could use some muzzleloader advice

[grundy53]

Im no muzzy expert so im looking for a little advice. I've done my research and have decided to purchase a new CVA Elkhorn pro. But I've come across a used knight LK-93 for a reasonable price. So here is the question. Would you stick with the original plan and go elkhorn or get the used LK-93? Also any thoughts on the LK-93? Since it isn't one of the ones I've researched.

[Mongo Hunter]

I have a CVA Elkhorn and it shoots great and is nice and light so +1 there.

As for used guns its hard to say, black power especially. black powder is not like smokeless powder used in modern rifles, its highly corrosive even with chrome lined barrels. so the tough part is determining if it has been properly cleaned and stored. one of the things that some of the old school of thought muzzy hunters was that you can leave your rifle loaded with powder and bullet for months or until next season. problem was they found out real quick their barrels got "pitted" out and are now basically a big paper weight, and the manufacturers wont cover it.

being CVA Elkhorns are not super expensive I would go with it.

[dupedc]

I've checked out the CVA Elkhorn Pro too.  It sure looks and feels like a good muzzy.  It gets great reviews on this site.  I'd say that by every count, the folks with the Elkhorn, love it!  That being said, buying a used gun can be a real bargain, or you could buy a real clunker.   Good luck!

[BOWHUNTER45]

I have a CVA and I love it ...54 CAL ... mean mean killin machine ...

[Sabotloader]

Im no muzzy expert so im looking for a little advice. I've done my research and have decided to purchase a new CVA Elkhorn pro. But I've come across a used knight LK-93 for a reasonable price. So here is the question. Would you stick with the original plan and go elkhorn or get the used LK-93? Also any thoughts on the LK-93? Since it isn't one of the ones I've researched.

I would like to share a couple of thoughts and remember these are just my opinion...

I honestly do not know a lot about the CVA Elkhorn Pro.  When i first got into shooting ML's my first inlines were CVA's a Hunter Bolt and a Fire Bolt.  They were not that bad a gun but it did not take me long to figure out that I was looking for more than the CVA could offer me.  Have not had a CVA since...

As I understand it the Elkhorn is a bolt with all three ignitions systems available.  It would my suggestion that you look at a new Knight DISC rifle with a Western Kit installed.  It is going to be more costly than the Elk Horn, but again in my opinion it is a far better gun and offers additional features that do not come with the CVA.

http://www.knightrifles.com/disc-extreme-guns/

I have several of these Extremes (older Extremes) and they are a great rifle…  This is the one that I use a lot.  I do use a scope during regular rifle season and it has to come off for ML season here in Idaho.



This is the open breech with a #11 installed.



The price you see on the Knight site can be reduced if you purchase the gun from a dealer.  Even if you were to order from Knight they are offering a 20% discount coupon if you mention it to them.

The LK-93 is a open breech – pull cock – hammer gun.  It is really a very good gun.  If you were to do search on a Knight Wolverine you would find a lot of information.  The new variety of the same gun is called a Knight Big Horn.  It offers a longer 26” barrel.

This is a Knight MK-85, which is a predecessor to the LK-85

 

[superdown]

what are the advantages of the disc extreme with the western kit over the bighorn?

[Sabotloader]

what are the advantages of the disc extreme with the western kit over the bighorn?

When you ask it that way... I guess I can only say that biggest advantage is the bolt operation of the gun.  The only thing that you and I might bth agree on it that their really isn't another ML built as well a Knight, whether it be a Big Horn, DISC, or Moutaineer.

The bolt face makes the gun somewhat more safe in that blow back cannot push the hammer back and allow the 209 or even parts of the cap from exiting the gun.  If you look at the one picture you can see that with the bolt closed a hood covers a large portion of the breech area and flying parts from a cap are contained inside the bolt.  With the DISC you can safely use both the NFPJ and FPJ 209 system + #11 and musket caps.

The other real advantage for me is the bolt and hood systems offers much more breech protection than does the open breech area of the Big Horn.  The area being more closed keeps debris from falling into the open breech area, as well as it helps keep a lot of the weather out of the breech area, and I hunt in some lousy weather.

Lastly for me… I do not use a centerfire rifle any longer all the hunting I do now, even during regular rifle season, I use a ML and the DISC and a NFPJ ignition system – I really do not feel that out classed hunting with the guys using a centerfire.

Oh! And one last thought during the regular rifle season you could use BH-209 with a DISC and not worry about blow back at all.

So it really is just in the eyes of the operator.

[grundy53]

I have a CVA Elkhorn and it shoots great and is nice and light so +1 there.

As for used guns its hard to say, black power especially. black powder is not like smokeless powder used in modern rifles, its highly corrosive even with chrome lined barrels. so the tough part is determining if it has been properly cleaned and stored. one of the things that some of the old school of thought muzzy hunters was that you can leave your rifle loaded with powder and bullet for months or until next season. problem was they found out real quick their barrels got "pitted" out and are now basically a big paper weight, and the manufacturers wont cover it.
being CVA Elkhorns are not super expensive I would go with it.

That was my main concern too. What little I know about Muzzleloaders I do know they need to be cleaned a lot. It looked like it was in pretty good shape, but you never know. I will probably just go with a new muzzy just so I can be sure. Thank you everyone for the advice. It is much appreciated.

