Ok guys I got invited to hunt deer on a muzzleloader hunt this coming season . I don't want one that is going to cost a bunch of money . Where can a guy find a cheaper model new or used ? Also is there anything I need to watch out for ?

Thanks

Bob

CVA wolf. I wouldn't use power belts though. I've heard good things about the all copper bullets.

I agree with Turkeywrangler. Any cva are good low budget rifles. I have used power belt bullets for several years and never had a problem.

I use a TC Encore, and wouldn't trade it for anything. It is deadly accurate to 300yds easily, and easy to break down to clean. I used a friends CVA muzzleloader before, and I wasn't a fan. It wasn't that accurate in my opinion, and if you didn't clean between every 2-4 shots you wouldn't even be on paper. That could have just been that particular gun, I don't know. But I know the Encore I could shoot several times and not have to run a patch through it. And just because it says Magnum doesn't mean you HAVE to shoot 150gr of powder.

Practice , It isn't a centerfire rifle. I've used them for years and they are super accurate to around 150 yds. However it ain't a 270 , so practice before you go.
During the practice sessions you can find what that rifle likes to be fed. They all like something a bit different. Either the bullet, powder or cap will need tweaking to get the performance you want.
As far as brand or model that's all you , they all do a pretty fair job ...

first question , what does SD or where every your hunting have for restrictions

some places require and exposed cap or musket cap 209 ignition is not allowed
others say no sabots
some allow optics others not

where are you hunting is the first question once we know that models of muzzle loaders can be recommended.

Don't...don't buy a cheap import cap lock, don't expect anything, shoot it, shoot it shoot it.... Swab and clean barrel every few shots. I have used .40, .50 and .54 cap lock to inline. Practice makes if not perfect, at least comfortable with the Rifle. Cva makes great inlines, I am a fan of theirs but not the Wolf.

Check Gunbroker.com for a good deal. I am a traditional B/P hunter but one year I bought a modern Inline "Knight Wolverine 50" for Elk in Colorado. I was really impressed with the quality of the rifle. It rained every day and when I drew my bead on a cow elk I really expected it to go "pop ffffttt" but it boomed. I don't know what amazed me more the rifle working in those conditions or dropping the elk.

There is another thing about muzzle loaders is the twist of the rifling .If it is slow twist you can use Ball and patch and lead bullets. If it is a fast twist you use sabots and depend on it is the type of bullets you use. I found that out my self all this. For me use one for deer hunting. the ones I have is 50cal and found out it is made for sabots and need to use a cast bullet that is 1" or longer for to make the rifle work the way it should. it work and the deer drop in its track.but I need to have a recoil pad add to the guns to take up the recoil. So in the 50cal I shot a 45-70 bullet with a sabot of Thomson Contender for a .452 bullet and 80grs by volume of 777 FFG powder. So I am shooting a 45-80 for after you look at it. The Thomson Contender expand better in the barrel and I got better pattern also.I am get another 50cal muzzle loader to shot the round ball and patch and other bullets that I am set up for already.It is a used one I am getting from my gunsmith.

Thompson Center Impact. Think a $25 rebate is still in effect.Do a search for best price.Hint Woodbury Outfitters or Bud's Guns.

Right now a pawn shop might be clearing them things out, first though greenecountypete has a point; no reason to talk about best inlines if they don't qualify for your hunt.

I think practical familiarity is more important with muzzleloaders than it is with breech loaders. And more so with traditional than with inlines.

Great entry gun is the knight wolverine. The new owners in Athens ten. Are good ppl just like Tony knight was I'll never have any other muzz in my hands there is no comparison

I have a most western states legal inline , that uses a 4 wing musket cap . https://www.knightrifles.com/product/bighorn-max-1-straight-muzzleloader/ often guys buy one of these for a hunt use it for that hunt then sell it I picked mine up for 150 at a local shop.mine is a little older has a plain black stock and metal iron sights not the fiber optic. but a really nice trigger.

that said if 209 ignition is legal then use it 209 primers are 1/3 the price of musket caps not that that is a big deal for the amount you will use it

I prefer real black powder I find the load for that gun much like I would any rifle pick a reasonable starting load nad work up till groups open up then go back to the last good accuracy node and then clean shot clean shoot and keep it up till you know where the first clean cold goes as well as your the next 2-3

muzzle loading is really no different than cartridge reloading except that you only get one peice of brass to work with the barrel and it doesn't ware out but you have to do almost all the same steps except for resizing.

when hunting with a MZ every shot is basically a clean cold bore shot so you need to figure out your cleaning and lube routine and stick to it.

I store MZ barrel down with a sock or rag over the muzzle this way any excess oil/lube runs out and not into he flash channel

to load fire 2 caps in a safe direction , then the 3rd at a blade of grass or rubber band a tissue over the muzzle (still in a safe direction) the gas should blow right through he tissue or move the blade of grass , this dries the flash channel getting any oil left from cleaning out of it ensuring the flame gets to the powder then I run one very slightly moistened patch with a solution of 1/3 rubbing alcohol , 1/3 hydrogen peroxide , 1/3 Murphy oil soap. then 2 dry patches , dump powder charge , then seat my projectile over the powder I do this the same way every time.

for a full bore conical the Hornady great plains works well they are a bit stiff to load but turn in good accuracy and should be legal most everywhere.

the break action inlines with faster twist barrels if you can run them in the state your looking at are cost effective and a bit easier to clean because the barrel separates so easily.

I only muzzleloader hunt every couple years for ~5 days tops, usually only 2-3 days. So I also don't feel the need for something fancy. I have an older CVA wolf, shoot 100 grn 777 (2 50grn pelets - simple and easy) and 300grn Hornady SST sabots. Accurate enough for 150yrds and under. Spit patch clean between each shot, worth the extra time to me. The "right" level of fouling has been important for accuracy for mine.

If I used it more and had money to spend I would try to get one of those newer treated barrel ones that don't corrode easily (think it's nitrided or something).