inline muzzleloader choices

Can't offer any input because my only inline is a CVA Optima V2 pistol, which I flat out love. Stainless, 209 ignition and recoil that wallops. Please let us know what you choose. Could be wrong, but I don't see many inline threads here. Don.

Bought a TC Impact for $225 and think it is a good choice. TC's other models are way more expensive. A basic in-line muzzle loader is all you need but to keep sales going they keep coming out with new features like quick release breach plugs which are not really needed. The CVA guns are less expensive and come with more features but they are not made in the U.S.

As far as inlines go, I'm partial to the TC Encore. It is a bit out of the price range you listed, but it is one heck of a rifle. Here in Michigan in the Southern part of the state it is not legal to hunt deer with a centerfire rifle. It is commonly referred to as the shotgun zone, but you can also use a muzzleloading rifle. I have a couple of buddies who both hunt that area and they both gave up their rifled shotguns and exclusively hunt with their 50 cal TC Encores. After shooting one I had to have one of my own.

CVA Optima V2. If you need an inline this one is a good deal. It has a target grade barrel, a really nice trigger, easy to remove breach plug, stong/solid scope mounts, stainless, break open action, very handy feel, and well put together. And under 300 dollars. Check out Cabela's.

The inline companies crank out new variation all the time so it's tough to keep up on the variations, but..

When figuring on what you're going to buy, remember that in many cases the iron sights that come with them (if they have sights at all) are large and clunky, so to get any real accuracy, you're going to need to buy a scope as well. Figure in the cost of a good scope too.

LD

I agree , CVA Optima V2 .

I really like the Traditions Vortek Strikerfire I picked up from http://www.muzzle-loaders.com/rifles/traditions/traditions-vortek-strikerfire.php With the striker fire you don't have to worry about having room between a scope and the hammer so I was able to mount a scope with low rings which helped with the cheek weld. Rifle shoots great with 110 grains of Blackhorn 209, Harvester crushed rib sabot, 300 grain XTP and CCI 209m primer.

I hunt with a quite inexpensive CVA Wolf. It's VERY accurate with 385 grain Hornady Great Plains minies. It has a quite crisp and light enough trigger. I have a couple of sidelocks, but this rifle is so easy to clean after shooting and so easy to load and UNLOAD, plus I get GREAT ballistics with 777 and great accuracy. I do have a scope on it as my eyes were never that great in the first place and they're older. 100 yards and in, about all I have in the woods here, dead deer.

I'm sure the TC is a good gun, but I'm also sure they want more for it. For the money, the CVA Wolf is hard to beat. Hell, it's hard to beat, anyway!

In Ohio they sell the CVA cheapos for under $200 at Walmart, and they shoot great!

My wolf was on sale at...of all places....Gander Mountain for $170. Normally, I just go to Gander to look. But, sometimes they have something on sale that ain't bad.

I have both a CVA Wolf and an Encore 209/50 muzzle loading rifle. Of the two, the Wolf is slightly more accurate with my preferred Lee .50/350 R.E.A.L. bullet with 2 Triple seven or Pyrodex pellets. That may be due to the fact that the Wolf is converted to fire from .25ACP cartridges instead of #209 shotgun primers. Both guns shoot 300 grain .451 slugs with sabots, but the accuracy edge goes to the Wolf. Still, I cant complain of 3", 5-shot groups at 100 yards with the Encore, but the CVA Wolf shaves this to about 2". Wipe the bore in between shots with a damp patch, load the pellets and seat the slug. What could be easier? The Lee R.E.A.L. slug is a real game-getter out to about 125 yards.