collapse

Advertisement


Author Topic: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?  (Read 14076 times)

Offline Parasite

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 552
  • Location: Olympia
So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« on: January 22, 2023, 11:27:17 PM »
Not really a fan of muzzleloaders as I hate cleaning them and have not owned one in probably 20 years and that was a Hawken. Whats a great muzzleloader for WA elk these days? Ideally I would have liked a barrel for my TC Encore, but it looks like they are not being made anymore, so I have to find other options I guess if I decide to get back into this. Any opinions?

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+29)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 50348
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2023, 05:57:36 AM »
You can buy Encore barrels all over the place. eBay is a great option. I’ve got one and love it. I haven’t used it yet, but Blackhorn 209 powder is supposed to make a huge difference in the cleanup process.
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline johnbmyersii

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: Apr 2021
  • Posts: 252
  • Location: Dryside
  • Groups: BHA
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2023, 06:00:45 AM »
You can buy Encore barrels all over the place. eBay is a great option. I’ve got one and love it. I haven’t used it yet, but Blackhorn 209 powder is supposed to make a huge difference in the cleanup process.

 :yeah: If you can find blackhorn, its worth it

Offline OltHunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+9)
  • Scout
  • ****
  • Join Date: May 2007
  • Posts: 475
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2023, 06:29:19 AM »
CVA Accura with blackhorn breech or a higher up option with a much better trigger is Knight mountaineer/ultralite. 50+ caliber.

I had great groups and excellent terminal performance with fury universal bullets for CVA. But there are lots of great bullet choices now too.

The Williams fiber optic front globe and rear peep is highly recommended too.

Load work up at the range with blackhorn requires no cleaning at all.

I've seen Blackhorn recently online for $70 for 8oz before taxes, hazmat, and shipping. It's getting ridiculous.

Offline elkboy

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2010
  • Posts: 1809
  • Location: Corvallis, Oregon
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #4 on: January 23, 2023, 08:07:11 AM »
I have a Knight Bighorn and a Knight Mountaineer, and they are great.  Have taken several WA deer with each.  The Mountaineer is a somewhat heavy rifle to lug around the mountains, but it is incredibly accurate.   

Knight Bloodline 300 gr for bullets, Triple 7 FFG for powder.  I still use musket caps.  Williams FP peep sight. 

Offline Parasite

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 552
  • Location: Olympia
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #5 on: January 23, 2023, 10:51:41 PM »
You can buy Encore barrels all over the place.

I see aftermarket Encore barrels, just centerfire, not muzzleloader. And ebay and gunbroker its mostly used and overpriced stuff which Im not interested in.

Offline Wetwoodshunter

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+8)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2014
  • Posts: 1322
  • Location: Sekiu & Goldendale, WA
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #6 on: January 24, 2023, 01:07:38 AM »
I have a Remington Ultimate Muzzleloader. I can load it, hunt the season in pouring rain, not see a dang thing but it will go bang. Pros shoots 200 grains/4 pellets 777, or blackthorn 209, cased primer, shoots very fast and flat compared to other muzzleloaders with a 250 gr bullet. As I said before, it will shoot when you pull the trigger.

Cons pricey for a muzzleloader, heavy as a brick, not legal/no way to make legal in some states.

The other gun I seriously considered was the Knight Disc Extreme. You can convert that one for other more primitive states.

Offline JakeLand

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+35)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 4521
  • Location: Wet side
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #7 on: January 24, 2023, 08:13:19 AM »
1st. Choice is a knight ultra lite.50 deadly accurate and light
2nd is disc extreme very accurate just a little heavier
« Last Edit: January 24, 2023, 09:40:52 AM by JakeLand »

Offline jackelope

  • Administrator
  • Trade Count: (+29)
  • Legend
  • *****
  • Join Date: Mar 2007
  • Posts: 50348
  • Location: Duvall, WA
  • Groups: jackelope
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #8 on: January 24, 2023, 08:21:23 AM »
You can buy Encore barrels all over the place.

I see aftermarket Encore barrels, just centerfire, not muzzleloader. And ebay and gunbroker its mostly used and overpriced stuff which Im not interested in.

https://www.eabco.com/tcencore209X50.html
:fire.:

" In today's instant gratification society, more and more pressure revolves around success and the measurement of one's prowess as a hunter by inches on a score chart or field photos produced on social media. Don't fall into the trap. Hunting is-and always will be- about the hunt, the adventure, the views, and time spent with close friends and family. " Ryan Hatfield

My posts, opinions and statements do not represent those of this forum

Offline Skyvalhunter

  • Washington For Wildlife
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Oct 2007
  • Posts: 16010
  • Location: Sky valley/Methow
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #9 on: January 24, 2023, 01:33:52 PM »
Get the Knight ultra but hunt out of state.
The only man who never makes a mistake, is the man who never does anything!!
The further one goes into the wilderness, the greater the attraction of its lonely freedom.

