Best Muzzleloaders Available Today [Field Tested]

Find the perfect muzzleloader for your next deer hunt. This guide reviews six top muzzleloaders available now.

Muzzleloader deer hunting calls you. The challenge of one-shot makes you a better hunter, because getting close means higher success. You need to make the first shot count.

Modern inline muzzleloaders have evolved with the performance and accuracy that rivals some center-fire rifle calibers. Here are six muzzleloaders perfect for deer hunting.

How I Chose The Best Muzzleloaders

I’ve spent countless seasons in the field, from the dense timber of the mountains to the rolling hills of the heartland, and I’ve learned that a muzzleloader is more than just a tool. It’s a bridge to the past, a connection to the hunters who came before us.

Whether you’re after the trophy buck of a lifetime or simply enjoying a day at the range, the experience is defined by patience, skill and a deep appreciation for the hunt. My selections for the best muzzleloaders available today were based on five key criteria: accuracy, ergonomics, reliability, cost, and availability. Here’s my take on the five best muzzleloaders available for today’s hunter.

Best Muzzleloader Spec Comparison

Make/Model	Overall Length (inches)	Weight (pounds)	Barrel Length (inches)	Finish	Stock	Available Calibers	MSRP
Traditions NitroFire Pro Series	41.5	6.2	26	Gray Cerakote	Adjustable polymer	.50	$750
CVA Optima V2	41 or 43, depending on barrel length	6.6	26, 28	Blued or stainless	Textured polymer	.50	Starting at $380
Knight Mountaineer	45.5	8.8	27	Stainless	Laminated	.50	$1,700
Traditions Kentucky	49	7	33.5	Blued barrel, brass furniture	Smooth wood	.50	$550
CVA Accura LR-X	45	8	30	Cerakote FDE or Patriot Brown	Black or Realtree came, adjustable polymer	.45, .50	Starting at $745
Traditions PA Pellet Ultralight Best Overall Inline	45	5.6	26	Cerakote black	Checkered synthetic	.50	$550

Best Muzzleloaders

Best Overall Inline Muzzleloader: Traditions NitroFire Pro Series
Best Value In An Inline Muzzleloader: CVA Optima V2
Best Bolt-Action Style Inline Muzzleloader: Knight Mountaineer
Best Traditional Muzzleloader: Traditions Kentucky
Best Long Range Muzzleloader: CVA Accura LR-X
Best Heritage/Primitive Season Muzzleloader: Traditions PA Pellet Ultralight Best Overall Inline

Best Overall Inline Muzzleloader: Traditions NitroFire Pro Series

NitroFire Pro Series Specs
Length: 41.5 inches
Weight: 6.2 pounds
Barrel: 26 inches
Finish: Gray Cerakote
Stock: Adjustable polymer
Available Calibers: .50
MSRP: $750

For out-of-the-box performance, it is hard to beat the Traditions NitroFire Pro Series. This rifle uses Firestick powder charge technology, a self-contained plastic cartridge that holds the powder and is impervious to weather, so load in the rain, wind or snow, there’s no worry about wet powder. Unloading is just as easy. Just remove the primer and Firestick from the breech. The bullet can stay loaded in the barrel for tomorrow’s hunt or pushed out from the breech end if it is the end of the season.

The stock is adjustable for length of pull to fit your stature and comb height for perfect eye alignment with the scope. The 26-inch ultralight fluted barrel has a 1:24-inch twist rifling called VAPR, which has a faster twist to better stabilize bullets and improve long-range accuracy. I have used 100- and 120-grain Firestick changes with saboted and belted bullets and have had consistent ignition. Accuracy averages 1 to 1.5 MOA across a wide spectrum of bullet types and weights. Yep, that’s a tag filled.

NitroFire Pro Series Deals

Sportsman’s Warehouse	$530
Midway USA	$630

Best Value In An Inline Muzzleloader: CVA Optima V2

Optima V2 Specs
Length: 41 or 43 inches, depending on barrel length
Weight: 6.6 pounds
Barrel: 26 or 28 inches
Finish: Blued or stainless
Stock: Textured polymer
Available Calibers: .50
MSRP: Starting at $380

If you want the performance, ease of use, and accuracy without paying a lot, then the CVA Optima V2 is an excellent choice. It’s a rugged muzzleloader that’s lightweight and not too long, so it is good for still hunting as well as sitting in a tree stand.

I have the plain black and stainless model that comes from the factory with a one-piece Durasight scope mount. I just added a Hawke Vantage IR 3-9x40mm scope designed for slug guns, muzzleloaders and straight wall cartridges. Other features are the easy-to-open trigger-guard actuated breeching lever, the Crushzone recoil pad, the PalmSaver ramrod and a quick-to-release breech plug.

As far as accuracy goes, I have shot sub-MOA three-shot groups with PowerBelt bullets, White Hots pellets, and Winchester Triple Seven 209 primers. Not only is it accurate, but it is also easy to clean. The breech plug uses O-rings to prevent crud from getting into the threads.

Optima V2 Deals

Scheels	$400
Midway USA	$370

Best Bolt-Action Style Inline Muzzleloader: Knight Mountaineer

Mountaineer Specs
Length: 45.5 inches
Weight: 8.8 pounds
Barrel: 27 inches
Finish: Stainless
Stock: Laminated
Available Calibers: .50
MSRP: $1,700

Knight muzzleloaders helped create the modern inline muzzleloader. The Mountaineer is a bolt-action style muzzleloader that helps a hunter easily transition from a bolt-action centerfire rifle to a muzzleloader. It features a 27-inch fluted barrel in steel or stainless (opt for stainless) in .50 caliber with a 1:28 inch twist rate made by Green Mountain. It uses three types of ignition systems: Western No.11 and musket cap nipple (for use in western states with strict primitive muzzleloader laws), full plastic jacket, or 209 bare primer. Knight muzzleloaders built their reputation on consistent ignition and accuracy. In fact it has an MOA accuracy guarantee out to 200 yards.

