1st Muzzleloader Purchase Question

[Where's Bruce?]

Whaddaya you ML guys think of the CVA Accura .50 Muzzleloader, CVA Optima Elite .50 caliber or Traditions Vortek .50 caliber Inline Muzzleloader? I have never owned a ML and am thinking about getting one for next year's elk hunt. My priorities are:
1. Prefer a lightweight gun for field work (syn stock, nice butt pad, etc)
2. Prefer modern rifle style, not an original w/ brass butt
3. Straight shooter...unsure about using a scope but seems few people do.

Also, which is better for hunting, ball or sabot? I'm thinking sabot but appreciate any recommendations. Seems like the pellets would be faster than powder but are they better? TIA

[dirtpoor]

Bruce, I'd check the regs in the state you are going to hunt regarding scopes and pellets, Colorado says no scope and no pellitized powder, not sure about MT

[myfriendis410]

You would be well advised to follow dirtpoor's advice. Colorado is a good example. Other states have simply dropped the muzzleloader season altogether.

I would strongly recommend you look at the Thompson/Center Omega. Probably the number one inline in the U.S. Strong, well-made, accurate and lots of accessories.

A sabot in any inline will outperform a round ball down range any day of the week; both in terms of retained energy and terminal performance. Pellets are probably the least accurate means of loading any inline.

[Where's Bruce?]

BP is not something I anticipate doing much of...more of a "Come and join our muzzleloader elk hunt Bruce" kinda thing. May never use it after the hunt again...unless bitten by the BP bug in which case I can step up. Money is exceedingly tight right now so I figured this was a decent deal and enough to get me started. Not the finest firearm in the world but okay for a newbie right? FS: NIB CVA Wolf - Calguns.net (http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=344580)

[myfriendis410]

I'd look at the T/C: they have a new one that is in the lower price range.

[Where's Bruce?]

The breach on this one looks easier to open. I figure it'll take me a while to get the hang of it and the easier it is to use (clean) then the more likely I am to use it. If BP turns out to be my thing then I can go buy a few nice ones but at this stage I may just find I hate it.

[Muir]

These are "Traditional" muzzleloaders now?? ~MUir

[myfriendis410]

These are "Traditional" muzzleloaders now?? ~MUir


So he posted in the wrong forum; no biggie.

[Where's Bruce?]

I didn't know the difference.

[myfriendis410]

Don't sweat it. A modern inline is only loosely similar to a trad gun. If it uses a flint, or a cap, it's going to be discussed here. Your inline would be in the "inline muzzleloaders" section. As I said; no biggie.

[Muir]

So he posted in the wrong forum; no biggie.

Just checking....~Muir