I'm scheduled for a ML hunt for elk next year. I know next to nothing about front loaders and thought I might get some advise here on what rifle to choose. I'm looking for simple, flat shooting, accurate and with an adjustable trigger. Other than that I'm open to any suggestion.

THX

Mark

Mark, I PMed you.

This section is very broad. Traditional and modern M/L hunters try to share this area.

If it is a modern set up you want, call me.

Rather important to know where you intend to hunt the Elk. Some states have specific requirements that make some choices of rifles less desirable. Thompson Center for one is rather hit and miss as to how they will shoot full bore conical bullets which some states require. Most states require a .50 cal although Arizona does not. Most elk states do not allow smokeless powder so the Savage is pretty much not a good choice although it will shoot other powder but not as well as rifles that are black powder specific. The only flat shooting .50 cal rifles are those custom ones out of Michigan that require a shooter that is not recoil sensitive, and even then the trajectory is pretty curved compared with cartridge rifles.

ML -----pleez fill in the blank-------whom is the Michigan manufacture that you refer to??
Inquiring minds want to know
G

quote:

Originally posted by MLKeith:
Rather important to know where you intend to hunt the Elk. Some states have specific requirements that make some choices of rifles less desirable.

+1

MLKeith,
Just curious as to why you say a Savage ML will not shoot BP or other sub's as well as guns that are specifically for BP or sub's? I currently own two Savages as well as a T/C Encore and an Omega and I'll be darned if I can see them shooting any better than the Savage with BH209...or T7 when I used that. I will admit that if I were limited to only non-smokeless powders I would likely not buy the Savage, mostly because of their cost.

I've been very happy with my TC Triumph & Blackhorn 209 powder with a wide range of bullets. No need for an adjustable trigger - perfect from the factory.

Mark,

Let's talk about this in AZ...I have a few opinions !

Go with a T/C Encore, they have really done great things with this smoke pole.

I am also favorable to the t/c encore

The T/C is way overpriced for what you get.

As far as uaing a Savage for other than smokeless my concern is that it is a little more complicated to clean due to the smokeless requrements in the breech area and it is pretty heavy compared with "standard" (non-smokeless) type of muzzleloaders. I'm sure it will perform just as well but not worth the extra money and complication. If you check the internet for magnum muzzleloaders I think you can find the expensive ones that shoot very heavy loads. Personally I have no need for such range or recoil.

OK, I did the legwork. If you want to spend a lot of money and want a rifle that will kick the crap out of you contact:

Ultimate Firearms in Michigan
or
BP Express in Washington
or
Bad Bull in Kentucky

The Ultimate was the one I was referring to in the first message. These either shoot smokeless or some use up to four pellets (200gr. of powder). They are made on centerfire rifle actions with very special breechplug designs.

Accurate, adjustable trigger...

CVA Apex is a hell of a shooter for us.