I'm in the market for a new ML. I last one was a CVA Optima Elite. After speaking with a CVA tech, he recommended getting a newer model as there is no replacement parts for that model. Fair enough.
Looking at a CVA Accura V2 Nitrite
or Traditions
or T/C
Can you tell me which of the Traditions and T/Cs I should be looking at please?
Also
Can anyone tell me about their experience with the Federal Premium B.O.R Bullets.
Thank you
HaYen
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Hi, just giving you my opinion. If I had to choose between JUST the muzzleloaders you listed, some may not agree, but i would get a Traditions Vortek LDR(long distance rifle)with 30" barrel, or any Traditions Vortek where it says it has a 4140 chrome moly barrel.
I'll tell you why:4140 steel is modern rifle steel and that matters, to me anyway. I'll tell you why later.
I HAVE a Traditions Vortek magnum with 209 primers. It is light, has a 1:28 twist, 28" strong fluted barrel that's ported and reamed on the end to start bullets easier. The barrel is very strong. Rated to 150grs BP sub, I use 120-150grs BH209 with 300 grain sabots or 300 to 600 grain cast fullbore flatnose bullets just as accurate. No matter whether I use light sabots with 150grs of powder or heavy bullets with 120grs powder, it will dial in. It wears the scope real well.Mine has the barrel all one piece with the older style breechplug that doesn't have a lot of pressure bearing surface area. They also make a newer "accelerator" type plug that removes easier. For its weight and what loads we use,it's recoil is mild enough for my 120-130 lb petite wife to get good 100-200 yard groups and me even tighter. I sighted it in with 300g MMP sabots/140grs BH209 and I'm also able to use a 540 grain lead fullbores/110grs pwdr with a holdover. The barrel does have good features and Traditions makes some 300-350 grain full copper jacket Spitzer polymer tipped bullets that are great in it too.
Just for info:
That being said you may want to check into a stainless steel Knight muzzleloader, if you're buying new check out the Knight Mountaineer.Its strong. I have an older Knight Revolution and it has a .503 Green Mountain 1137 steel barrel, which is .503 all the way and super accurate. If the Traditions is 6.8 lbs, the Knight is 8lbs all day. Heavier thicker barrel adds weight and it has 209 ignition, direct or with a plastic weather proof jacket used around it. I use the direct and when you cap it the plug swages down the 209 primer for a positive seal. It is great with 209 up to 150grs and is great with .503 fullbores.
The Rem700ML or the newer REM 700UML are both good stainless guns easily converted to smokeless muzzleloaders.I won't convert my 700UML,it already holds 200grs powder.
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Opinions are all different but from your selection i recommend a TRADITIONS VORTEK ULTRALIGHT MAGNUM or a TRADITIONS VORTEK STRIKERFIRE MAGNUM. One has hammer,one not. Go to Traditions website,find the one you like,make sure it has the 4140 chrome moly barrel,then I'd go to Buds Gun shop online and order it there, it'll be way less expensive. I can vouch for the barrel because I tested a Tradition Vortek with a real hot and heavy load,past anything near safe. It was discharged while in a sled, and it flew back several feet & penetrated wayyy more than usual, but did not fail,come open,bind the breech plug or nipple,or exhibit any damage more than a poofed out 209 primer. That Traditions Vortek chromoly is STRONG. With your choice load,you can have a 250 yard deer,elk,moose load or even great bears as long as there's backup. I'm hunting in the South now so am sighted in to 100 and 200 yards now and use .50/.458 caliber,MMP sabot with 300gr Ballistic silvertip 45-70 component bullets.Ger about 2000+ fps.according to the powder bottles.Traditions will send you a catalogue if you call, and their customer svc was good to me, sent me free fiber optic pipe replacement.Traditions Vortek.
