buckmastermn Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 I am new to muzzleloading and plan on buying a gun for whitetails this fall. I can only afford a gun that is around $200 so I've been looking at the CVA Kodiak, CVA Optima, and the NEF Sidekick. Does anyone have any experience with these guns? Thanks for the help Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hunterfisherman Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! I'm not a huge fan of CVA but the new ones are good enough. It will kill deer and that's whats important. ML is a blast and I hope you enjoy it as much as I do. No matter what gun you buy, the most important part is that you're out hunting. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted August 25, 2006 Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! buckmaster, do you plan on buying a scope for this gun ? You might want to include this in your plans. A ton of people owns CVA's due to their lower price, and do o.k. with them. People in here have them. Not my 1st choice but they work ! I am a TC fan and owned 3 of them, currently have a TC Encore. too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckmastermn Posted August 25, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 25, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! I don't plan on using a scope since they are not allowed during the MN muzzleloader season. With open sights I would not plan to shoot over 100 yards. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livnreklis Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! I am new to M L as well, and wanted to give it a go this season. I picked up the CVA optima magnum, I picked this rifle over the optima pro cause it had a 2 inch smaller barrel, I just liked the idea of that hunting in thick brush. But its the same rifle and can change out with the same barrels as the pro. I have taken it to the range once so far, and I must say I am impressed with this M L, and for the price it was way worth it. Also remember you can also pick up the TC Omega for a fair price as well at your local Walmart. I paid about $250.00 for mine (CVA) and thats about all I was willing to spend. But it fits the bill for me. The Kodiak looks pretty sweet, I went for the break open action just seemed easier to clean. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest littlebighorn Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! i too own a cva kodiak blued in 50 cal and just picked up another one at a swamp in stainless and 45 cal bran new for 150 couldn't pass it up for the price.i like mine quite well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! I'm a huge nef fan. The break open design makes it a lot easier to clean. You can get one for well under $200 and have enough cash for powder, bullets and accessories. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest gt2003 Posted August 26, 2006 Report Share Posted August 26, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! Purchase the best gun you can afford. Then, get to work on a load that works well in that gun. Sight in at the yardage you most often shoot. I'm sure my ML can shoot 150 yds or so. But, I focus on 50 yds because that is about the longest shot I will have in the area I hunt. If my area changes, most likely my load will too. Good luck, Greg Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnf Posted August 28, 2006 Report Share Posted August 28, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! The best gun is not always the most expensive. Lots of folks I've talked with say the Nef are better out of the box then the T/C Encore. That's $350 more for a gun that doesn't shoot as good. Doesn't make much sence to me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
too_pointer Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! O.K., no bashing the famous Encore You don't see the Realtree guys shooting Nef on their vids do you too_ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livnreklis Posted August 29, 2006 Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! Funny that you said that cause I just picked up the latest Monster Bucks DVD that Walmart has. And there was one hunt with a young kid in a wheel chair. And it very much to me looked like he was hunting with a scoped NEF break open rifle. But I could be mistaken. I like the TC rilfes they are made right here in my state matter a fact the factory is like only an hour away from here. But I went with the rifle the guy at the store said would be a great starter rifle, and carry me through many hunting seasons if I choose not to upgrade. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buckmastermn Posted August 29, 2006 Author Report Share Posted August 29, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! I've been doing some research and I think I'm going with the NEF Sidekick. Thanks for the input. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest tcfirehawk Posted September 5, 2006 Report Share Posted September 5, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! Check your local pawnshop. I purchased a Thompson Center Fire Hawk .50 cal at one for $200. Also there is a group on yahoo called the world of muzzleloading. It will help you in your decision. My name is James. My screen name on yahoo is thevampiresolice. Hope to hear from you. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Bushpilot Posted September 6, 2006 Report Share Posted September 6, 2006 Re: New to muzzleloading, need help! This is my first ML season. I bought a Kodiak Pro 209 Magnum all camo (including barrel with a Nikon 3-9X40 Realtree camo scope. I went to the range with Sabots (Barnes MZ Boattail) and PowerBelts. 777 50 grain pellets. I got on the paper and touching holes at 25 yards first. Then I moved out to 100 yards. I shot up all Powerbelts and about 5 or 6 Barnes. I couldn't get 3 shots to be consistant at 100 yards. Oh sure...I'd get close to the center a couple times...then out left...up right...level right ...maybe a second level right...ect. Very frustrating. And by the way, I am shooting with a front and rear rest...so flinching is not the case. Speaking of flinch...MY GOD the trigger pull on that Kodiak is HARD! I've never experience such a pull on a rifle before. Sure...my DA .357 snub nose has a strong pull, But that is a DA Pistol! I let my buddy shoot the Kodiak a couple times and after sitting there for a few seconds I saw him look back to see if there was a "Safety" engaged! Unbelievably hard trigger pull! (of course comparitively I mean). I could seat a second shot with a Powerbelt...smoothe and easy loading until you get to the burn ring at the base of the barrel. Then it got a little tougher. A hard push is needed for the last 3/4 inch. Third shot even tougher. Next time I go out...I might try at 50 yards first...then move out a bit...swabbing after every shot. I might also try a 30/50=80 grain pellet combo and see what happens. One other thing...getting to the hammer with gloves on (hammer under rear of mounted scope) is not going to be a piece of cake. Even an ungloved thumb touches the scope when pulling the hammer back. I'm going to look for one of those attachments that stick out from the side of the hammer. Over all...I think it is a Good Looking ML, and fine for a begginer like me but, in a few years when my wife lets me buy another one, I'm going to do a little more "Practical" research. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest hog69 Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 I have been having the same problems as BushPilot... I can't get a group to save my life.. Is there a defect with the Optimas? I bought my new in '03 I think it was and it has never shot worth a crap? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hoyt03 Posted October 9, 2007 Report Share Posted October 9, 2007 Spend a few extra bucks and get a Thompson center Omega. Will be pleased that you did. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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