Help me pick a Muzzleloader

[Bigeclipse]

Hey all,
I know there is a muzzleloader section but there are not many posts or views there so i do apologize for posting this here. I am in the market for my first muzzleloader. I just spent quite a few bills on a rifle, so there isnt much left for the muzzleloader. I would like to keep it under 300(without scope). I have found 2 within my budget that seem nice. The CVA optima V2 and the traditions ambush III. There isnt much info on the Ambush III, looks new and I only found it on Cabelas. The CVA seems nice but does seem to have some issues here and there in reviews, such as you may have to buy a blackhorn 209 breech plug...and you may have to buy shims to help with blowback and to prevent miss-fires, both of which are relatively cheap fixes.

My only real needs are...will shoot to 100 yards reasonably accurate(1.5MOA groups) and take deer(strictly hunting muzzleloader) Second requirement is it seems most people like stainless...not sure if this is necessary but I know black powder is pretty corrosive so if this aids in protection then great.
The CVA Optima V2, I have found in blackstock/stainless for 270$. The ambush III is similar in price on cabelas...maybe a touch more. Any advice or thoughts?

 

[muley]

I have a Thompson Center Impact that I like a lot. I shot a muley doe at 80 yards and a coyote at 100 yards with the iron sights it came with. They both dropped. It isn't stainless, but I haven't had any problem with it rusting. I wish I got to hunt with it more, but Wyoming is one of the dumb states that doesn't have a true muzzle loader season. I like going to Nebraska though.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I have a Thompson Center Impact that I like a lot. I shot a muley doe at 80 yards and a coyote at 100 yards with the iron sights it came with. They both dropped. It isn't stainless, but I haven't had any problem with it rusting. I wish I got to hunt with it more, but Wyoming is one of the dumb states that doesn't have a true muzzle loader season. I like going to Nebraska though.

That does stink...here in New York Muzzleloader buys you an additional 9 days after regular gun season

 

[BountyHunter]

Modern Muzzleloader • Index page

Try this forum to review their tests on the rifles. Most of the modern ones are capable of those groups IF you find the right sabot, bullet, powder combo.


I have an early TC encore that shoots 1" with the Barnes EZ Spitfires. the EZ bullets are made for tighter bores which TCs tend to be.

IMO the only powder to consider is Blackhorn 209. it is fast, reliable and most importantly is the most uniform weight wise when pouring based on all the tests.

Plus it does not get the crud build up of other such as 777.

 

[Bigeclipse]

Modern Muzzleloader • Index page

Try this forum to review their tests on the rifles. Most of the modern ones are capable of those groups IF you find the right sabot, bullet, powder combo.


I have an early TC encore that shoots 1" with the Barnes EZ Spitfires. the EZ bullets are made for tighter bores which TCs tend to be.

IMO the only powder to consider is Blackhorn 209. it is fast, reliable and most importantly is the most uniform weight wise when pouring based on all the tests.

Plus it does not get the crud build up of other such as 777.

Thank you. After reading this and other reviews I decided to go with the CVA optima v2. It seems to be everything I need in the right price range. Should be accurate enough from 100-150 yards, stainless, and under 300 bucks. Thanks everyone for your help.

 

[midwesthunter]

I have been shooting a CVA acura the original one for a couple years. I use buckhorn powder with standard breach plug. I was shooting winchester 209 primers, but ran out so used 777 this year. I shoot 110 grains of powder and only time I have a small hang fire is if I don't run a torch cleaner though the breech after the fourth shot. Loads easy with shock wave 250's or I have been shooting 200 grain dead center bullets, shot a MI buck at 268 yards last year. It easily shoots 1/2 MOA at 100 yards. CVA uses Bergera barrels

 

[Doublezranch]

I have a TC omega and love everything about it. From the closed breech so no snow, rain, ect. get in there and cause a misfire, to the unbelievable accuracy you can achieve. It seems to like anything you throw down the tube. A very easy 1 MOA at a 100 yards. That's my opinion. A little more money for accuracy, consistancy, and confidence in knowing when that 180 inch whitetail/mule deer steps out, your gun will fire.

In North Dakota we have a muzzleloader season after the rifle season. If you were lucky enough to draw a tag, you'd be hunting in the middle of a blizzard today. That closed breech comes in handy in weather like this. I have one in stainless and blued. Ease of care is the same for both.

Good Luck in your smoke pole journey!!

 

[1 mile]

The Ultimate is the only way to go....$2000.00 with shot 200grs of powder gun)

 

[gregrn43]

Lots of good muzzleloaders out on the market now. I have 7 muzzys, my favorite is a White shooting systems, a fantastic muzzleloader, unfortunately they are out of business. CVA makes some good muzzys, their optima and accura are fine shooting rifles. TC triumph and encore are some other good ones. I have a a Triumph that will shoot a inch at 100 yards no problem. I shoot 105grs of T7 with a 250gr shockwave bullet. Plenty of power for deer out to 200 yards, that is about as far as I shoot muzzys.

 

[Bigeclipse]

I ended up going with the optima v2. only found 777 pellets for now but looking to use blackhorn. alrady have the blackhorn breech plug. currently with the 777 pellets I'm able to shoot about 1.5moa at 100 yards using 250 grain sabots. Hopefully with the blackhorn I can squeez a bit more speed and maintain or increase accuracy. I'd like to be able to shoot 200 yards on deer.

 

[Brad615]

I have both the t/c omega z5 & the cva accura v2 camo stainless. Both are great & very very accurate! Yes the t/c loads a little more tight however after working up a load for it I did get it to shoot hole in a hole at 100 yds using a dead center 240 gr with 2 white hots & a federal 209 primer, however forget about the two whitehots at 200 yds would not group for nothing plus the dropoff was horrible. I then switched to blackhorn & it shot 1&1/2-2 inch group at 200yds. My accura is a awesome accurate killing machine as well & I'm still working up a load for it however I am using blackhorn 209 powder so it takes a little more time then just dropping in two whitehots. The blackhorn is going to give a lot better option for longer shots then the whitehots. So depending on how far you want to hunt will determine what load you go with. Not to jump on the blackhorn band wagon but it is the best powder I have worked with! Super accurate & very very easy to clean! If it was me I would buy either the t/c or the cva & you wont go wrong with either both top of the line & very accurate! Also no matter what distance you will want to hunt with you will have the weapon to do it. As far as the stainless on the cva as long as you wipe it down after shooting & take care of it as you should with any firearm the stainless barrel will never be an issue IMO!