Muzzleloader recommendations?

[Old Hunter]

I would stay away from a CVA, even though I own an older CVA .54 cal. If I was to buy a new one I would buy a T/C. Yes the CVA had some problems but not all problems were operator error. If operator error were consistant across the board, then you would have a hell of a lot more failures with T/C, since there are more T/C'S out there than CVA's. Yhis is not the case however. The problem is in Spain where most of CVA's barrels are made.

You might want to check that again. CVA is the #1 selling muzzleloader. TC has law suits too, but they keep them hidden better.

You'll also see Bergara barrels being put on TC's. I never heard of a TC barrel on a CVA.

 

[BKC]

BKC you sound a bit like a bully with your tangent

If thinking that being able to use a scope of any magnification power on a muzzleloader, in Colorado, during a muzzleload only season, while everyone else in the state has to go without a scope during the same season, is being a bully. Then yes, put me down for being a bully.
I could care less if you hunt with a CVA, T/C, Knight, etc... I could care less if you shoot long range or up close and personal. I could care less if you want to wear orange or not when you hunt. But when we are all after the same licenses and the same game in the same state and you have something that others don't have, that is not being equal. I guess you have to ask yourself "what is fair chase and what isn't"

 

[Old Hunter]

I agree with you on the scope. That's why I went back to a sidelock with iron sights. I called up the DOW, and told them to take the disability to use a scope in ML season off. I'll also use the same gun in rifle seasons

Now those with good eyes and inline muzzleloaders have the advantage over me. In rifle season everybody has an advantage. Would that be you BKC?

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I could care less if you hunt with a CVA, T/C, Knight, etc... I could care less if you shoot long range or up close and personal. I could care less if you want to wear orange or not when you hunt. But when we are all after the same licenses and the same game in the same state and you have something that others don't have, that is not being equal. I guess you have to ask yourself "what is fair chase and what isn't"

I think you are being a little hard on people with disabilities. They have every right to enjoy what we enjoy despite being disabled. Do you also have a problem with disabled parking, having wheelchair accessable ramps, curbing and business requirements? You need to put yourself in their situation and THEN make a judgement. If you could not see the sights on a gun and the only solution was a scope or not hunting, what would do?
Get my point.

 

[Maineboy]

I did not know that co had this option for compromised eye sight but when I read this post I liked to see that there are options for hunters that are getting up there in years. When I lose the ability to hunt on public land that will be it for me. Going cookie cutter hunts to continue will not please me. So if there is a way to keep going in the country and seasons I grow to love I'm going to use that aid to do so (if it is legal). As my dad gets older I see how it can be a challenge and you too will get to that point some day. Just something to think about

 

[BKC]

I said from the beginning, that I didn't want to turn this into a handicap issue. If I needed a scope to see what I was shooting at then I could hunt from early September till late December with my rifle with a scope. I could choose to give up on muzzleloading totally or use my muzzleloader during any rifle season and have my scope on it. I could still hunt and get out in the field as I did before. I comend OH on the fact that he decided not to continue use of the scope on his muzzleloader during muzzleload season. CC, Don't be rediculous and use wheelchair ramps and disabled parking in your argument! OH, I'm 52, not a spring chicken but not ready for the retirement home. Youth always will have the advantage.

 

[Old Hunter]

I never used a scope in ML season. I couldn't bring myself to do it. Instead I decided to get even closer. I'm well within bow range now. That's when I decided to go back to a sidelock. I sure didn't need a gun that shoots past 50yds if I can't see any further than that.

It was one of the main reasons I was going to retire, but I figured 50 yd hunting, or even 25 yd hunting is better than no hunting. One thing for sure. The 425gr bullet is going to know the snot out of anything I hit.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

BKC I fail to see the difference in the situations I cited. Handicapped is handicapped, they usually need some assistance to accomplish what you and I take for granted. My Dad, rest his soul, had macular degeneration and couldn't see regular iron sights. He could shoot well enough to kill an elk with my .300 mag and scope, which he did at 90 years old. But if he decided to go M/L hunting, should he be denied the use of a scope on a M/L, I think not, and it appears that Colo G & F agrees also.

 

[Old Hunter]

They give you a form. You take it to your eye doctor to fill out. Then the doctor and the DOW decide if you need a special licence. Mine was a dead bang easy decision, but I still won't use it.

I was told by a few hunters in my area that if they saw a hunter in ML season with a scope they'd turn them in to the warden. I didn't want the hassle, and I didn't want to use it if the hunters felt that way.

