Best All-Around Muzzeloader

hoshour

Veteran member
I'm strongly considering getting a muzzleloader so I can hunt Colorado deer more often. I'm considering the CVA Accura 2 and the Optima, though I'm open to opinions on other brands.

I'm most interested in accuracy with belted slugs, all-around quality and ease of use and cleaning. I'm also thinking of putting a peep sight on it. I'd like to keep it under $600.

Any comments?
 

woodtick

Veteran member
Feb 24, 2011
1,492
0
Jim Bridger County, Utah
I've enjoyed my Accura 2 and my new Knight Ultralight. The CVA is inherently more accurate just from the weight and I've found a really great for it using Hornady FPB's, the Knight is coming a long but still needs some tuning. I'd put money on my Accura against any T/C or Traditions.
 

Team Kabob

Very Active Member
May 9, 2014
793
148
My buddy loves his CVA and I love my encore. Both are accurate and will drop some big game.


-)---> ¥
Got him!
 

bdan68

Active Member
Nov 13, 2013
311
45
Rochester, Washington
I'm also thinking about buying a CVA Optima. I considered the Acura but the Optima at only $300 is more in my price range. I love the idea of having a breech plug that is removable without any tools. Mine will be the Northwest model, since I'll be using it in Washington, and possibly Oregon and Idaho. So it will use the musket caps instead of the 209 primers.
 

Kentucky hunter

Active Member
Jul 22, 2013
275
0
loretto ky
I'm strongly considering getting a muzzleloader so I can hunt Colorado deer more often. I'm considering the CVA Accura 2 and the Optima, though I'm open to opinions on other brands.

I'm most interested in accuracy with belted slugs, all-around quality and ease of use and cleaning. I'm also thinking of putting a peep sight on it. I'd like to keep it under $600.

Any comments?
Wouldnt trade my T/C ProHunter for anything its worth every $
 

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
There was a time when I wouldn't buy a CVA. They have come a long ways in my opinion. I've been shooting a T/C Omega for the last 10 or so years and really like it. The new easy to remove breech plugs are sure nice though. All muzzleloaders can be cantankerous, some shoot better than others, that's just the way it is. I have no brand loyalty when it comes to muzzleloaders. All the big names put out good ones and bad ones.

The one thing I would look at is wether or not you want a drop breech, break action, or bolt style. I personally do not like the bolt type like the Knight or Remington. Knights are sweet guns, but some of them will be pushing your budget. If I were in the market I'd be looking at the T/C Pro Hunter, the CVA Acura, then the Knight Mountaineer... probably in that order.

What "belted slugs" are you referring to?
 

hoshour

Veteran member
What "belted slugs" are you referring to?
I'm not sure which ones to use, I would be brand new to muzzleloading so I am looking for opinions. I just know that Colorado doesn't allow sabots, scopes or pelletized powder.

In fact, in re-reading the regs it looks like a peep sight would also be off-limits, since they say, "Any muzzle-loading rifle or smoothbore musket with any sighting device other than open or “iron” sights is prohibited."
 

CrossCreeks

Veteran member
Mar 6, 2014
1,023
0
Dover, Tennessee
I have a Knight Inline and really like but I have considered the CVA and the Optima because I think they are more accurate at longer ranges ! I have also considered a new T/C but not sure if their as accurate either ?
 

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
I'm not sure which ones to use, I would be brand new to muzzleloading so I am looking for opinions. I just know that Colorado doesn't allow sabots, scopes or pelletized powder.

In fact, in re-reading the regs it looks like a peep sight would also be off-limits, since they say, "Any muzzle-loading rifle or smoothbore musket with any sighting device other than open or “iron” sights is prohibited."
I don't use a peep but you should be OK to use one. I would look at Thor bullets first, then go to the FPB's if the Thors don't group for some reason. BH209 for powder, or maybe T7. I've used both with good results. The good thing about BH209 is you don'y have to swab between shots. Go handle a few of the muzzleloaders and see which one feels good to you. Of the one's mentioned in this thread I don't thin you can go wrong. You just have to find the right powder, bullet combination for any of them and you should be good to go!
 

hoshour

Veteran member
I don't use a peep but you should be OK to use one. I would look at Thor bullets first, then go to the FPB's if the Thors don't group for some reason. BH209 for powder, or maybe T7. I've used both with good results. The good thing about BH209 is you don'y have to swab between shots. Go handle a few of the muzzleloaders and see which one feels good to you. Of the one's mentioned in this thread I don't thin you can go wrong. You just have to find the right powder, bullet combination for any of them and you should be good to go!
From what I have read, it seems like BH209 does real well. I handled an Accura the other day and it fit me really well - raised it up and it just naturally went right into place.

Which bullet weight do you shoot in the Thor? I was thinking maybe the 300.
 

CoHiCntry

Veteran member
Mar 31, 2011
1,390
21
Colorado Mountains
From what I have read, it seems like BH209 does real well. I handled an Accura the other day and it fit me really well - raised it up and it just naturally went right into place.

Which bullet weight do you shoot in the Thor? I was thinking maybe the 300.
I've been shooting the 250 but I'm gonna get some 300's to try this year. The Accura would be a great choice. If you go that route let me know. I might be able to get you in contact with a guy that can give you a good deal.
 

woodtick

Veteran member
Feb 24, 2011
1,492
0
Jim Bridger County, Utah
Hos, the Accura with BH209 and 350gr FPB's are some deadly medicine!!! I never tried the thors, didn't know they was available til after I had fine tuned the FPB's. I have a quick release mount from Leupold on mine and when I want I can slap on my 3x9 scope and hunt some of our late cow tags here in Utah with it. Needless to say I dropped a cow at 215 yards a couple years ago with it, complete pass through with some serious internal damage. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better setup.
 
Jan 7, 2013
129
0
central Kentucky
The no tool removable breech plug makes cleaning quick and easy on the cva. I've taken better care of the gun because of the ease of use and cleaning.
100% better than previous inline knight.





Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 

hoshour

Veteran member
Hos, the Accura with BH209 and 350gr FPB's are some deadly medicine!!! I never tried the thors, didn't know they was available til after I had fine tuned the FPB's. I have a quick release mount from Leupold on mine and when I want I can slap on my 3x9 scope and hunt some of our late cow tags here in Utah with it. Needless to say I dropped a cow at 215 yards a couple years ago with it, complete pass through with some serious internal damage. I think you'd be hard pressed to find a better setup.
That's what I'm talking about - easier draws than rifle season but the ability to still shoot up to 200 yards. The quick release scope mount is also something I am considering so I have that to go to if I'm not hunting Colorado.