Muzzleloader Choice

[MT_mulies]

I'm looking to extend my season here in Idaho after the archery hunt if I don't get an elk. So I'm looking into buying a nice muzzleloader and the equipment that goes along with it. I've never looked into muzzleloaders till now. Any recommendation that fit the Idaho law. I'm looking for anything under $500 that is a good-great gun. Let me know of what I should look at. Thanks

 

[thisIsKristopher]

I realize that this is an old post but I shall reply nonetheless.

I love hunting here in Idaho with my muzzleloader because as you have pointed out it widens the seasons should you miss tagging out during archery or etc. Plus opening up all the short range weapon hunts that Idaho has to offer.

That being said, good luck getting started with less than 500 dollars if you don't have any muzzleloading equipment at all. I have a .50 cal Hawken that is custom built for lefties like me. Cost 450. Sportmans has right handed ones for $430 right now but you can find a used one possibly for cheaper. Be careful buying a used muzzleloader because if the rifle hasn't been properly taken care of the bore and breach may be in bad shape no matter how pretty the rifle looks on the exterior.

Once you have the rifle purchased, don't forget you will need to buy a keg of powder, a powder horn, a powder measure, percussion caps, a cap dispenser (it is hard to fumble the things on when your fingers are frozen or full of buck fever), ball starter, ball puller, round balls and patches for practice, and maxi balls (conical) for killing stuff. Also a cleaning jag and appropriately sized nipples for your rifle and a nipple wrench.

I keep a spare ramrod in case the primary breaks, (learned that the hard way).

You can get all that stuff for 100 to 150 or so.

Just keep in mind when buying your rifle that in Idaho you may NOT use 209 primers, saboted bullets, copper bullets, scope, and at least some portion of the percussion cap must be visible when the rifle is cocked and ready to fire. (So no fully inline 209 primer rifles).

-Kristopher