Black Diamond or Bighorn? Any opinions?

[Shamus99]

Greetings - I am getting ready to purchase an inline and have narrowed it down to these two contenders.  Since Oregon has very strict laws on open breech and cap type they are about it.

Are these pretty evenly matched as far as features, ease of cleaning and accuracy?  What advantages does one hold over the other?

Also, I've looked at the Mk-85 and System 1 inlines from Knight and T/C also, are they comparible in performance?

[Two Bears]

Bighorn all the way!

They shoot awesome and are not picky on which loads that are stuffed in it.
I have had one for many seasons and it did me well. I wish I did not sell it but I just had to have the latest new rifles so it went by by. :cry:


Two Bears

[slayer]

What does the Bighorn look like? I want a Black Diamond, but............ Jack.

[Busta]

What does the Bighorn look like? I want a Black Diamond, but............ Jack.

Like this:

http://www.knightrifles.com/catalog.aspx?catID=Muzzleloaders

[chickenlittle]

For an open breech, I'd look at a White Rifle.  Very happy with mine.  Just won't find them at your local shop.

[Shamus99]

For an open breech, I'd look at a White Rifle.  Very happy with mine.  Just won't find them at your local shop.

I've heard and read alot of good things about White also, but I also hear and read that they are in financial trouble of late so I am a little hesitant to jump onboard.

I've also run across a T/C Firehawk locally and I'm considering it also - any thoughts on how it compares to the BD and the BH?

[Wolfhound]

The Firehawk is pre Black Diamond. It has a nonremoveable breechplug and has an oddball twist (1-38 I believe). It's the same action as the Black Diamond. It would be a good one if you are restricted to conical bullets.

If it were me though, I'd go with the Bighorn. They're easier to clean because the plunger comes out in one piece vs. the Black Diamond's multiple pieces.

[slayer]

Thanks for the pics. I forgot about that plunger type firing on the Knights, I think the B/D looks better also. I bet they are both top notch quality though. I may just buy a NOS Firehawk. Jack.

[snicker]

I am still shooting an old T/C Thunderhawk which is pre-FireHawk (actually the same gun with a different striker) and it has the 1:38 twist.  I don't think I would call it odd.  It will shoot sabots with the same accuracy as it does Powerbelts and Maxi-balls.  And it shoots them pretty accurate.  The only problem with the Thunderhawks and Firehawks are they take a little longer to clean properly.  Also they seem to be more balanced than the Black Diamond.

[Shamus99]

Thank you to everyone who responded - I appreciate it!

I have decided to go with a White.  After looking at the options I will get either a Super 91 variant with laminate and a telfon coated barrel or a G-Whitetail kit w/fancy walnut and s/s.  Both would look really pleasing to the eye and while I think the Super 91 would be a better (slightly) shooter in the ranges I'll be shooting sans scope, the Whitetail kit is pretty tempting too.

The support for these is there and will be for a long while, plus, any extra parts I might need I can grab if I am really concerned.  From what I've heard/read, replacing parts on them isn't really a concern anyway.

There is something to the Whites - an additional level of care, elegance of design and attention to detail that sets them apart from the others I was considering, thanks in large part to the man himself.   Of course they cost more, but I doubt I will have a desire to buy something else to replace it with later, and I have no doubt that they will shoot very well indeed.  

Thanks again to everyone for there help!  I look forward to posting range reports and pics in the future.