Best Muzzleloader for a New ML Hunter

[DavidL]

I am seriously looking at purchasing a muzzleloader so I can begin hunting the ML season for deer and possibly elk.  I borrowed one this year and want one of my own.  I would like to choose from CVA, Traditions, or Thompson Center because of special pricing I get.  Looking for suggestions for a decent choice.  I will probably need one that can have better sights added for aging eyes, like a peep or ghost ring rear and not sure about the front. 
Any suggestions are appreciated.

[JakeLand]

I like my CVA accura V2 .50 it shoots great and easy to clean and load ghost ring rear sight is a plus !

[Skyvalhunter]

Is that what you shot your BT with?

[Dark2Dark]

I would suggest the CVA Optima V2. It loads easily and being able to remove the breach with no tools is clutch. Out of three I owned before my Remington, it seemed to be the least prone to failures.

I do think the Remington is a buy once/cry once option.

[Smokepole]

I would suggest the CVA Optima V2. It loads easily and being able to remove the breach with no tools is clutch. Out of three I owned before my Remington, it seemed to be the least prone to failures.

I do think the Remington is a buy once/cry once option.

We have two Optimas, and they are great, accurate rifles.  Triggers smooth as butter.  Call muzzleloaders.com for the best deal.

[Taco280AI]

I have the Knight Ultralight. Fired it a few times, but haven't hunted with it yet. Did change the rear sight on it.

[LDennis24]

Ignore all these CVA guys!  Get a Thompson Center Black Diamond or similar. I have never had a misfire with mine in many years and nothing on them wears out. They are easy to clean and clear even in the field. They are very reliable guns and cheaper than alot of other brands too!

[kselkhunter]

Pretty much any of the brands will work.  It comes down to personal preference.   I have the CVA Accura V2 with this sight setup, except I took the extra step of painting the crosshairs with Glow-On gunsight paint which helps in lowlight conditions. Very accurate setup for me.
https://www.gohunt.com/read/skills/increased-accuracy-from-an-open-sight-muzzleloader#gs.kir9w6


I do like those Remington 700 UMLs though, and might consider one of those if I were buying new with a larger budget.  But I think any of Thompson Center, Knight, Traditions, CVA, etc. would also work well.   


I like the 209 and Blackhorn powder setup with the new WA regulations with a saboted bullet.   Any of these rifle brands have options for that breech plug setup.  As well as still offering the Northwest legal plug should you want to hunt nearby states as well.

[elkinrutdrivemenuts]

https://www.muzzleloaders.com/product-category/muzzleloaders/disc-extreme-muzzleloader/

Very good price on a fine Muzzy!

[dilleytech]

Love our knew knight bighorn. It has performed flawlessly on paper and on the field for us this season. Barnes spitfire T-EZ 290 gr in two separate animals came out beautiful as well.

[Viking360]

Ignore all these CVA guys!  Get a Thompson Center Black Diamond or similar. I have never had a misfire with mine in many years and nothing on them wears out. They are easy to clean and clear even in the field. They are very reliable guns and cheaper than alot of other brands too!

I agree, I have a TC Black Diamond and all my buddies shoot knights.  Both awesome guns for the last 15 years.

[birddogdad]

i have a Thompson nw explorer 50cal i would let go for 100$...

[7mm ed]

I got the prohunter FX and shoots great . Little more money . easy clean up .

[JakeLand]

Is that what you shot your BT with?

no modern deer and muzzy elk got a 5x5 both last year and this year with it!

[LDennis24]

DON'T BUY A TRADITIONS!!! Please don't buy a traditions gun, by all means encourage your buddies to, but you buy a good gun and then they will always have misfires and you'll get the shot on the animal!

[Smokepole]

DON'T BUY A TRADITIONS!!! Please don't buy a traditions gun, by all means encourage your buddies to, but you buy a good gun and then they will always have misfires and you'll get the shot on the animal!

I have to agree.  I have a Traditions, and switched to CVA Optima a few years ago.  Dropped a nice mule deer buck at 212 yards last year.  Got a little white tail this year.  Haven't had a misfire yet with the CVA.  Nice light gun with a great trigger for the money.  The Traditions on the other hand is a bear to clean, and I had frequent misfires with the bolt ignition.  Also it has a rough, stiff trigger and a not-so-safe safety mechanism.   

[Lumpy Taters]

Got my wife a CVA Optima for deer this year. Very accurate and easy to clean.  I have tried T& pellets, loose powder and just recently switched it over to 209 primers.  Goes bang every time and haven't had any issues with it.