What brand of muzzleloader is best?

[Copperwood]

Hello everyone, I am looking into muzzleloading next year and I know nothing about what manufacturers makes the best and who makes the worst. I wanted some help on categorizing them into ok, good and great. Thanks for looking.

[carpsniperg2]

i like 2 brands and i own one of each t/c the black diamond xr and cva elkhorn209 with the musket converstion i like the cva a bit better shoots a little better and is a bolt gun you will see allot of t/c fans on here shooting the black diamond. hope this helps if you ever need info feel free to pm me i been in the spoke pole game for going on 14 years and i am 23 lol

[Curly]

Not too many manufacturers still in business.  I know A&H went out of business a few years back (I have an Austin & Halleck) and I'm pretty sure Knight went under last year.  That leaves TC at the top I would guess.  If you want a ML from a company that is still in business, I'd look at Thompson Center first.

[ribka]

TC.
KNIGHT is good too an dI think you can still find parts if needed.

I have both. I have a CVA and not too happy with the quality. Maybe has improved

[Dirty Mike]

knight or thompson

[Whitelightning]

White Rifles with out a doubt. I own 17 Whites and one CVA, the CVA sits in the safe.

[bobcat]

Is White still in business?

[Whitelightning]

Is White still in business?

Doc is, White rifles Steve Brown has a web order system for parts. Last I heard Steve Brown is trying to re launch White, we will see.

[carpsniperg2]

i thought i was bad with 14 bows but 17 muzzles thats just crazy 2 is bad enough.

[AWS]

Being a traditional guy a Lyman 54 cal roundball Great Plains is a good start.  The original intent of muzzleloading seasons were for us to learn to hunt using the equipment of our forefather.

AWS

[Dansk]

T/C.  Lifetime warranty, simple, parts & accessories everywhere.

[lokidog]

Blue grouse muzzleloaders, Bremerton, he builds underhammer muzzleloaders, cool guns, function well, legal in all states.

[Whitelightning]

Blue grouse muzzleloaders, Bremerton, he builds underhammer muzzleloaders, cool guns, function well, legal in all states.

I have heard of Bluegrouse before, would you have one of his underhammers?

[whacker1]

if you are looking used - there are also Remington's and Winchester. 

Remington made a .54 in a model 700 ML and then they made a .50 magnum in model 700 ML.  (magnum came with longer barrel and was marketed to accept more powder).

Winchester made the x-150, which was a .50 call.  It was a winchester stock, and I believe most of the rest of the parts were made by CVA.

These are all good suggestions in addition to the others mentioned if you are canvassing the used marketplace.

[lokidog]

Blue grouse muzzleloaders, Bremerton, he builds underhammer muzzleloaders, cool guns, function well, legal in all states.

I have heard of Bluegrouse before, would you have one of his underhammers?

I bought one for my wife as a wedding present and a couple years later got one for myself.  They have all the advantages of an in-line as far as reliably firing, fast lock time and are lightweight for hiking around.  Mine has a scope rail mounted to the barrel with a peepsight dovetailed into that, and a removeable breech plug.  The scope rail is really nice for accurate aiming while working up a load.

I have a photo in another thread somewhere, I will try to find it as I do not have the pic on this computer.