Since their first use as battlefield weapons centuries ago, muzzleloaders have come a long way. Some rifles, equipped with the right powder and projectile, can ring steel at a kilometer or more. While this level of accuracy is prohibitive for most everyday marksmen, even a standard black powder rifle makes a perfect hunting rifle. Why bother with a muzzleloader, though, when a modern bolt-action with centerfire ammo will do? Three words: Longer, exclusive seasons. All 50 states have muzzleloader hunting seasons, unlocking extra days on the calendar that you get to don camo and start stalking. Most hunters don’t bother with black powder, either – that means less competition for you. So, let’s take a look at some of the best hunting muzzleloaders on the market today that you can deploy out in the field on big-game animals.
Blackpowder Content on AllOutdoor
- Blackpowder Guide, Part 1: History & Types of Guns
- Blackpowder Guide, Part 2: Ammunition & Accuracy
- Blackpowder Guide, Part 3: Gun Powder & Primers
- The Evolution of Blackpowder for Muzzleloaders over the Years
- Top 5 Modern Muzzleloaders for Blackpowder Hunters
Endeavoring to take deer with a muzzleloader is a bit more complicated than zeroing your .308’s scope and chambering some Match Grade that you bought at the local big box store. But with the right best practices and gear, you can be just as effective at bagging game with loose powder and a ramrod as you can with any centerfire cartridge.
Let’s keep it simple: an inline, 50-caliber rifle that relies on 209 primers (with or without FireSticks, more on that later) or rifle primers with a VariFlame system is the ideal setup. CVA and Traditions are two makers whose names you can trust for reliability and accuracy in the field. These are guns capable of producing sub-MOA groupings. Here are some recommendations to consider:
The Best Hunting Muzzleloaders of 2023 – CVA Optima V2 (Best Overall)
- Ignition: 209 Primer
- Barrel Length: 26″
- Overall Length: 41″
- Twist Rate: 1:28
- Caliber: .50 Cal
- Weight: 6.5 lbs.
- Stock: Composite
The Optima’s always been a crowd favorite. It’s a proven, affordable inline gun, and the V2 builds on that with some key improvements. Those include a toolless, quick-release breech plug; actuated breech lever to breaking sticky and dirty breeches more easily; and an upgraded trigger. Coupled with a 416 stainless, 26″ barrel running a 1:28 twist rate, and preinstalled scope mount, the Optima V2 has the makings of a great black powder deer gun out of the box – all for just a hair over $300.
The Best Hunting Muzzleloaders of 2023 – CVA Wolf V2 (Best Affordable Inline)
- Ignition: 209 Primer
- Barrel Length: 24″
- Overall Length: 39″
- Twist Rate: 1:28
- Caliber: .50 Cal
- Weight: 6.2 lbs.
- Stock: Composite
Want a little less gun that’s a bit cheaper? The Wolf V2 is CVA’s new version of what has been the bestselling black powder rifle, maybe ever. The inline Wolf V2 most of the features of the Optima V2, albeit with a 2″ shorter barrel and no actuated breeching lever. The Wolf still comes with a preinstalled scope mount, 416 SS barrel in 1:28, and a quick-release breech plug, for about $250. For those who live in Idaho and Orgeon, one variant of the Wolf V2 is also Northwest Legal. This variant ditches the 209-fired closed breech in favor of an exposed musket cap breech conversion, keeping it legal for hunting seasons in those states.
The Best Hunting Muzzleloaders of 2023 – Traditions NitroFire VAPR (Best Performance)
- Ignition: FireStick
- Barrel Length: 26″
- Overall Length: 41.5″
- Twist Rate: 1:24
- Caliber: .50 Cal
- Weight: 6.5 lbs.
- Stock: Composite
The NitroFire VAPR is arguably the highest-performing hunting muzzleloader you’ll find. It runs on the FireStick ignition system with a fast 1:24 twist rate, producing incredibly consistent groupings and easily obtainable sub-MOA accuracy beyond 200 yards. Muzzle velocities vary, on average, by fewer than 50 FPS. The only drawback here is cost: the NitroFire VAPR demands about $600. It’s also considered a firearm by the ATF, so it requires an FFL transfer to purchase, and it runs afoul of some states’ muzzleloading hunting requirements.
What are FireSticks?
The FireStick ignition system was developed by Federal Ammunition a few years ago. It’s a breech-loading powder charge similar in concept to pelletized powder – except the charge is contained inside a polymer casing resembling a long, skinny shot shell.
The bottom of the FireStick is bored for a 209 primer, and projectiles still need to be rodded down the barrel with a ram. Of course, some have declared that this newfangled technology flies in the face of some arbitrary muzzleloading spirit. But the performance the Firestick provides can’t be argued: Guns running these charges produce the highest and most consistent muzzle velocities, yielding the tightest groupings and overall accuracy at distance of any black powder gun.
Traditions Kentucky Rifle (Best Side Lock)
- Ignition: #11 Caps
- Barrel Length: 33.5″
- Overall Length: 49″
- Twist Rate: 1:66
- Caliber: .50 Cal
- Weight: 7 lbs.
- Stock: Walnut
Traditions’ replica of the legendary Kentucky Rifle is arguably the most popular side locking muzzleloader in use today. Based on the rifle of the same name, which was developed in the early 1700s in Lancaster, PA and used widely in the Revolutionary war, the Kentucky full-length stock, 33.5″ barrel, and modern metallurgy make it a wickedly accurate side locking muzzleloader that’s just as capable at bagging tags as any inline. It’s a beautiful rifle to boot, sporting polished brass accoutrements from muzzle to buttstock, alongside a case-hardened lock and plate bolted to high-grade Walnut.
The Kentucky’s available with a percussion or flintlock action, and it constitutes one of the most popular build-it-yourself kits. DIY kits start at $380 (percussion) and climb to $500 (flintlock), while finished rifles cost between $500 and $560.
The Best Hunting Muzzleloaders of 2023 – Pedersoli Classic Percussion Side-by-Side (Best Shotgun)
- Ignition: #11 Caps
- Barrel Length: 28-9/16″
- Overall Length: 44.3″
- Caliber: 12 Ga.
- Weight: 7.05 lbs.
- Stock: Walnut
Pedersoli’s guns are works of art. This writer knows from personal experience (I got my hands on their flintlock Howdah pistol, and it’s one of the most fun guns I’ve ever shot). Their Classic side-by-side with a percussion action is no different. This 28.5″-barreled double barrel is a dutiful 12-gauge finished in satin Walnut with blued barrels and case-hardened locks. At just over 44″ and weighing a hair over 7 pounds, it’s one of the lightest double-barrel muzzleloaders available. Pedersoli’s triggers are crisp, with little creep nor take-up.
Want to see just how far you can push a muzzleloader? Check out this record-breaking 1,780-yard shot. The FireStick ignition system’s been made legal for hunting in more states! See if yours is one of them, here.
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