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I've been thinking about getting a muzzle loader and know nothing about them. What is a good brand or bad? Good or bad models? Favorite loads and bullet choices? Are the break open models better than the bolt type? Which are the most foolproof and user friendly? Any info would be greatly appreciated!

I suggest the Thompson Encore!

Get a knight, they have always worked awesome for me.

thompson center omega i love mine 209 primer inline

I did all my hunting for many years with primitive type muzzle loaders. Are family did competition shoots and rondaous for many years. The only reason I switched back to modern rifles for hunting was because I became part of the bifocal crowd and needed a scope to shoot at game accuratly. If you are truely interested in are fire arms history and seriously want to shoot muzzle loaders, I would encourage you to consider primitive shooters. Sorry about my feelings toward modern "muzzleloaders.... As far as I am concerned you might as well be using a single shot 30-30.

My .02 Mel

Thanks guys, Could anyone tell me any pros or cons to the different brands or models? All I know about them is what I've read and they all say their gun is the best! Thanks again

The best thing about the Thompson Encore is for another 280 bucks you can make it any gun you want!

I use a CVA Optima Elite 209 Magnum muzzleloader it is basically the cheaper version of the Thompson’s Encore. Both can be converted to a centerfire single shot with an additional barrel but i would rather just buy a decent bolt action or lever action if i want an rifle. I got the CVA Optima Elite because I am a poor college kid but if you can afford it I would get the Thompson’s Encore the Pro Hunter. The breakdown action is convenient when cleaning the barrel. I would highly recommend a stainless steel barrel its better in the long run for cleaning purposes. The black power is really oxidative on metal just something to consider when buying a muzzleloader. I shoot Powerpelt Bullets and have had good luck with them over the years. You might want to check out some muzzleloader videos on the CVA website.

http://www.cva.com/videos.html

I like the 45 cal better than 50cal. They have alot flatter trajectory.

you need to learn the laws about muzzleloading in washington state. first of all there is no 209 primers alound. i use german musket caps. the number 11's suck. then the gun has to be an open breech which means the primer has to be open to the elements. (air, rain, snow ext.) then it has to be open sights. all these are for the muzzle loader season. now if you use a muzzle loader in rifle season ever thing changes. the best gun for the money that i found for this state is a 50cal winchester. there harder to find since winchester went out of business but every now and the you will see 1 a bi-mart in yakima. hope this helps ya out and now in 2009 you can use pretty much any bullet. in the years past the bullet couold not be jacketed. now you can use coper jacketed rounds. i will stick with my dead center bullets. check out my posts we have been dominating the bucks at notellum creek the last few years with the smoke poles. good luck

the post is in other hunting. titled washington state mule deer hunt. that was 2008 pics. 2009 they got 8 more and i got mine in the late season on opening day.