Author Topic: Tough choice on first inline (Read 3811 times)

unclecheech · « **on:** August 25, 2007, 01:53:00 AM »

Looking to get my first inline, have used a Hawken for a few years as well as my NEF Topper. I like the Sidekick (brand loyalty), but also the Traditions Pursuit, and Remington. I saw an MDM that was short barreled and i hunt a popup blind, so that would fit nicely as well. Looking for some input from some of you folks who have tried these rifles or own them. Just pros and cons, all things we buy will have them so be honest with me. Thanks all and keep your powder dry.

PA-Joe · « **Reply #1 on:** August 25, 2007, 05:05:51 AM »

Can't go wrong with an NEF! cloverleafs at 100 yd.

crkempton · « **Reply #2 on:** August 26, 2007, 05:42:36 PM »

I personally own a CVA Optima and i love it. It is my first muzzleloader, and i shot my first elk with it this past fall. It has been nothing but reliable. My father on the other hand has a Traditions Pursuit which he had trouble when he first got it. The action originally would pop open just as a load was discharged. This continued to happen until it was worn in. The lip on the pursuit that holds the action together is very small, about 1/8" where as the optima is a good 1/2". Both guns shoot very accurately, but if i had to choose one it would have to be the CVA, it has just seems more reliable. I'm not too familiar with the NEF so they might also be a good option. Good luck! -Cody K

kb · « **Reply #3 on:** August 27, 2007, 01:31:59 AM »

In-lines I have experience with are the MDM Buckwacka, Encore, and the Savage ML ll.

The Buckwacka is a nice short barreled bambi blaster. It will handle 150g loads with no problem, but it does kick like a mule. It will shoot minute of whitetail out to 100 yards. Its small and reliable. Best I have gotten was 1 1/2 inch groups at 100 yards. I have no regrets with this one.

The Encore is a little finicky. Shoots great, and I like the ability to change barrels to a center fire. It is over-priced in my opinion. Best I have gotten was 1 1/4 groups at 100 yards. The barrels are very tight, and if you go for a center-fire ML, use the MMP HPH24 sabot. Its .02 inch undersized to make loading a tad easier. They are over priced, but they do offer a lifetime warranty.

The Savage ML ll is by far my favorite. It shoots 7/8 inch at 100 yards with SMOKELESS powder. Nice flat trajectory, easy clean-up, and no blow-back. It can shoot any of the BP subs, and smokeless as well. Im shooting at 2300+/- fps, which is a mid-level load that is easy on the shoulder and very effective on game. It can reach out to 200 yards IF the shooter is capable. Totally no regrets here.

All that said, I am in the process of sighting in a 38 inch Lancaster style flintlock in .54 caliber for this season.

Good luck with your decision,

kb

Double 30 · « **Reply #4 on:** August 27, 2007, 04:45:28 AM »

You may want to consider the T/C Omega.I love mine. Easy to clean is a great understatement and acuracy is excellent.My Z5 shoots right around 2 inches for 3 shots at 100 yards with a variety of loads.They have a lifetime warranty and are not very expensive.Paid $ 275 for mine.

elkstalkr · « **Reply #5 on:** August 27, 2007, 06:00:37 AM »

If your state lets you use smokeless, I reccomend a savage

manofthe45 · « **Reply #6 on:** August 27, 2007, 06:38:42 AM »

Out of what you listed I would recommend the NEF.(Yes I said it)

The omega is made with a shorter barrel along with a regular lengh barrel. The Encore also has a 20" available. Either of these would be my top pick.

The MDM would come in after the omega and encore.

A CVA recommendation will never come from my corner.(Hopefully this statement does not offend the CVA Gestapo since freedom of speech and personal opinions are not allowed when discussing anything CVA)

SHOOTALL · « **Reply #7 on:** August 27, 2007, 07:53:42 AM »

encore or savage ! NUFF SAID !

Redhawk1 · « **Reply #8 on:** August 27, 2007, 09:47:21 AM »

ENCORE.

mangulator · « **Reply #9 on:** August 27, 2007, 02:25:21 PM »

NEF or CVA!

K.K · « **Reply #10 on:** August 27, 2007, 02:39:43 PM »

Encore..Great stock design, versatile, easy to operate, accurate, simple to maintain, changes from rifle to shotgun to muzzleloader to handgun. Awesome system.

unclecheech · « **Reply #11 on:** August 29, 2007, 01:13:12 PM »

thanks all, i do like the feel of the omega, and i didn't realize they made a shorter barrel. for my needs of a popup blind/stalk gun, this will work just fine. Thank you all for your input, now to find a scope....

30-06man · « **Reply #12 on:** September 01, 2007, 02:49:04 AM »

nikon prostaff for ml cheap and still 90%light transition $130 can't beat that. or the nikon buckmasters if you want more $200

AndyHass · « **Reply #13 on:** September 01, 2007, 07:50:18 AM »

From your list, I'd go NEF. I have no knowledge of MDM. IMHO stay AWAY from Traditions. I have owned two and they were low-quality and downright dangerous in the firing mechanism arena (though accurate).

Within that price range, depending on personal choice, Some like CVA, the NEF, or one of the lower-end Omega models. The Encore is pricier.

The X7 version of the Omega is short, light, and comes with peep sights. I bought one of those for my woods gun.