Offline JakeLand

  • WA State Trappers Association
  • Trade Count: (+35)
  • Frontiersman
  • *****
  • Join Date: Oct 2011
  • Posts: 4521
  • Location: Wet side
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #10 on: January 25, 2023, 06:41:02 AM »
A guy on rockslide is selling a .50 barrel for the tc pro hunter

Offline JimmyHoffa

  • Non-Hunting Topics
  • Trade Count: (+2)
  • Explorer
  • ******
  • Join Date: Sep 2010
  • Posts: 14550
  • Location: 150 Years Too Late
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #11 on: January 25, 2023, 08:36:55 AM »
I have a Knight Bighorn and a Knight Mountaineer, and they are great.  Have taken several WA deer with each.  The Mountaineer is a somewhat heavy rifle to lug around the mountains, but it is incredibly accurate.   

Knight Bloodline 300 gr for bullets, Triple 7 FFG for powder.  I still use musket caps.  Williams FP peep sight.
I like the mountaineer.  My issue with the weight is that the barrel is so much of the weight, that it is heavy forward.  The muzzle wants to dip and the butt wants to slide up and off my shoulder.

Offline Gobble Gobble

  • Proud Daddy & Disabled Veteran
  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Sourdough
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2008
  • Posts: 1076
  • Location: Yakima, WA
  • B.O.H.I.C.A.
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #12 on: January 25, 2023, 06:20:32 PM »
I purchased a CVA Optima V2 with the Nitride barrel and camo stock/forend this year for my son. Just over 6 pounds it's light to me. Shoots great with 250gr Barnes TSX and 90gr of White Hots. Son took a nice Doe with a youth tag this year. She went 40 yards at a full sprint before piling up.
God Bless,
Scott

Offline haftard

  • Trade Count: (0)
  • Hunter
  • ***
  • Join Date: Feb 2020
  • Posts: 197
  • Location: vancover
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #13 on: February 24, 2023, 01:59:47 PM »
I have a cva optima, my wife as a cva wolf and my dad has the cva Acura. i would get the wolf or the optima. wayyyy esier to clean then some of the older muzzleloaders ive had. The Acura just is not worth the extra $$$ over the optima IMO.

Offline Parasite

  • Political & Covid-19 Topics
  • Trade Count: (+6)
  • Longhunter
  • *****
  • Join Date: Dec 2018
  • Posts: 552
  • Location: Olympia
Re: So whats a great muzzleloader option for WA these days?
« Reply #14 on: February 26, 2023, 10:48:57 PM »
Ending up buying a 209x50 Endeavor SS barrel for my TC Encore. Just waiting for it to come in the mail. I guess it's time to make a list of what else I will need if anyone wants to chime in. This gun will be used for elk only.

 


* Advertisement

* Recent Topics

EAA Girsan Witness 2311 in 10mm with factory red dot, lightly used. by Dirty Dingus Dave
[Today at 08:51:01 AM]


Good day of steelhead fishing! by HntnFsh
[Today at 07:55:55 AM]


North Sea Fishing trip by Machias
[Today at 07:55:34 AM]


Area 11 2025 - Well? by trophyhunt
[Today at 07:45:53 AM]


Surprise quality deer tag by trophyhunt
[Today at 07:43:50 AM]


Looking for Solid 22 LR input by JDHasty
[Yesterday at 09:18:47 PM]


2025 Area 9 King Opener by Encore 280
[Yesterday at 09:18:12 PM]


506 Willapa Hills Late Season Antlerless Tag by stur4351@gmail.com
[Yesterday at 08:37:32 PM]


Tasty Pinks! by pd
[Yesterday at 07:32:37 PM]


William o Douglas lakes by JWBINX
[Yesterday at 06:02:09 PM]


Triple Blacktail Pedestal by furbearer365
[Yesterday at 05:34:33 PM]


Idaho general deer area 5. by leonpeon2
[Yesterday at 05:05:38 PM]


2025 Crab! by SeaRun1
[Yesterday at 02:58:28 PM]


2024 Quality Buck coming home by OutHouse
[Yesterday at 12:42:30 PM]


If this is your trap by Ridgeratt
[Yesterday at 09:13:08 AM]


Crabbing at cornet bay? by mikey549
[Yesterday at 09:07:29 AM]


Boundary Waters walleye trip by Angry Perch
[Yesterday at 07:17:54 AM]


Livestock near 49 degrees north? by nwwanderer
[Yesterday at 06:12:32 AM]


GMU 247 Entiat bear hunting by BigredRusch
[July 17, 2025, 09:27:40 PM]

SimplePortal 2.3.7 © 2008-2025, SimplePortal