Muzzleloaders have quite the history backing them — the earliest designs can be traced to the 12th century — and they remain useful to this day. Whether your customers prefer the classic, reliable style of these guns or live in states with a muzzleloader season that increases their odds of filling deer tags, it’s a good idea to keep some quality models in stock. Muzzleloaders are making a comeback — as they should — and this is a trend you want to be on top of. Here are some of our top picks for muzzleloaders to have on hand for your customers.
Remington 700 UML (Ultimate Muzzleloader)
The combination of the proven Remington 700 platform and the beauty of a muzzleloader makes the 700 UML a great gun. This .50-caliber gun is designed to bring muzzleloaders into the 21st century in the best ways possible. Remington accomplishes this by making it possible to clean the gun without removing the breech plug and creating a flash channel that can stay cleaner longer. The 700 UML features the gun maker’s U.M.L. ignition system and a beautifully crisp Timney trigger.
Remington created this rifle for superior overall performance by focusing on quality and strength. The Model 700 receiver provides durability and strength, while the 26-inch stainless steel, fluted barrel offers a long life and accuracy. A full-length aluminum bedding block is another noteworthy feature. The bolt of the gun is jeweled and cycles smoothly. This rifle is drilled and tapped for optics, has a hinged floor-plate storage compartment for casings, and boasts an H-S Precision stock for comfort and a solid cheek weld. Remington states the effective range of this muzzleloader is 300 yards — if the customer utilizes their Premier AccuTip bullets — and that alone makes this a good model to keep in stock.
Dimensions include an overall length of 47 inches, length of pull of 13 3/8-inches, and drop at comb of 1 1/8-inches. The Remington 700 UML weighs approximately 9.5 pounds. MSRP $1,499.
Traditions Pursuit XT Northwest Magnum
For the hunter interested in a well-made yet budget-friendly model, there’s the Traditions Pursuit XT Northwest Magnum. This rifle is the manufacturer’s next generation in their Pursuit family of muzzleloaders and features a VAPR barrel for enhanced accuracy. Thanks to the 1:24 twist rate of the VAPR barrel, bullets are better stabilized, and hunters can use a wider variety of bullets. This line of muzzleloaders is also made to meet the requirements of restrictive states such as Idaho and Oregon, meaning guns have open sights, a musket ignition, and an open breech.
The Traditions Pursuit XT Northwest Magnum muzzleloader is lighter weight than many of its counterparts, with overall weight of 6 pounds. It manages that weight even with a 26-inch barrel. As for the barrel itself, the VAPR is Cerakoted for resistance to use-related wear and fluted to reduce weight and speed cooling time. An Elite XT trigger system comes standard and provides a clean break and short reset. Traditions also designed this rifle with a wide forend to give shooters a more secure grip, which is a great feature for a .50-caliber firearm.
This is a feature-rich rifle despite its lower price point — in fact, it manages to outperform its cost. Useful features include a dual safety system — rebounding hammer and cross block manual trigger safety — and a speed loading system. After all, hunters want to reload smoothly and quickly rather than miss out on the buck of a lifetime due to loading-related delays. The gun’s Accelerator Breech Plug allows the shooter to use loose and pelletized powder, which fits nicely with the ability to choose from a broader bullet selection. This rifle is drilled and tapped for easy addition of a scope. It’s an excellent muzzleloader to keep in stock for budget-minded hunters. MSRP starts at $419.95.
CVA Crossfire
The CVA Crossfire is the popular gun maker’s answer to compatibility with the Firestick ignition system. Firestick is a system created by Federal that allows charging from the breech — in compatible firearms — and loading from the muzzle. It’s highly resistant to moisture and made according to tight tolerances for greater consistency on target. And, of course, it makes loading faster, easier and cleaner. The CVA Crossfire is made to make the most of the Firestick ignition system and offers a host of features that make it the gun to have on hand for hunters searching for modern platforms.
This is a .50-caliber muzzleloader with a 26-inch barrel. Its overall length is 41 inches, leaving it relatively maneuverable in the woods or deer blind. Empty weight is 8 pounds. CVA offers the Crossfire with either a stainless finish with black furniture or with Patriot Brown Cerakote and Escape Camo furniture. It’s a good plan to consider having both color options in stock to fit the preferences of hunters who do and do not prefer camo patterns on their guns.