Mountaineer Deals

Midway USA

$1,500

Best Traditional Muzzleloader: Traditions Kentucky

Kentucky Specs
Length: 49 inches
Weight: 7 pounds
Barrel: 33.5 inches
Finish: Blued barrel, brass furniture
Stock: Smooth wood
Available Calibers: .50
MSRP: $550

When I think of traditional muzzleloaders, I think about side lock rifles that were hand-built by regional craftsmen in the 18th century. One of those regional designs originated in Kentucky.

The Traditions Kentucky rifle is a traditional Kentucky long rifle design with a long 33.5-inch barrel and either a percussion side lock or flintlock. Hunting with a traditional muzzleloader is like taking a step back in time. The Traditions Kentucky is loaded with loose black powder or loose black powder substitute, lubed patch, and ball. The process isn’t complicated, but it requires a powder measure.

The Kentucky is compatible with sabots instead of a lubed cloth patch. Cleaning a traditional muzzleloader is time-consuming. If you are looking to try a muzzleloader similar to the type our forefathers used, the Traditions Kentucky rifle is a good place to start. Start with a percussion model and then work your way to a flintlock.

Kentucky Deals

Midway USA

$550

Best Long Range Muzzleloader: CVA Accura LR-X

Accura LR-X Specs
Length: 45 inches
Weight: 8 pounds
Barrel: 30 inches
Finish: Cerakote FDE or Patriot Brown
Stock: Black or Realtree came, adjustable polymer
Available Calibers: .45, .50
MSRP: Starting at $745

The CVA Accura LR-X is equipped with a 30-inch fluted Bergara barrel, which are known for exceptional accuracy. A long-range muzzleloader seems like an oxymoron, but CVA has pushed the envelope on how far a muzzleloader is effective. The LR-X is easily a 200-yard hunter if you use the correct load and have the talent for long-range shots.

A nice feature with the LX-R is that is compatible with 209 primers and CVA’s VariFlame primer adapter, which uses large rifle primers for improved ignition of magnum powder charges. It also has different breech plugs for using either pelletized powder or loose powder.

Accura LR-X Deals

Sportsman’s Warehouse	$700
Midway USA	$700

Best Heritage/Primitive Season Muzzleloader: Traditions PA Pellet Ultralight

PA Pellet Ultralight Specs
Length: 45 inches
Weight: 5.6 pounds
Barrel: 26 inches
Finish: Cerakote black
Stock: Checkered synthetic
Available Calibers: .50
MSRP: $550

The Traditions PA Pellet Ultralight is a niche rifle that was designed to be used during Pennsylvania’s flintlock deer season. PA law dictates a flintlock only and open sights, and these flintlocks from Traditions have modern features while still being primitive.

The stock is a checked polymer with a rubber recoil pad. The barrel has a corrosion-resistant Cerakote finish, it uses a breech plug, and it can use loose powder or pellets. The barrel twist rate of 1:28 inches is optimized for sabot bullets. This is about as modern a flintlock as you can hunt with.

Midway USA	$540
Sportsman’s Warehouse	$700

Black Powder Choices

Traditional black powder comes in grades from coarse to fine and has a rotten egg smell when fired. It is also very corrosive, so you have to clean your muzzleloader immediately after firing it. Black powder substitutes like Pyrodex, Triple Seven, and Blackhorn 209 mimic traditional black powder, usually with better performance and less fouling. Some substitute black powders come pelletized like White Hots, Triple Seven, Pyrodex and others in caliber-specific 50-grain pellets. Pellets are more convenient to load than loose powder. Firesticks are polymer cartridges that encapsulate the powder charge in 80-, 100-, and 120-grain amounts. Firesticks make loading and unloading infinitely easier than with either loose powder or pellets. You can’t tweak the powder charge with Firesticks like you can with loose powder. If you are looking for convenience, opt for a muzzleloader that uses Firesticks. If you want to customize your powder load for optimal performance, opt for a front stuffer that uses loose powder. Most modern inline muzzleloaders are compatible with loose or pellets. Check with the manufacturer, as some muzzleloaders require a breech plug specific to the type of powder you are using.

Must Have Muzzleloader Tools

Even though most modern inline muzzleloaders have a muzzle that eases loading a bullet, you can load it with your thumb, a ball starter helps start the bullet down the barrel and makes ramming home that much easier. A brass cleaning jag is a must-have, since this tool allows you to easily clean the bore. Speed loaders make it easier to carry loose powder and pellet charges and they speed up reloads. Some speed loaders hold powder, bullet and primer for easy access. If you use loose powder, an adjustable brass powder measure is required equipment. They measure black powder and substitutes by volume and not by weight. They also allow you to tweak the amount of powder for your charge for optimal performance.

Cleaning a Muzzleloader?

Yes, black powder and black powder substitutes are corrosive and attract moisture. Substitutes typically foul less and are easier to clean. A muzzleloaders with a breech plug that can be removed by hand, without the use of a tool, make cleaning the muzzleloader a lot easier and faster. Use hot water and dish soap as a cheap cleaning solution. It works just as well as high-priced cleaning solutions. Remember to use an anti-seize grease on the breech plug threads so it doesn’t seize up and stick.