bowana

This is an interesting question and a great thread. I have owned two Encore rifles and 5 Knight rifles. I also own what I believe is the best muzzle loader on the planet....a BP express built by Ultimate Firearms of Michigan. But, you will shell out some $2000.00 for one. The marketing example that was given above is the actual reason. The long range hunter in .52 offered by Knight is a true innovation in standard muzzle loading, but was not marketed very well. The gun was designed around the projectile (a 375 grain Barnes). Its a true 250 yard gun. I also think that the bolt concept is superior to the break action. Heck, we all started with a break open shotgun when we were rabbit hunting as kids......whats so innovative about this action? I will not bad mouth TC, they are an example of success. I own two 140 class whitetails shot 5-8 minutes apart in Michigan with a TC Encore at 160 yards and 180 yards respectively. But, I must admit I'm partial to the bolt action DISC concept. I love Knight's adjustable trigger on the elite and Long Range Hunter models. I also like Knights Rolling Block gun. If I were going to recommend the best value for the buck in muzzle loading, it would be this rifle. If you were going to actually use your muzzle loader as an all in one, then the Encore is great. Bullberry makes some great custom barrels for it. Knight has been around a long time and are well on there way back to the top. If they stick to the basic design of the DISC rifle and build with new innovation they will rise like cream to the surface. The best thing about all the competition and hype, we all get to enjoy posting these threads, collecting their products and ribbing each other on who owns the best!

The 280 Remington is a great choice. Better down range performance than the 7M-08. Tragectory with a heavier bullet will be better at 300 yards with the 280. But, you can't make a bad choice here. GOOD LUCK!!

The 175 Gr Swift A-Frame is a great bullet. It is good compliment to the 7mm Ultra Mag due to the increased muzzle velocity. I would agree on the penetration issue. I have taken elk, big mulies, big whitetails and bears. I once witnessed a large bull elk consume 5 rounds from a 30-06 (I believe 180 grain bullets) and show no signs of a hit until the 4th round. But, I've also witnessed a bull drop in its tracks when shot at about 150 yards with a 270 winchester. The point is you don't know what angle, distance etc. I'm not a fan of the Scirocco Bonded or Accubond bullets on Elk. While they are adequate, they are not as tough as the A-Frame or the Nosler Partition. If you are buying factory ammo then I'd lean toward the Remington Premier A-Frame, If you or a buddy hand loads then its the Nosler Partition. I would imagine a combination of some Reloader 22 powder and a 160 grain Partition might make you that pet load you have been looking for. My Bull last year ingested a 250 grain Nosler partition from my 338-378 Weatherby. It was a quartering shot. He went no where. What ever you choose, have fun and GOOD LUCK!

This helps very much. I will let you know how it shoots. Bought one last week.

I like Nosler Partitions I have never had a 30 cal rifle that wouldn't print tight groups with a 180 grain Nosler Partition. Its a well constructed bullet with a ballistic coefficient over .400. That means even though its heavier than a 165gr, its wind resistance (sort of) will give it a flatter trajectory down range. Its deadly on large game. Shot a bull elk with one last year. Yardage to recovery........0.

Ohio State....a nut. No matter how bad a season we may have.....and yes we want you to have Loyd as a consultant......at least our team was not named after a nut! Hey Michiganbowhunter I was at the MI vs ND game (yea, I know it was the early loser bowl) and it was great! Partied with a couple of Grad students over on Davis street a couple of blocks from the "Big House". Was MI that good.....nope. ND was that bad! I have never ever witnessed an offense that was that pathetic. What I did notice was that the offense has already taken a liking to Ryan Mallet. IF "loser Loyd" would have let Ryan air it out in the 3rd quarter, the score would have been 50-0. But good ol Loyd....run Hart left.....run Hart left......run Hart left.....I know that Michigan had the game well in hand and ball control would seem appropriate. But, this is a team that was SHALLACKED by Oregon last week and we all know what happened the first week. He should have had that team smelling blood with no mercy to show to that little green Irish guy. OH well. I did leave the stadium with one positive thought.....I'm glad we got Mallet instead of Jimmy Clausen....the kid will be the best QB to ever play for the Maize and Blue..and thats saying alot.

Southern MI Slug Hunter I have been slug hunting for a good number of years now. Shot my first ever 4 point buck with a Remington 870 smooth bore with a BRI Sabot Slug (you guys remember these?) at 70 yards. The bottom line is this....I was lucky!. Smooth bores are meant for shot....period. If you want any kind of consistacy at all, you will buy a rifled slug barrel. There is just no way to print any kind of consistant group over 75 yards without a rifled bore.

Is anyone fimiliar with Ultimate Firearms custom muzzleloaders? I have heard that they are the creme la creme but would like some input before purchasing one.

appalatia.....who? I know that they have been national champs in thier division 2 years running, but.......com'on. I want Loyd in a noose!!!The powers to be have left him around way...to...long. Michigan could get anyone they want...Like ND got Weiss. I'm sure many great head coaches would come coach in the big house....hey how about the Appilation State head coach? Heck....I can't even spell it. I'm a die hard true blue Michigan fan.....but I can't stand the embarrasement.

Go Blue! THAT MAKES TWO OF US. Don't underestimate the amazinblu. On the defensive side they have a Junior College transfer at the linebacker position that was the best in the nation...Shawn Crable on the otherside. Offense...........Brilliant!

I would find a used 3006 on the Net I would find a used Rem Mod 700 long action on the net, buy a HS precision stock and timmney trigger. Then I would sent the rifle to Kreiger and have a 30-06 Ackley (40 degree shoulder) chamber and barrel installed. Then I would top it with a Leupold 3.5x10 VarixII scope. Should come in around 15-1700 dollars. A tack driver.