If I can get an elk in rifle season with a sidelock and iron sights while they use a scoped rifle. You know i'll rub it in.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

OH...I don't disagree with your decision, it is yours to make. In my Dad's case, he would have had no choice. You would deserve to rub it in Good luck, hope you do well. At our age its just good to get out and be in the mountains with God's creatures.

 

[Old Hunter]

Right you are. I'll just enjoy the hunt with no expectations of a kill.

That way I won't kill myself getting the meat out.

 

[BKC]

BKC I fail to see the difference in the situations I cited. Handicapped is handicapped, they usually need some assistance to accomplish what you and I take for granted. My Dad, rest his soul, had macular degeneration and couldn't see regular iron sights. He could shoot well enough to kill an elk with my .300 mag and scope, which he did at 90 years old. But if he decided to go M/L hunting, should he be denied the use of a scope on a M/L, I think not, and it appears that Colo G & F agrees also.

Well I guess If hunting with a muzzleloader with a scope is that important than I know there are some states that allow the use of this. There are also plenty of high fenced hunts you could go on. If this is that important for 9 days of hunting per year.

Maybe the Colo G & F would rather hand out special hall passes to anyone with just about any disability. This is probably easier than having to go to court with someone all lawyered up using the ADA to get 9 days of hunting in. Here I go again being a bully!

 

[Old Hunter]

Bully is not the word i'd use.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

Yep me neither.

 

[Maineboy]

That was me. Just did not see the point in beating the guy up for just trying to get more years in the woods and I don't see it as an advantage.

 

[dying to kill]

im sure no one will agree with me on this one, but the smoke poles drive me nuts i promise my self every year after the season im gonna sell both of mine, they are a pain in the butt to clean, suck in wet weather, and drive me completly nuts that i can not get two bullets to touch each other at 200 yrds not to mention dangerious i can think of two guys not far from me that have lost their lives cuz of one going off when its not supposed to( one of the guys 4 year old girls got to see the 50 cal take the back of his head off ) in my opinion if i cant get the animal with my hoyt or remington i dont need to get it.

 

[Old Hunter]

What was the situation of the gun going off by accident?

 

[dying to kill]

the one were the 4 year old seen it he had his gun settin by the house door and when some one walked threw it they slammed the door the gun fell and went off, the other a guy was out with his son set the gun on hood of truck it fell off and went off as well, i know they shouldnt have still had their primers in, and i am pretty sure both the models were the inline type that use a a big spring behind the firing bolt instead of the new safer ones that break open like a single shot shot gun, but still i dont much trust them!

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I've been shooting BP in competition for over 20 years. I used to shoot 1000 yard matches with a Sharps and am a Cowboy Action Shooter, shooting 2 to 3 times a month. I shoot somewhere around 2000 rounds a month in matches and practice. Granted I shoot BP cartridge mostly, not M/Lers. But cleanup is very simple (I use water and a touch of simple green). I actually think BP loading is easier than smokeless. Think about it, had to be so the cowboys and buffalo hunters could load their own without a lot of tools. I have also never had a problem with misfires/nonfires when I use my front stuffer. Sure its not a flintlock and does use 209 primers, but if you follow a few simple rules, you won't have much of a problem with ignition in wet weather. I use a balloon over the muzzle to keep the water out...remove prior to shooting of course. The biggest problem I have with moisture is with the trigger mechanism, get a film of rust on it and gets sticky when it gets wet. Thats why I'm getting a new M/L.

The big advantage to M/L hunting here in Colorado is that I get to hunt during the rut. I'm not a bow hunter, never was and never will be. The biggest problem I have see is the attitude of the bowhunters, they don't want the M/L hunters to intrude on THEIR season. Sharing with them is ok with me, hell they could even bowhunt during rifle season too. Makes me no difference.

 

[Old Hunter]

the one were the 4 year old seen it he had his gun settin by the house door and when some one walked threw it they slammed the door the gun fell and went off, the other a guy was out with his son set the gun on hood of truck it fell off and went off as well, i know they shouldnt have still had their primers in, and i am pretty sure both the models were the inline type that use a a big spring behind the firing bolt instead of the new safer ones that break open like a single shot shot gun, but still i dont much trust them!

I'm going to guess they were the plunger type. The have an unusual safety. I bet they weren't set. Muzzleloaders are just as safe as CF guns if you practice safe handling.

It's too bad what happened, but I wouldn't just blame the guns.