First Muzzle loader

[Tad Houston]

Hi All,
I am thinking about buying my first muzzle loader- wondering what you guys think about the CVA Optima or Optima pro.Also sugestions on .45 or .50 cal. Your responses greatly appriciated- Tad

[RandyWakeman]

My experience with the Optima (two tries) was less than optimal.

If the last several hundreds of e-mails and other communications are in any way indicative, more first time inline buyers have been completely satisfied by the Thompson Omega than any other inline, by a large margin.

There are many, many good choices out there-- I like an Encore, Knight Elite, the Savage, the White 98, and the Austin & Halleck as well, all for different reasons.

In the economy market, the $140 NEF Huntsman and the $199 Knight Wolverine have been heavily commented on favorably, as has the T/C Black Diamond.

[woodseye]

Hi Tad, I just bought a New Frontiers Beartooth ML'er in a quick purchase for a fall ML season. It was $135 at Wally World, not a form 4473 gun like the NEF, shot excellant right out of the box, had zero blow-by to scour the bottom of my scope, needed no capper/decapper to prime, was short and light in weight for a ML'er and shot overlapping holes at 50yds. Did all I could ask for and will be an addition and back-up to my Savage I buy in the next month or so. It would make a great starter gun and is easy to get set-up with a scope also. Just something to consider on the less expensive side that has preformed well for me.

    woods

[Batchief909]

Buy a White Model 97 Whitetail. You'll never need anything else.