Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Muzzleloader Hunting => Topic started by: funkster on February 06, 2011, 12:21:50 PM

Title: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: funkster on February 06, 2011, 12:21:50 PM: After two seasons of helping out a close family friend and my dad on their muzzleloader elk hunts(I had a blast), I am in the market for a muzzleloader this year. I have heard nothing but good things about the CVA elkhorn! That same close family friend went to cabelas and was directed to the buckhorn. I don't know enough about muzzleloaders( I am an archer) to know the difference besides one is half the price, which is really not a concern if the more expensive one is all around better. If anyone here has had experience with the two guns maybe you can shed some light for me. Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 06, 2011, 02:14:44 PM: I shoot a elkhorn. Never had any problems with mine. Its my go to muzzleloader, I did not care for the sights, but don't like most iron sights anyways. So I switched them out "which I do on all my muzzy's" Shoots great easy to get apart.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: bighunter on February 06, 2011, 05:40:26 PM: I have a friend that shoots the elkhorn and he loves it. I am getting one when my taxes arrive, they are on sale at cabelas :drool:
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: funkster on February 06, 2011, 07:36:38 PM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on February 06, 2011, 02:14:44 PM
I shoot a elkhorn. Never had any problems with mine. Its my go to muzzleloader, I did not care for the sights, but don't like most iron sights anyways. So I switched them out "which I do on all my muzzy's" Shoots great easy to get apart.

It seems like everyone says the elkhorn is the muzzleloader to have. After poking around and watching some videos on thees two riffles I found out the biggest difference is the elkhorn has a bolt action vs the buck horn springs action.

Can anyone tell me what the advantage would be of a longer barrel? One has a 26" and the other has a 24"
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 06, 2011, 07:44:19 PM: You will not see much diffrence, other then a little velocity. The bolt action is nice! I like it better then the spring/slide action guns.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: zach1234 on February 08, 2011, 08:43:02 PM: the other thing is winchester x150 is the almost the same as elkhorn and cva mad one called i think the firebolt before the elkhorn almost the same all the guns are mad by black powder products any ways. I have a x150 and love it i got it becuse i wanted a elkhorn but also wanted SS so that was the only way to go.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: PolarBear on February 08, 2011, 08:55:09 PM: I was ready to buy an elkhorn (great gun) but fell into a smoking deal on a Traditions Evolution LD which is practcally the same gun.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: bobcat on February 08, 2011, 09:00:10 PM: What's the difference between the Elkhorn and the Evolution? Is CVA and Traditions the same company? Did you get it at Cabelas? All the muzzleloaders I've seen at Cabelas have not been legal for hunting in Washington. (I've never looked that hard though)
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: carpsniperg2 on February 08, 2011, 10:50:43 PM: They are both Bolt guns, but they use caps and are in lines. They are legal because they are exposed to the elements. A lot of the guns you see at the sporting good stores, have the 209 breech plug in them. You just have to change the plug, which comes with the gun most of the time.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: PolarBear on February 09, 2011, 12:05:06 AM: Quote from: carpsniperg2 on February 08, 2011, 10:50:43 PM
They are both Bolt guns, but they use caps and are in lines. They are legal because they are exposed to the elements. A lot of the guns you see at the sporting good stores, have the 209 breech plug in them. You just have to change the plug, which comes with the gun most of the time.
:yeah:
The Elkhorn at Cabelas comes with the 209 ignition in it. The guy at the counter said that I would have to deal with CVA to get the right nipple to be legal in WA. If you decide on the Elkhorn Sportsman's Warehouse on-line has the best price! They were cheaper than Cabela's. They want $270 for the camo and $230 for the black. Add they include all 3 nipples. http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/CVA-Elkhorn-Pro-209-Magnum-RT-HD-Camo-.50cal/productDetail/In-Line/prod9999013255/cat100007 (http://www.sportsmanswarehouse.com/sportsmans/CVA-Elkhorn-Pro-209-Magnum-RT-HD-Camo-.50cal/productDetail/In-Line/prod9999013255/cat100007)
Cabela's wanted something like $310 or $320 for the camo one.

Bobcat, I don't think CVA and Traditions are the same company. The Evolution LD (Long Distance) has the 26" fluted barrel, bolt action and IMO a nicer camo composite stock. They don't make them anymore. Out of the blue a buddy of mine needed cash and asked if I wanted to buy his. The thing is brand new and has never been shot. I got it for about half of what they went for new.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: dawhunt on February 09, 2011, 06:51:34 AM: The elkhorn we sell at Wholesales sports comes with a 209 nipple but in the box is everything you need to make it legal. Breechplug and #11 or musket cap nipples.
Bob
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: Mongo Hunter on February 09, 2011, 11:39:14 AM: +1 Elkhorn
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: medic6 on February 09, 2011, 12:04:37 PM: Had my elkhorn for two years and had to send the bolt back twice. The elkhorn has a center punch pin that , for me at least, was not reliable when shooting musket/#11 caps. It would punch the cap, but would not cause it to fire. I averaged 4 miss fires for every 10 shots. Another member of our group loves his and it is solid most shot. His wife has the buckhorn and the Pin slaps the whole cap like the traditional muzzleloaders and she has not had any issues. Buckhorn is slightly smaller and cost a lot less shipped to your door for 110.00 only. Both guns shot/felt similar, so if I were buying again I would save the money and get an buckhorn.

I do have to give CVA customer service a good review. They replaced and looked at my gun several times with no delays or lengthy explanations needed on my part. They also replaced the pin and even extended it in hopes to fix its issues. I am however very glad I kept my hawkins.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: smokey on February 09, 2011, 06:51:29 PM: I have an '07 elkhorn, and it misfired abouy 30-40% of the time with caps and 209 primers. The 2nd strike of the cap would fire the cap. I heard that some of the elkhorns had week striker springs, so I put in a little stronger spring and it hasn't misfired since. I have talked to several elkhorn owners who did the same thing and it solved the misfires for them as well. I don't know why CVA doesn't send out a stronger spring to those who are having misfires.

Otherwise I have always liked this gun. The balance and the feel of the stock and grips are great, and it is very accurate. I put a peep site on it and it tightened up my groups. I really like hunting with this gun.
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: funkster on February 09, 2011, 08:17:13 PM: Quote from: dawhunt on February 09, 2011, 06:51:34 AM
The elkhorn we sell at Wholesales sports comes with a 209 nipple but in the box is everything you need to make it legal. Breechplug and #11 or musket cap nipples.
Bob

Do you stock the all black elkhorn ? and is it for the $230 with the breechplug and # 11 nipple?
Title: Re: elkhorn vs buckhorn?
Post by: dawhunt on February 10, 2011, 04:33:55 PM: Quote from: funkster on February 09, 2011, 08:17:13 PM
Quote from: dawhunt on February 09, 2011, 06:51:34 AM
The elkhorn we sell at Wholesales sports comes with a 209 nipple but in the box is everything you need to make it legal. Breechplug and #11 or musket cap nipples.
Bob

Do you stock the all black elkhorn ? and is it for the $230 with the breechplug and # 11 nipple?

YES !!!!!