Best Muzzleloader for Deer Season

[owlhoot]

[quote
Having said that. different bores will have different tolerances so your mileage may vary. I've gone to the Hornady SST in the inlines and the sidelocks are shooting buffalo ball-ets.

That is something that a lot of folks don't realize.  There are 6 guys that I hunt with and we all shoot optimas. They can go grab a pack of pre packaged loads of whatever they want and shoot  consistent.  My rifle turned out to have a larger bore so the off the shelf  loads were way too loose  to shoot consistent.  I buy the SST bullets for hand loading then order oversized sabots and it is golden, not to mention cheaper.  My point is that you may have to experiment a little bit to find the right load regardless what rifle you get, and there are way more options than what Bass pro has to offer. So don't give up if what your buddy shoots don't work for you.

x2 on the saving money as there is no reason for paying someone a dollar to put a bullet in a sabot for you  A box of   Hornady xtp for reloading and a pack of sabots work great too.
X2 on the buffalo ballets, work great in 48,60 and 66 twist we have tried.
A good tight fit in the bore has always been a good idea whether patch and ball , maxi ball, ballet or sabot.

[mtns2hunt]

I killed a lot of deer with an Knight, Optima and Thompson Center Pro Hunter and still shoot every muzzle loader I can get my hands on. The best and most consistent I have found is a Thompson Center Pro Hunter in 50 cal. This rifle is easy handling from any stand either on the ground or in a tree. They make two models: one which on which the barrels can be changed (and stock) and allow you to shoot center fire rifle or pistol and the other that is muzzle loader only. I get MOA or SUB with my rifle shooting 200 g shock wave bullets basically the same if not the same as Hornady's SST's. I only use Buckhorn 209. Best part is that shockwave bullets are available at Walmart for under 12.00 bucks for 15.

But even better yet There is a guy named Mike Bellum that specializes in Thompson Center rifles and can sell you things like better springs, trigger kits and instructions on how to tune your trigger. He also does an awesome job on custom work if your rifle needs it. I purchased a whole spring set from him and also an instruction book. My rifle fires like a center fire rifle with MOA or sub, light but crisp trigger and I also purchased a tighter fitting hinge pin and a stronger hammer spring. check out his web site at http://www.bellmtcs.com/store/index.php?cid=593 Nowhere will you find greater support for any muzzel loader in my opinion I am not a paid sponsor just wish to share what worked for me. Strange I thought I was on a Turkey forum? Never mind I am just as crazy about muzzle loaders.

[drenalinld]

Savage smokeless if you can find one and can afford it.

I have a remington I bought new 20 years ago. Shoots excellent but hard to clean. It will last me the rest  of my life. Lots of good options out there  but the 2 I mentioned  are the only ones I have experience with.

Have you put a bolt nose kit on it? If it is a Rem 700ML you can spend about $100 and have the bolt nose converted so it will be enclosed and it will eliminate all of the blow back that is such a PIA with that ML. Then you can shoot the Blackhorn 209 powder and it is one of the best ML's ever made.

[mspaci]

I have owned cva,Thompson, and knight.  Hands down knight is the nicest rifle to date. Avery accurate with all loads and has held up better than the others.  East to clean, and for me handles much better.  Mike

[Kylongspur88]

My vote is T/C. I hunt with an "old" omega. Bought it when they first came out. Killed a big doe with it this past December. It's been a good gun. I've never owned any of the others so can't offer an opinion on them.

[VaTuRkStOmPeR]

I've got a stainless Knight DISC extreme with the thumb hole stock and a Leupold VX2 4-12x40 on top of it. Phenomenal trigger, great accuracy and pleasant to shoot w 110 of lose triple 7 and a 300 grain Harvester Scorpion PT.

I like the simplicity and reliability of the knight DISC platform despite the fact that it is difficult to clean by modern standards. 

[GSLAM95]

Shot a savage smokeless powder muzzleloader for quite a few years with a combo of 65 grains 4198 and a Barnes 300 gr original.  The results were impressive to say the least. 
I now enjoy shooting a custom built smokeless powder Muzzleloader starting with a McMillan stock, Remington 700 ML action, custom breech plug w/tungsten insert, 28" Brux barrel in 45 caliber, Timney trigger and Cerekote finished.  Shooting 70 grains of 4198 and a 270 grain Parker Hunter Match point bullet sized w/smooth die so there is no sabot used.  Topped off with a Leupold VX-6 this thing is fun to shoot long range.   

[flintlockgirl]

I have owned 2 Traditions Deerslayer(I think), they did very well, especially for the price. But for accuracy, I have to stick with my 25 year old Thompson center.