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #14 on:** September 01, 2007, 07:58:03 AM »

If you can find them, The Winchester Apex is a great deal. I missed out of my chance when cabelas was selling them for $200

30-06man · « **Reply #15 on:** September 01, 2007, 08:03:05 AM »

the bass pro in nc had the apex on sale they were the display models that were sitting out and they are all beat up. it was stainless or nickel and mossy oak but they were heavy 8lbs or more. and i wouldn't pay $200 for them.

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #16 on:** September 01, 2007, 09:41:53 AM »

if they were display models and all beat up, no $200 is to much. Then again, the stainless steel/camo was around $460 new at the time. 8lbs is a nice rifle that will tame recoil. I dont get why guys want these light, 6 1/2lb rifles when they sit in tree stands. All of my rifles are over 8lbs and i love carrying them when im hunting.

Swampman · « **Reply #17 on:** September 01, 2007, 09:55:53 AM »

BassPro Shop has the Knight Wolverine for $200.00. It's an American made rifle with a Green Mountain barrel. It comes with everything needed to shoot it but powder and primers. This is a fantastic rifle at a fantastic price.

Just don't buy a Spanish made gun.

30-06man · « **Reply #18 on:** September 01, 2007, 10:01:42 AM »

yeah but i don't hunt in tree stands that much. i like going up to the mountains to hunt. it weights way too much for me to handle. my heaviest rifle is my Remington model 700 with Leupold scope and it only weights 7 1/2 lbs. thats a good deal on that knight though but i had bought a traditions lightning lightweight for $99 there and it was light and balnaced well, it was accurate on open sights but then i mounted a scope and it was blowing gasses through the screw holes for the bases and strangly they went all the way to the reciver tradions said that they wouldn't do anything about it so i just threw it in the trash. i won't buy another traditions but ill look at cva and begara barrels.. just not traditions

Swampman · « **Reply #19 on:** September 01, 2007, 10:13:12 AM »

My guess is that the CVA & Traditions are made in the same plant in Spain. The Knight is made in Georgia.

30-06man · « **Reply #20 on:** September 01, 2007, 10:57:03 AM »

no. cva is nice i am thinking about a optma eliet. traditions is cheap. they make guns for the "value" hunter as i have been told and found out.

Quote from: 30.06man on September 01, 2007, 10:01:42 AM

ill look at cva and begara barrels.. just not traditions

Illhunter · « **Reply #21 on:** September 01, 2007, 11:31:55 AM »

I have a nef and love it but if i was to buy another it would be another nef or a savage although the lyman mustang looked good to these would be my 3 choices.

Terry

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #22 on:** September 01, 2007, 11:36:54 AM »

no cva and traditions are not made at the same plant. Ever since BPI took over CVA, they've improved quality big time. I own a traditionals flintlock and while its a great shooter,it just doesnt have the quality that i see in my cva flintlock. I actually have a cheap cva staghorn coming in on monday. Great little cheap rifles and they are good shooters. Figured i may as well pick it up for $60 + shipping and use that as a camp rifle so i dont hurt my winchester.

30-06man · « **Reply #23 on:** September 01, 2007, 11:49:47 AM »

ain't much going to hurt that winchester or that cva. cva makes a good gun, i really like the optma eliet combo and i might buy it. i know i am going to buy begara barrels for my encore

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #24 on:** September 01, 2007, 11:56:39 AM »

i darn near bought an 06/ .50 combo optima elite some months back. I just couldnt see myself buying another $300+ inline while i already have one that shoots great. Maybe i'll hold off until they come out with a laminated stock elite. I never owned a rifle with a laminated thumbhole so i may as well make my next inline something ive never had before.

As for hurting the winchester. I meant "hurt" as in taking it along camping and putting needless wear and tear on it. Shes coming hunting with me next week as my 3ed back up.

30-06man · « **Reply #25 on:** September 01, 2007, 01:43:24 PM »

yeah. i thought they had it in the thumbole lamanated i know you can buy that stock aftermarket in cableas or basspro. its a cva orginal part though. the one i been looking at was a .308 50cal combo blued realtree hardwoods stock for $500. it has a great trigger. i might take the t/c out sometime soon and the remington 700 see what comes along.

Buckskins & Black Powder · « **Reply #26 on:** September 01, 2007, 02:07:38 PM »

try www.budsgunshop.com or even www.gunbroker.com for the elites. buds has some darn good prices.

30-06man · « **Reply #27 on:** September 01, 2007, 02:24:35 PM »

yeah i am a member of gunbrokers forums but i haven't bought anything from them yet. i will but just looking around they have some good deals. my gun shops had some good deals i just like the spiderweb synthtic stocks.

oneshotonekill · « **Reply #28 on:** September 04, 2007, 02:27:12 PM »

Another option you could look into is one of the TC black diamonds. They can be found for less than $200 new and they have a 22.5" barrel on the standard model which works well in the confined space of a blind. When I hunt from a ground blind that is exactly what I use and it has worked great so far. They are usually pretty accurate with the green mountain barrel, the only negative thing with them is that the breech is exposed and you will get some blowback.

30-06man · « **Reply #29 on:** September 04, 2007, 04:06:09 PM »

the black dimond is a good gun you can buy covers for the blow back. if your in that price range then why not the omega?