Muzzleloaders: Still a Thing?

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From bolt-action rifles to lever guns to AR-15s, there’s an endless supply of guns out there with capacities greater than one. That means you aren’t limited to a single shot when you’re out hunting and that you could have a 30-round mag at your disposal if you’re chasing a tough sounder of hogs. But what about the classic single-shot—the muzzleloader? Is there still a place in today’s modern tech for muzzleloaders? We think so, and we’re going to tell you why.

What’s a Muzzleloader?

Muzzleloaders are firearms that are loaded from the muzzle rather than from the breech of the gun. In the vast majority of muzzleloaders, both the powder and the projectile are loaded through the muzzle. If a gun is loaded projectile from the breech, it’s not a muzzleloader.

There are different types of muzzleloaders with the most common today being the modern inline. An inline muzzleloader is a gun designed so the hammer is lined up with the propellant. Older muzzleloaders often had a side lock, meaning the lockwork was set to one side instead of being straight in line. While some shooters consider the side lock outdated, there are still hunters who enjoy them, and you can find reproductions still being manufactured. One reason hunters prefer modern inline guns is that ignition is typically faster and cleaner due to the placement of the hammer. In a side lock, ignition starts to the side of the barrel and is both slower and starts a burn that can leave useful propellant behind. Like with any firearm, you have to choose the platform that best suits your needs and preferences.

There are a few nuances in the types of muzzleloaders—even with the inline family of guns—but that’s not the focus today.

Can You Hunt With Muzzleloaders?

Yes, you can hunt with muzzleloaders. Most hunters who use muzzleloaders are chasing deer. A lot of states have a muzzleloader-only season. That means mastering the platform gives hunters an extra chance to fill their deer tags. One big pro of hunting muzzleloader season is it puts significantly less pressure on deer than rifle season. There just aren’t that many muzzleloader hunters anymore, and that’s a shame because they’re useful and can be a lot of fun to shoot.

Are Muzzleloaders Slow To Load?

If by slow you’re comparing loading a muzzleloader to slapping a magazine in your AR-15 then yes, it’s slow—or at least slower than loading a complete round. And like with all things, it gets faster the more you’ve done it.

What Do You Need To Hunt With a Muzzleloader?

There’s a list of gear you’re going to want on hand if you’re hunting with a muzzleloader. That’s not any different than a hunt with a semi-auto, it just involves individual components instead of complete rounds and magazines or ammo sleeves. Here’s a basic list of what you might need to get into muzzleloader season.

Supplies:

• Muzzleloader—most likely a modern inline rather than an older flintlock or percussion model.
• Powder—smokeless is cleaner and more efficient with a modern muzzleloader. If you’re using a flintlock or percussion muzzleloader, you’re going to use black powder. Keep in mind propellant is also offered as a pellet which is easier to load but does tend to take longer to ignite.
• Primer—the specific primer depends on the rifle you’re using, but most modern muzzleloaders benefit from using 209 primers which are available from major manufacturers.
• Bullets—yes, there’s a multitude of different projectiles to choose from. Take the time to figure out what works best with your gun and for your needs. Just like complete rounds, all projectiles used for a muzzleloader perform differently.
• Speedloader—they do make speedloaders/rapid loaders, and it’s smart to have some ready-to-go. They make it possible to reload in the field if you need or want a second shot, whether it’s because it failed to ignite or you just need another bullet ready to go. There are also primer caddies that make it easier to keep primers on hand during a hunt. CVA makes a universal speedloader that keeps your primer, powder, and bullet in one unit rather than having separate pieces holding each component.
• Cleaning kit—these are guns that get dirty fast even when you’re using smokeless powder. Get a kit that’s made for muzzleloaders so it has the little tools that make it easier to do things like clean the breech.

Tips for Deer Hunting

The most important thing to do is practice. Don’t just go through loading and firing one time; do it until it’s easy. Familiarize yourself with the gun’s parts and components. Make sure the combination of primer, powder, and projectile is the best for your needs and gives you the results you want. Just because something works for your friend or some guy online it doesn’t mean it’s ideal for you. Be prepared to reload while you’re out in the woods by having a speedloader—or two—ready to go (always, always be prepared for the need to reload).

What’s the Best First Muzzleloader?

Like with any gun, the question of which one is best for a newcomer is subjective. It depends on your existing skills and experience as well as what you’re doing with it. Of course, that doesn’t mean we don’t have a few suggestions:

• CVA Optima V2–.50-caliber rifle with a 26-inch barrel and Quick Release Breech Plug that doesn’t require tools, making it easy to operate in the field.
• Traditions NitroFire VAPR—.50-caliber rifle with a 26-inch barrel and the capability to run Federal’s Firestick, an encapsulated powder charge. The Firestick is relatively new and is a great way to simplify the loading process while also keeping powder dry.
• Traditions Strikerfire VAPR LDR—.45- or .50-caliber models with a 30-inch barrel, making them ideal for longer shots.
• Remington 700 UML (Ultimate Muzzleloader)—a .50-caliber rifle with a  26-inch barrel and classic 700 platform. Big Green warns shooters the use of Blackhorn 209 with this rifle will void its warranty.

When choosing a muzzleloader, look for one with a good length of pull for your size and the useful features you’d prefer. That might be getting a new model compatible with the Firestick powder charge or maybe finding one with a shorter barrel so it’s easier to maneuver. Take the time to find the right rifle for your needs and don’t hesitate to go for a budget-friendly model to get yourself started.

Are Muzzleloaders Still Useful?

The biggest point in favor of running a muzzleloader is getting in on a season where deer aren’t being pressured. It’s a bit like archery season in that you’ll have a higher likelihood of getting on a nice, mature deer than you otherwise would. It also requires you to get that one-shot kill, which is something you should be doing anyway regardless of how many rounds you have loaded in your bolt-action or semi-auto.

READ MORE: Tested True: Browning X-Bolt 2 Pro McMillan SPR

Muzzleloaders have indeed become a niche firearm. It would be sad to see them fall away entirely with the next generation of hunters. The muzzleloader is a platform worth learning and using. It broadens your shooting skills, teaches you more about ammunition components, and makes you really focus on getting that one perfect shot. That and they’re cool (they are, really). Why not add a muzzleloader to your hunting stash?

Check out the CVA Optima V2 here and the Traditions Nitrofire VAPR here.