Ok, I'm not a traditionalist and don't want to get in that debate. I've drawn a special late season cow elk hunt unit 3b in AZ "HAM" hunt:Handgun, Muzzleloader, Archery. I'm interested in a new in-line muzzleloader. I have an old CVA Apollo Sporter .50 in-line that used many MZ seasons in Arkansas with red dot (no maginification allowed).

I'm interested in a new in-line and appreciate any feedback and recommendations. I may have access to borrow a Remington 700 Ultimate but at 9+ lbs before a scope may not want to be lugging that around in probable snow conditions. So what say you: CVA, Traditions, Thompson Center, others, models and why?

Thanks THF

I have a Traditions Vortek Strikerfire, LDR, that is northwest compliant. Switched some parts out to let it run 209s, but have a bunch of musket caps for it as well. I haven't killed anything with it yet. It shoots well with open sights (Peep and Globe), and well with a scope.

I bought it for hunting out west in states that require open sights and open breech, and converted it to 209s for hunting in CO and NM. It is very lightweight. That said, I have now bought a CVA Paramount for hunting in states that allow scopes. If you look at going that way, I'd make you a hell of a deal on the Traditions and most of the projectiles I bought to test it out. I just don't see needing it myself anymore, or not for quite a while anyway.

Have a CVA Wolf as well, it is borderline too light.

Honestly, all the brands you list make good muzzleloaders. The things I look for are ease of disassembly, weight (as mentioned above), barrel length (I prefer longer barrels, but some like the handling of shorter barrels), and overall construction (metal vs. plastic takedown lever, etc.).

Muzzle-loaders.com has some good resources.

My current ML rifle is a T/C Encore with a Bergara barrel. I went with the Encore platform for the barrel interchangeability. Have a variety of other centerfire barrels I can switch out in a few minutes. Otherwise, I would probably go with a mid priced T/C or CVA in stainless.

CVA all the way- their Accura line is phenomenal in all regards and I've had great accuracy from everyone I've ever owned. The optima is also a good choice depending on your budget and how often it will get used.

Good luck on your hunt!

Thanks Fitz, good info

thanks Adchunts and duckhunter, I'm leaning CVA Accura but will do some more research and check ou the new Paramount line

Let me know if I can help. Been ML hunting for a little over 30 years now and have made most of the mistakes. I am a well of knowledge regarding things NOT to do.

Never hunted elk but have been hunting deer in TX with an in-line for last 11 years. Have owned two different guns both CVA's and have been very satisfied. Started with an Optima and currently own an Accura. From what I have read, you will probably want to shoot 150 gr load for elk. Keep that in mind when looking at various options to make sure whatever you choose will shoot magnum load if this is the case. I have shot pellets and buckhorn 209 and prefer the buckhorn 209 over the pellets. The paramount looks really good but when I looked at options over the last few months I was not able to locate one in stock not to mention the ELR bullets. I feel pretty comfortable shooting out to 150 yrds but haven't really tried to push it beyond there. Others may have advice there but need to consider effective kill range and accuracy. Again from what I have read, the paramount being 45 cal will reach out further than the 50 cal but other 45 cal options may be limited.

A quick note. I don't think the Paramount is legal for the Arizona HAM hunts. Maybe the Pro Colorado Version, but not the standard or Pro. I would just confirm that prior to buying a Paramount.

And I don't know how I missed that you were hunting 3B. I'll be there hunting a bull elk over Thanksgiving. I don't see any of the HAM antlerless elk hunts in that unit that go after October. When are you going to be there?

Fitz,

What makes you think the Paramount would not be legal in AZ but the Pro or Standard may be?
From my reading of AZ regulations page 102 R12-4-301 defines "Muzzloading rifle" means a firearm intended to be fired from the shoulder, incapable of firing fixed ammunition, having a single barrel, and loaded through the muzzle with black powder or synthetic black powder and a single projectile."

"HAM" season is defined on page 109 under R12-4-318 C. 6. which includes a. Muzzleloading rifles,

If you know or see something different in the regs, I sure want to know

My draw is actually not 3b. Limited Opportunity (HAM) Elk hunt #3128 in Coon Canyon Hunt Area in Unit 1; antlerless elk only Dec 11-31.
Friend has a cabin south of the area and has been doing some scouting. Going to be a tough hunt as is and that why considering MZ vs archery.

Good luck on your Bull. You must have drawn my entry, lol

Drew with 4 points, so pretty excited even if its not the best unit. That's actually the most points I have used on a tag so far.

Fitz,

That's good. My buddy lives in AZ and has not been able to draw that bull tag in that unit.

What makes you think the Paramount would not be legal in AZ but the Pro or Standard may be?
From my reading of AZ regulations page 102 R12-4-301 defines "Muzzloading rifle" means a firearm intended to be fired from the shoulder, incapable of firing fixed ammunition, having a single barrel, and loaded through the muzzle with black powder or synthetic black powder and a single projectile."

"HAM" season is defined on page 109 under R12-4-318 C. 6. which includes a. Muzzleloading rifles,

If you know or see something different in the regs, I sure want to know

I was thinking that the HAM seasons have more limitations on the muzzleloader used than a standard MZ hunt. The Paramount Pro Colorado version is a 50cal, open sight weapon.

My understanding was that the HAM hunts were more similar to New Mexico's primitive weapon hunts. Maybe Utah has HAM hunts with these limitations, which may be what I am thinking of. I was just saying you may want to call and confirm prior to dropping $1000 on a weapon that isn't for sure legal for that specific hunt.

Yep, devil always in the detail and that's why I've been studying the AZ regs and HAM hunt requirements.
I called AZGFD Region I yesterday and they said MZ limitation is only load through the muzzle. Optics/scopes ok, just no illumination or laser.
I know other states do have more detailed restriction/limitations and was my basis for researching before dropping $ on a new weapon...like you said.

Yeah, I double checked and it is the Utah HAM hunts that removes the use of telescopic sights versus the standard hunts. In that case I may have to look into the AZ HAM hunts in the future.

I would recommend the Paramount, Paramount Pro (non-CO version), or something along the lines of an Arrowhead Rifle if you have that sort of coin laying around.

I've had the CVA Accura for a several years and really like it. Every year it is the same routine, pull plug, run a patch down the tube to clean out the bore butter i swabbed it
with from the previous year. Run a clean patch with more bore butter, load with three 50gr pellets and a power belt hollow point, shoot one shot at 100yds to verify. A couple
more patches down the tube to clean, one more with bore butter and load for hunt. Shoot deer, clean gun, put in safe. I go through six 50gr pellets and two hollow point
bullets each year. Once in a while i shoot two deer so add another three pellets and a bullet. My muzzle loader cost are minimal.

This year i traded a 338 barrel for a stainless muzzle loader barrel for my Thompson Encore. Ready to see how it shoots and get it setup for my Dad.

+1 on the Accura,I have hunted with muzzleloaders since 72,starting with a Kentucky long rifle in forty caliber and some others,moved up to the old MK85 then a Lyman mustang.50 which I don't much like but killed a spike at a ranged 218 yards.then discovered the Accura V2

Thanks, I'm trying to find an Accura V2. that was what I was going to upgrade a few years ago with but didn't pull the trigger.