[marty]

I am a knight fan have been hunting with one for 10 years and found it reliable and accurate never has had a miss fire or hang fire. Started muzzleload hunting with a CVA and can tell you that it is not as accurate as my Knight bighorn. But my CVA is an older inline and have not had much experience with CVA since buying the Knight.

[hunt4]

The price you see on the Knight site can be reduced if you purchase the gun from a dealer.  Even if you were to order from Knight they are offering a 20% discount coupon if you mention it to them.

Were did you see this?  I would like one of these coupons.

[Sabotloader]

The price you see on the Knight site can be reduced if you purchase the gun from a dealer.  Even if you were to order from Knight they are offering a 20% discount coupon if you mention it to them.

Were did you see this?  I would like one of these coupons.

At the big gun shows Knight was offering the discount coupon, I think if you were to call Knight and ask them, I think they would honor the request but I am not sure. It would take a phone call.

I will also see if I can come up with the coupon number...

[carpsniperg2]

As many know I shoot a cva elkhorn as my main gun and have had nothing but good luck with it. My backup gun is now my black diamond xr. The cva elkhorn is not a very spendy gun and does not have the best paint job on it, But!!! that does not mean it can't shoot. Mine has been a great gun Its kinda like a tikka of the muzzle world. Light not very spendy but a great gun. I would be happy to answer and questions you might have.

[grundy53]

I really appreciate everyones help. I ended up buying a CVA Elkhorn yesterday. Now the next step. When I bought the Elkhorn I also picked up some #11 and Musket caps so I can experiment with them and decide what I like. I also picked up some pyrodex pellets (they didn't have any loose powder of any kind). I held off on buying any bullets since I'm not sure what I should get and would like to try a few kinds out. Since I've never owned a muzzleloader I don't know everything I need. I'm going to get a muzzle loader cleaning kit but don't know which one I should get. Also I would like to know what are the thing that I'm going to wish I had when I'm out in the woods or at home cleaning/tinkering with it? So basically as a beginner what would you recommend I get as far as accessories, tools, cleaning supplies, powder, bullets, etc... Thank you again for everyones help.

[Mongo Hunter]

Congrates on the purchase! Awesome choice!

as for other toys:

Range rod for sure, those ones under the barrel suck after a couple shots!

CVA make a beginner Kit that comes with  PowerBelt bullets, hollow point bullet starter, breech plug/nipple grease, PowerBelt SpeedClip loader, Barrel Blaster solvent, cleaning patches, cleaning brush, breech brush set, and instructional DVD for about $60

if you don't want the whole kit, then just get bullet a starter, Nipple grease, Black powder solvent, Cleaning patches w/ brush and some barrel butter to lube the bullets for easier starting.


I use the musket primers in mine with 150g of pyrodex pellets, good stuff manerd.

[teanawayslayer]

I'm with sabotloader on this one.  I have owned three cva's and one winchester.  Cva ran out of things to offer.  I just got my first knight a little over a month ago.  I could not be happier with the rifle.  Very well built!!!  I My hunting partner uses a cva and has owned it for 8 years.  He has no desire to upgrade or change.  It's all up to the individual.  The cva is a good place to start.  But in my opinion you will probably end up with a knight down the road

[grundy53]

Congrates on the purchase! Awesome choice!

as for other toys:

Range rod for sure, those ones under the barrel suck after a couple shots!

CVA make a beginner Kit that comes with  PowerBelt bullets, hollow point bullet starter, breech plug/nipple grease, PowerBelt SpeedClip loader, Barrel Blaster solvent, cleaning patches, cleaning brush, breech brush set, and instructional DVD for about $60

if you don't want the whole kit, then just get bullet a starter, Nipple grease, Black powder solvent, Cleaning patches w/ brush and some barrel butter to lube the bullets for easier starting.


I use the musket primers in mine with 150g of pyrodex pellets, good stuff manerd.

Thank you for the help. I really appreciate it.

[Mongo Hunter]

No problemo,

Black powder has alot to remember and all sorts of little stuff you have to buy. its no wonder so many people to modern!

Never store the gun loaded for a long period of time.

Clean it after fireing with good solvent. if you want to fowl the barrel a little pop a couple primers in it (unloaded of course).

Always use the grease for the breach plug and nipple otherwise you'll never get it back out.

I always put a little barrel butter on a patch and run it down the barrel a couple times before storing.

...yep I'm missing my Remington 700 already 

[grundy53]

No problemo,

Black powder has alot to remember and all sorts of little stuff you have to buy. its no wonder so many people to modern!

Never store the gun loaded for a long period of time.

Clean it after fireing with good solvent. if you want to fowl the barrel a little pop a couple primers in it (unloaded of course).Always use the grease for the breach plug and nipple otherwise you'll never get it back out.

I always put a little barrel butter on a patch and run it down the barrel a couple times before storing.

...yep I'm missing my Remington 700 already 

Is this to "season" it before shooting?

Thanks again for the advice.

[Mongo Hunter]

yeah they say its supposed to season the barrel, wether is does or not I'm not sure. I mostly do it cause its kinda like oiling your barrel on a rifle before storage, keep moisture out.

[funkster]

Fouling is to make sure all the moisture and/or any cleaning product is out of the breech/barrel. If you are going to foul, make sure you do it everytime and sight your loader in at the range using the same process that you are going to hunt with.