Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: slinger on June 23, 2019, 09:33:11 AM

Title: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: slinger on June 23, 2019, 09:33:11 AM: Looking to buy a muzzleloader for elk. Been doing some research, but i figured i would see what the experts use and why. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: kselkhunter on June 23, 2019, 09:49:10 AM: It's a muzzleloader so I'm not sure the relation to type of game matters as much. Lots of opinions on the different muzzleloader brands. More important question would be which ML bullet for elk. And there will be lots of opinions there as well. My advice on bullet is 290gr and up. The Barnes 290gr are kind of the gold standard for elk. Plus other brands in that and larger sizes. I originally shot the Barnes 290gr T-EZ bullets for elk. Am now also shooting a 325gr Beartooth hard cast in a sabot (with the front 25% of the bullet annealed down to BHN11 with the rear 75% at BHN21). Only $0.50/bullet instead of the >$1/bullet for the Barnes.

There are a heck of a lot more experienced ML guys on here than I. I went for easy, so have the CVA Accura V2. Originally as NW Legal but switched to the BH209 breech plug and Blackhorn 209 now.

And I copied this for my peep sights setup for better accuracy:
https://www.gohunt.com/read/skills/increased-accuracy-from-an-open-sight-muzzleloader
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 23, 2019, 09:49:49 AM: Depends on the hunting and conditions in my opinion. Will you be hunting long range, heavy timber, dry side/season or the late on the wetside? I think a sidelock .54 cal with 450 grain bullets under blade/buckhorn sights would be plenty fine in the coastal forests in October, but wouldn't be my choice in clear cuts in December.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: slinger on June 23, 2019, 02:52:16 PM: Thanks for the info. I will be hunting gmu 418, I drew the quality bull tag for muzzleloader. So now I need to get a muzzleloader. lol
There are lots of different opions on different brands just trying to get educated before i go buy one.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: WSU on June 23, 2019, 03:33:12 PM: Lots of people like the accura but mine had ignition issues. Supposedly that’s a known issue but perhaps it’s been fixed? I got rid of it and bought a Knight. Seems like a nice gun but I haven’t hunted with it yet.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: Dark2Dark on June 23, 2019, 09:40:02 PM: With the new regulations you might as well go with the Remington UML. It’s built on the 700 platform and is as absolutely failsafe as you can get with a ML. Ignition source is a half a 308 cartridge with proprietary chamfering.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: Jellymon on June 23, 2019, 09:55:43 PM: Quote from: Dark2Dark on June 23, 2019, 09:40:02 PM
With the new regulations you might as well go with the Remington UML. It’s built on the 700 platform and is as absolutely failsafe as you can get with a ML. Ignition source is a half a 308 cartridge with proprietary chamfering.

A modern Remington, failsafe? :chuckle:
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: Buzz2401 on June 26, 2019, 04:26:16 PM: I got a Knight bighorn that has been reliable and has fiber optic sights and a ton of different nipple options
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: cb1989 on June 27, 2019, 06:24:51 AM: Next question - where are the elk in 418? :bash:
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: X-Force on June 27, 2019, 07:44:26 AM: Quote from: cb1989 on June 27, 2019, 06:24:51 AM
Next question - where are the elk in 418? :bash:

Next to highway 9 and 20 😉
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: WapitiTalk1 on June 27, 2019, 08:14:05 AM: Slinger, take a look at the Traditions Strikefire (link below shows the model I have on sale). My buddy and I went to the range last Sunday to both try our new smoke poles out. I had the Traditions Strikefire and he has a brand spanking new Knight ultra-lite model. I shot tighter groups with the Traditions than he did out of his Knight. For the price and features, I personally would buy the Traditions again as my first ML. Really happy with it.

https://www.midwayusa.com/product/1017149884/traditions-vortek-strikerfire-muzzleloading-rifle-50-caliber-28-fluted-nitride-barrel-synthetic-stock

And heres some VIDs on the Traditions ML.

https://www.traditionsfirearms.com/video-listings
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: dvolmer on June 27, 2019, 08:35:04 AM: The best muzzleloaders out there in my opinion, Remington 700 and or the Knights. Not the cheapest but the best. I have the Remington but I know the barrels on the Knights are awesome! I have the older style Remington bolt action gun. If I was buying new I would spend the money and buy the new Remington ultra 700.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: slinger on June 29, 2019, 09:17:01 AM: Thanks for all the input! I will check into those. As far as loading the gun is one brand easier than the other? The CVA Accura claims to be the most accurate shooting muzzle loader or your money back.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: JimmyHoffa on June 29, 2019, 09:22:57 AM: I think I would look for ignition reliability too. If you cut 1/2 MOA off your groups, but gain 25% more fail to fires it can really mess with you.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: kselkhunter on June 29, 2019, 09:58:54 AM: Quote from: slinger on June 29, 2019, 09:17:01 AM
Thanks for all the input! I will check into those. As far as loading the gun is one brand easier than the other? The CVA Accura claims to be the most accurate shooting muzzle loader or your money back.

CVAs are plenty accurate, and easy to clean. Just make sure you buy the V2 models, don't buy a used V0 or V1. And if you want to run Blackhorn 209 powder there is a specific Blackhorn 209 breech plug you have to buy. Otherwise, if you run their standard breech plug you will get ignition issues if trying to run Blackhorn209 powder in it. Hence the BH209 specific breech plug.

My custom sight setup on my Acurra V2 Nitride model is accurate for farther out than my eyesight can see. I regularly practice out to 120yards with it. Beyond 120 I don't trust my eyesight as much.
Title: Re: best muzzleloader for elk
Post by: HoofsandWings on June 29, 2019, 10:44:45 AM: Quote from: slinger on June 23, 2019, 09:33:11 AM
Looking to buy a muzzleloader for elk. Been doing some research, but i figured i would see what the experts use and why. Any info would be appreciated, thanks.

For muzzleloaders, the one that pulls the trigger is the one to worry about. Most muzzleloaders have hair triggers and the shooter has to be calm while pulling the trigger.