Posted: 2/23/2007 10:36:05 PM EDT
|
I sold my ladder rack and my pellet rifle to raise the money I needed to buy the BP rifle I'd borrowed for a Swan Lake deer hunt. It's a CVA Optima 50cal, and I should take posession in the next few days. Mr. Optima, come to daddy;  
|
|
I've come full circle. Started with roundball shootin',sidelock,percusiion gun,20+ years ago. Went to a Knight inline in early 90's (for my wife-I liked the safety) Turns out she started hunting with it A LOT,so I had to buy my own! Nowdays,although I have MANY to choose from,I find myself reaching for a Hawkins and roundball alot of times. And no matter what type of ML,I ALWAYS shoot REAL black-2F. LOVE the smoke and smell! Once BP gets in your blood,there's no turning back! |
I hear ya ak_kid, those nasty things are spreading out all over.  We eat lots of deer meat, plus we've given some to other families. The only BP I've had before is a Ruger Old Army .44 and a couple of those cheapy revolvers. I traded them off for things I wanted more at the time,  , but I think I'll be keeping this Optima.The main things I wanted in a ML are; stainless (or nickle) with synthetic stocks uses 209 shotgun primers uses Pyrodex pellets instead powder you pour This rifle has all of that, plus I've already killed three deer with it so I'm quite satisfied.  |
Good choice on the rifle- I recently sold my Optima Pro Magnum and bought an Optima Elite 50 cal combo that also has a 30-06 switch barrel. A bonus with the Optima Elite is that it is available in a compact stock version (13" LOP) for us hunters who are arm length challenged. Great gun- can't wait to get it in the deer woods this fall. 
|
|
I got a ML this fall after deer season ended, IM going to try and take a deer with 07 season with the T/C I snagged. I have currently posted topic questions in various forums, asking about what is the general consensus on best bullet for a 50 cal (or 45 cal with sabot) anyways, glad you got a ML and good luck. |
| I had a couple cheapy revolvers, and then a Ruger Old Army, but they were never more than a novelty to me. The Ruger was fun to shoot, and was the gun that taught me to grease the front of the cylinder every time (triple chain-fire), but Pyrodex pellets and shotgun primers are a big part of what drew me in. I like the dependability, not having to carry loose powder and not pouring powder into a hot barrel. I also like the new finishes on guns these days, rather than the old blue-and-waiting-to-rust that used to be our only choice. |
When that huge buck comes in at 125 yards, you will wish you had an inline |
I live in utah that "huge buck" is anything over a 2 point, or as it's known around here a "Utah Trophy". I can't have a magnafying scope in Utah either so 125 yards is probably farther then I really want to shoot. I will admit the omega is better to hunt with but I think with a conical and some good sights a traditional would do just fine. They have for many years.I just don't think the inlines are as fun or have the character the traditionals do. |
I've talked with guys who won't use a muzzleloader unless it's got a piece of flint in the hammer, and look down on percussion caps. Variety: Something for everyone. 
|
|
This is my food plot, I have managed my property for 8 years. These bucks dont "stroll by", they "come in".  Here are some that "come in" (sorry for hijacking)           
|