Features of the Crossfire include a 1:28 twist rate and a recommendation from CVA to use their ELR Series of Powerbelt bullets. CVA ships the rifle with a Picatinny rail so hunters can add optics, and integral attachment points make adding a sling simple. The ramrod fits securely under the barrel. And although the break-action takes a bit of force to open for charging, the fact that the gun doesn’t have a breech plug to mess with makes it worth it. CVA has a well-deserved reputation for designing and manufacturing quality long guns, and the Crossfire is yet another example of that excellence. The CVA Crossfire is great not only for customers interested in muzzleloaders with a modern take, but also for newbies who want a simpler, neater approach. MSRP starts at $450.
Davide Pedersoli Old English Maple Side-by-Side
For customers interested in muzzleloading shotguns, there’s Davide Pedersoli, the manufacturer that’s the gold standard for this type of gun. The Davide Pedersoli Old English Maple Side-by-Side is a 12-gauge shotgun with a beautifully finished stock and engraved capbox. Fantastic attention to detail is evident in the aesthetic of this muzzleloader, but it’s also a reliable, accurate shotgun.
The Old English Maple Side-by-Side’s barrels are 27 9/16-inches in length and have a rust brown finish to reduce glare and help them blend in during the hunt. Its overall length is 44 1/8-inches and empty weight is 6.83 pounds. This is a carefully streamlined, slim muzzleloader. The gun’s double set trigger brings to mind long guns of hunts long since past, and percussion ignition adds to that nostalgic feel. This is the muzzleloading shotgun for the discerning customer interested in a classic firearm that can be passed down to future generations of hunters. MSRP $2,145.
Traditions Buckstalker XT Youth Model
Many customers will be interested in youth-size muzzleloaders. Introducing children and grandchildren to hunting goes more smoothly when the gun being used has a shortened length of pull and smaller overall fitment. The Traditions Buckstalker XT Youth Model is a fantastic option for customers looking to outfit the smaller members of their families with a muzzleloader to get them into deer hunting. This gun is compact, easy to use, and affordably priced — it ticks all the right boxes for a nice little gun for kids.
The Traditions Buckstalker XT Youth Model is a .50-caliber rifle based on the company’s proven line of Buckstalker rifles. It has a 24-inch premium chromoly barrel for durability. Length of pull is reduced to 13 inches, giving younger shooters improved comfort and control over their firearm. Other youth-friendly features include the Accelerator Breech Plug, Dual Safety System, and Quick-T Ramrod Handle. The Elite XT Trigger System offers a smooth pull and clean break. All features are easy to operate and simple to get youth shooters accustomed to using muzzleloaders in the field.
This rifle has an effective range of 200 yards and is drilled and tapped for optics. Sling swivel studs come standard. Encourage customers to get the next generation into hunting with muzzleloaders by steering them to the Traditions Buckstalker XT Youth Model. MSRP $269.95.
Muzzleloader Optics and Ammo
Modern muzzleloaders are usually drilled and tapped for optics at the factory, and some ship with Picatinny rails. That makes using quality glass easy and gives you an opening to discuss including optics in the sale of the muzzleloader. The Riton 3 Primal 3-9x40mm EER (Extended Eye Relief) is a high quality optic capable of withstanding the recoil muzzleloaders produce. This scope is made with hunters in mind and delivers performance and value customers will appreciate.
Features of the Riton 3 Primal 3-9x40mm EER include capped turrets, a fast-focus eyepiece, and an aircraft grade aluminum body for exceptional durability. Riton assembles these scopes in an EP-level clean room. This model is 100% waterproof, fog proof, and shockproof, with testing for the latter being done up to 1200 G’s. The lens is fully multi-coated, making it resistant to the weather your customers will experience during their hunts. The 3 Primal 3-9x40mm EER has a Duplex reticle for rapid target acquisition. This is a second focal plane optic. MSRP $249.99.
Customers will need ammunition for their muzzleloaders, and that’s where the Hornady Bore Driver FTX comes in. Hornady is renowned for their bullets, and the Bore Driver FTX is an excellent choice for customers looking for a good hunting projectile. The base of these bullets is enclosed with polymer to seal the bore for superior energy transfer and accuracy. As for the bullet itself, it has a gilding metal jacket and polymer tip for dramatic wound channels. The .50-caliber bullet is offered in either 290 grain or 340 grain and ships in a pack of 20 projectiles. MSRP $35.99.
