first time muzzle loader hunting, need a mule deer rifle

Oldhunterdeadeye · Jun 26, 2016

I am the lucky draw of a late (November into December) Nevada mule deer draw, Muzzle loader. I have hunted high power rifle for years and have worked up and loaded my own rounds. So I know lots about smokeless powder loading but nothing about muzzle loading. I need recommendations on what rifle to buy and what bullets to use and about working up a load. I am leaning to a TC bone collector but will listen to any ideas on rifles. Please give me your ideas on what rifles, bullets and powder. Nevada doesn't allow scopes but other than that anything goes. Please help this old mule deer hunter. Eyes are going bad so I need to get close to that trophy buck.

sjhgraysage · Jun 27, 2016

I like Knight muzzleloaders, That said if you are not planning on doing a lot of muzzleloader hunts in the future my suggestion would be look at both the TC you mentioned and the CVA inlines - Optima or Accura or Wolf.
I would probably also suggest you try to build a load around the Barnes 250 to 290 grain sabot bullets probably the TEZ.
Blackhorn 209 is great powder but has its own learning curve and is quite expensive. Triple 7 powder will give nearly the same speeds but has some issues that need to be dealt with like swabbing between shots to remove the "crud ring" especially when used with shotgun shell primers for ignition.
Also those of us with aging eyes usually do better if we use a rear peep sight if scopes are not allowed.

Oldhunterdeadeye · Jun 27, 2016

Thanks sjhgraysage. I will look into Knight muzzleloaders. I will get a gun I will like, who knows, I may be doing lots of muzzleloader hunting. Also I will take note of your comments on bullets and powder.

Zeke · Jun 27, 2016

I was at the range yesterday shooting my Rem Ultimate and a friend had asked me to mount his scope and shoot his new little CVA. It shot very well, 1.35" group at 100 yards with 100 gr by volume of BH209 and 250 Hornady bullets and 3 petal MMP sabots. Speed was +/- 1885 fps.

It was a sweet little carry rig and it's everything a guy would need for practical distances w/o a scope.

CVA is a real winner for a lighter rifle than mine.

My Ultimate shot 1.75", 5 shot group at 2200+ fps with 136 by volume BH209 and Parker Ballistic extreme 275gr w/ short black MMP sabots. I might slow it down a bit to see if the groups tighten a little.

There's a couple options for you that are almost polar opposites.

Zeke

Oldhunterdeadeye · Jun 27, 2016

Thanks Zeke. I have been looking this morning about the Remington Model 700 LSS Ultimate Muzzleloader. Very interesting. I get concerned that states will outlaw guns like this. What you think.

mntman · Jun 27, 2016

I love my cva optima, dad shot his bull with it at 200 yards (1 power scope) He was using white hots and barnes TMZ ( I think- they are the sabots with yellow jackets). In that set up it shot good for him. I used it in 2015 and shot a bull at 220 yards (open sights) except I used blackhorn 209 and the new 270 grain federal premium copper bullets.
This is a great setup for me, and will continue using it. Not sure of cost vs other mzldrs. Dad bought it for his hunt then gave it to me after his hunt. I think they are on the lower price scale if that is an issue to you though.

I am not a mzldr expert like these other fellas on here, its my first one and definitely a beginner

Mntman

"Hunting is where you prove yourself"

Kokanee_Slayer · Jun 28, 2016

Last year I bought a CVA Acurra V2 muzzleloader and experimented with different powders. I feel that i have found the sweet spot of my CVA. I shoot 100 grain (2 50 Grain Pellets) white hots with a Barnes 250 grain Expander MZ sabot bullet. Shot a buck last year with that combo at 117 yards open sight and it dropped him in it tracks
My advice to you is to find a muzzleloader that you feel is best for you. You are on the right track by asking people on this form. Once you find the right muzzleloader just experiment with different powders and bullets until you find your sweet spot. Muzzleloader hunting is addicting and i hope you get a trophy this season.

Good luck my friend.
Happy Trails.
-Kokanee_Slayer

Zeke · Jun 28, 2016

>Thanks Zeke. I have been
>looking this morning about the
>Remington Model 700 LSS Ultimate
>Muzzleloader. Very interesting.
>I get concerned that states
>will outlaw guns like this.
> What you think.

I see no reason that States would outlaw them if they're currently legal.

Here's the good news. You can re-barrel the Rem Ultimate to a centerfire rifle. It would make a sweet LR rig in a 6.5X284, or a 308....or you could re-sell it to someone in a state where legal.

With that said, I seriously doubt it would ever come to a question of legality if you live where it's currently legal.

The plus of the Rem is the accuracy, blistering speed and string-like trajectory (comparatively speaking). The downside is the price, bulk and weight. I think I'll take a rasp to the bulky stock and trim it up a little (or a lot). That thing is a chunk!
Zeke

Zeke · Jun 28, 2016

PS: like mntman, I'm a real rookie at muzzleloading and have very limited knowledge of the sport or available products. My opinions can only apply to my limited experiences with a couple rifles so take what I say with a grain of salt.

That's why I rely on the expert advice that I've received from MM brothers!

Zeke

Oldhunterdeadeye · Jul 11, 2016

Thanks Mntman. With your input and a few others I have decided to get a CVA. I will probably go with a Accura 2. Good luck hunting.

Oldhunterdeadeye · Jul 11, 2016

After reading everyones input and looking at manufacture sites I decided and ordered a CVA, Accura 2 Nitr/FOS. I think it will be sweet. I will check out that load that you use. So on to the fun of siting in and working up what load I like. Thanks everyone.

littlebull209338 · Jul 11, 2016

The bone collector will do just fine but I would suggest going on line and finding a gun smith that has experience on reworking the trigger mechanism. The factory sights work good for my old eyes so I expect you would like them. I shoot Power Belt Platnum 338 grain with Blackhorn 209 powder with 90 grains by volume. I also found that Remington primers work best for me. I have taken deer out to 150 yards but really try to stay under 100 due to my eyes and open sights.