July 10, 2012
By Tracy Breen
For the hunter that likes to carry a smokepole into the deer woods, any five of these new muzzleloaders will get the job done.
Savage 10 ML II Savage Firearms makes an extremely popular muzzleloader called the 10 ML II. This gun comes with many modern day conveniences found on other Savage guns including Savage AccuTrigger, a carbon steel barrel and a synthetic stock. This compact .50 caliber muzzleloader has a 24-inch barrel and has built a large fan base because it is extremely accurate and because it utilizes the AccuTrigger.
Cabela's Hawken Kit For those who enjoy the look and feel of old flintlock muzzleloaders,
Cabela's has a Hawken kit that is available in .50 or .54 caliber. This muzzleloader is made of walnut with brass accents and looks great on the wall or in the field. It has a 29-inch octagonal barrel, case-hardened lock and double-set triggers. The starter kit includes a wooden short starter, powder measure, powder flask, 10-32 threaded patch puller, 10-32 threaded ball puller, nipple wrench, round leather capper, 100 (.010) pre-lubed patches and 25 round lead balls.
CVA Accura MR CVA Muzzleloaders has a new compact muzzleloader called the Accura MR. MR stands for mountain rifle. This muzzleloader would feel right at home in the mountains, thanks to a compact 25-inch barrel that makes it easy to maneuver in a tight spot and quick to the shoulder in the heat of the moment. The MR weighs 6.35 pounds, making it a great gun for packing in and off the beaten path. The weight loss is the result of using an aluminum frame instead of a steel one. Many features that can be found on the Accura V2 can be found on the Accura MR including Quick Release breech plug, Trigger Guard actuated breeching action, Bergara barrel and the WeatherGuard barrel finish.
Thompson/Center Firestorm Some hunters prefer the look and style of a flintlock muzzleloader but the drawback is using old-fashioned powders. Consider that problem a thing of the past.
Thompson Center has a flintlock muzzleloader that can use modern day Pyrodex called the Firestorm. The .50 caliber Firestorm has a removable breech plug, and the Pyrodex Pyramid directs the ignition fire 360 degrees around the base of the pellet. As the pellets move forward, the flame is drawn up through the center of the pellets, creating what Thompson Center calls fire storm in the breech for reliable ignition shot after shot.
Traditions Vortek LDR The new Vortek ultralight LDR from
Traditions muzzleloaders will be popular with hunters who enjoy shooting at long ranges. This muzzleloader comes with a 30-inch barrel. This is the only break-open barrel muzzleloader on the market that comes with such a long barrel. A longer barrel reportedly means more complete powder burn, resulting in more velocity, consistency and down range accuracy. The gun weighs a mere 6.8 pounds!