I have a Knight UL Stainless (nUmber 11 caps) and a Cva Optima (musket caps). Restricted to that in OR. Bought the Knight first after a lot of research (thanks SabotLoader), and got the CVA later for a spare.
They both feel nice and light to me, compared to a scoped centerfire.
The Knight UL is a very nice gun. It’s not twice the gun as the CVA for more than twice the price, but that’s just how diminishing marginal returns work. It just feels like quality. I handled a bunch of Knights, Bighorn, Mountain rifle, Wolverine, etc, but when I picked up the UL, I knew it was the one.
I shoot Thor bullets in the UL. I could not get either of the lead bullets that I could get at BiMart (Hornady 385 Great Plains, and Power Belt 300 gr Pure Lead) to group at all. Not consistently hitting paper plate at 50 yards. But I know others can, I just quit trying after I got the Thors to group. As for terminal performance with Thors: I’ve only shot one doe. High double lung pass through and she went 30 yards. Minimal blood trail.
The break action CVA breech plugs are more convenient to unload without shooting it out, however. Triggers are both good, in my opinion.
I’m a relatively new Muzzleloader, so I was really worried about “waterproofiness.” I hunted in heavy rain/slush/snow in the Salad for a week with the UL. I got nervous on the third day, and tested it, and it fired. And it fired again on the last day as well. Using a muzzle condom of course.
That’s the some total of my experience; hope it helps with your choice.
Regards,
Buster