Bushnell Elite 3200 vs Leupold I have both scopes in my safe. The Bushnell is on a Ruger M77II in .280 (Stock Rifle) and the Leupold is on a Remington 700 30-06 Ackley Improved (40 degree shoulder). The Leupold seems to have a crisper image and contrast, but I think the Bushnell holds a little brighter picture during the last legal shooting minutes. I think you will make the right choice no matter what you choose. Quality wise, I do think that Leupold has one step on the Bushnell. The Leupold VarixII is more on par with a Nikon Monarch series. I personally own just about every make of scope/or have owned. I now put most of my money into the scope first. Regardless of how well a rifle shoots.....you can't shoot wht you cant see!!

Art Thats not a project.......that's a work of art. Nice job. Can you give me info on the trigger?

We have to give the "Gators" the credit they deserve They were pretty fast and certainly deserving. I won't count them out. Those scheme speed defenses that they run are pretty complex. Hopefully the big ten is paying attention.

Nikon Nikon makes a great scope with the range circles built in (strictly for a muzzleloader shooting 3 triple 7 pellets and a 250 gr sabot bullet). If you can throw out the extra bucks I would go with a Leupold 3.5x10 varixIII.

I hope your right! Something tells me that Wisconsin may have the toughest program in thier history. Our only salvation is its at the "Big House". The Kicking game and the Defense is suspect. If they are solid, then Michigan could make the title game. They have the media on thier side. By the way.....the Ohio State game will be no cake walk! Look back....you know how they go.

You guys crack me up! Quinn is in! I say he will be a good starting QB in the NFL.....probably in the same talent pool as Drew Breese (don't worry Purdue Grads can't spell either). But if you think he is going to be a Tom Brady (Michigan Grad of course) or a Manning.....no way! He will be a main staple athletic pillar. Just not a super star. Part of that is the franchise he has been delt (no bias here.....us Michigan fans always give Ohio State fans plenty of credit!).

Michigan fan too close to Hoosier land!! Going to numerous Notre Dame games and watching Quinn I have to say I had mixed reviews. Michigan took him to school in South Bend, but he played like a champion against USC. He is a smart QB and knows how to run an offense. It will be interesting if he can adjust to the speed of the game at the next level. Notre Dames schedules have been a little weak over the years. But, then again if you watch the UCLA game from last year......he brought the team back from sudden death.....I even left the stadium early. Big risk that could pay back ten fold.

22 Centerfires Rule here! I own a Remington 700 VSSFII in 220 Swift " " " Savage 114 in 22-250 " " " custom AR-15 with 26" American Spirit Arms Bull Barrel in 223 I can say that not one song dog has ever complained about being shot with any of them. However, I have noticed if its slightly windy on a cold Febuary morning that they have a hard time hearing the report of the 223. Last year I called in two yotes that had come in from opposite directions. When I shot the first one he droped like a rock.....the second one kept on coming in!!. Shot him at 120 yards, right through the neck. Yote hunt'in sure makes Feb go by quick!! I'd have to give the nod slightly to the 223 Rem. Lots of components, cheap ammo, etc. Generally 3200 feet per second is all thats needed for 300 yard shots, although the other two calibers will extend your range 50+ yards on a yote sized target.

Life Member And proud of it. I spend 7 years defending our great nation in such wonderful places like Honduras.....not going to let some big mouth political stuffed shirts from Mass or California tell me what is right and wrong. GOD BLESS THIS GREAT NATION AND THE NRA!!!

Penn State vs Notre Dame This Michigan fan will be rooting for the Nitny Lions in Sept. Womp the Tar out of 'em!!!

Tragedy Had to fly home from Germany some 23 years ago to bury my younger brother. Happened 2 miles from the house. My parents had five kids so as tragic as it was, the years and numerous grand kids helped ease the pain. I cannot imagine the pain with him as an only child. This will take a lot of healing and love from friends and family. My prayers go out!

Nice Photo! Tony is a great guy and a wonderful innovator. Really the in-line king. But, he no longer owns Knight Rifles.

Michigan fan too close to Hoosier land!! Yep.....live a couple of miles from Notre Dame stadium (JUST ACROSS THE MI LINE) . But...my heart belongs to the Maize..n..Blue! I've been to numerous Notre Dame games BUT I CAN'T STAND THE PLACE!! My in-laws belong to the "Friends of the University of Notre Dame"......I even have my name on the "Bug Room" in the new Science Center....BUT I CANNOT STAND THEM. Season tickets..some in the "gold seats" BUT I DON'T ALWAYS USE THEM. I DID LAST YEAR THOUGH...AND WHAT A BUTT KICK'IN/STOMP'IN SESSION THE WOLVERINES GAVE THE IRISH. I already have tickets for the MI/ND Game in Ann Arbor on Sep 15th....My Birthday! I can't wait!! My Beloved Wolverines are stacked to the hilt. Should be another exciting year.....but can Loyd win the big one. Great record....but winless in 4 bowl games,,,,,hmmm.

Great Thread and good advice Great job guys, makes me want to build something else. Currently have a Mark5 Weatherby action over at Kreiger having a 26" cut rifled barrel made; H.S. Precision stock and Rifle Basix trigger installed. There is a 22 week lead time over at Kreiger (cut rifling is a slow process). The rifle use to be 270 Weatherby Fibermark. Now it will become a 300 Win Mag. I have about a buzzillion components laying around for the 300 (sold one about 8 years ago). I'll post a picture once I get it back (should be a couple of weeks). I'll start a thread so everyone can post a pic of thier pet rifle. Looking to start with 180 gr accubond bullet. Anyone have a pet load out there?