHoffa]

Even the old knights make me gasp at the prices.

[hawks33]

They are pricey. I still like to think that quality doesn't cost, it pays. That's bit me in the a$$ more than once too. I think I make better shots when I pay more anyhow

[Karl Blanchard]

They are pricey. I still like to think that quality doesn't cost, it pays. That's bit me in the a$$ more than once too. I think I make better shots when I pay more anyhow

    I think for the most part you do get what you pay for but for a gun that I can't run a scope on and I still need it to be NW legal, $1,200 Is pure insanity to me 

[Sabotloader]

They are pricey. I still like to think that quality doesn't cost, it pays. That's bit me in the a$$ more than once too. I think I make better shots when I pay more anyhow

    I think for the most part you do get what you pay for but for a gun that I can't run a scope on and I still need it to be NW legal, $1,200 Is pure insanity to me 

I THINK... part of the expense of a Knight is that bolt action rifles are inherently more expensive to build than break open rifles.  To get everything from several different companies to assemble together into a functioning unit requires tighter specification and quality control.  Elevating costs of doing business.

Another thought that crosses my mind, the original Tony Knight MK-85, built back in the mid 80's and voted a few years ago as one the 50 best hunting rifles made - is just as functional today as it was in 1985.  The longevity of the rifle goes on today with still many Bighorn's being sold and used.

Pehaps the biggest reason for the higher prices is American parts and American labor - when compared to the world these two factors are not cheap!

Even myself when I first started ML hunting could not find it within myself to pay the high price Knight wanted for a MK - I could easily find a much cheaper functional rifle at WalMart and other Sporting good outlets.  I bought several of the different less expensive over the waters rifles for many years.  Today I do not have any of those early rifles. Back there someplace I descided to venture into Whites, then Thompson Center, on to the MK in the late 90's and other Knights was good move on my part. I still have those early American rifles that I purchased and they are all still quite functional.

I would warn others that might just be starting the ML experiance - be really carefull! it is addictive!!! I have gone down the road so far that I have a safe full of quality centerfire rifles that do not even see the ligh of day any longer.

Just sharing some random thoughts.

One last thought if you might be interested in a new Knight - crap do not look at the Knight web site for prices - they are reallyHIGH! they have to be thay can not under sell their vendors that would certainly be bad business...

Look at private vendors like Sportsmans and other local opportunities.  muzzle-loaders.com - midway.com and other really offer a more competitive price with occasional sales that really reduce the prices.  The earlier in the year that you pruchase the better price you are likely going to get.  The closer we get to hunting season the less you can save.

[Karl Blanchard]

 I do not disagree with anything you just said.  I've had my knight since 2000 and I can say with 100% certainty that I've put a min of 3k loads through her.  That's why I think I'll just stick to it and save myself a grand