buying a muzzleloader

[Eagle11]

I am looking to buy a muzzeleloader and I have never owned one before. I have shot one a few times and I am somewhat familiar with them. I'm looking for an in-line that is $200 or less. What brand or model would you recommed based on performance. Does a longer barrel always mean increased accuracy?

[Flintlock54]

EagleII:

Since I have only one in-line, a Thompson Center Black Diamond, that is the only in-line I can personally speak to with any reassurance. I can certainly recommend it but it is somewhat higher than your price guidelines.

Knight Rifles makes an American, a composite stock with a 22" blued barrel that you should be able to pick up by comparative shopping for around $200.00. I know absolutely nothing about this gun.

I would recommend buying a 50 caliber as the trinkets that make the gun go boom are more readily available in that caliber than the others.

As for barrel length making a difference in the accuracy of the gun, I don't believe that the 2" difference (22" vs 24") would affect the accuracy one bit. Now if you are talking 36" vs 42" I would go with the 42" if it were swamped but that is something you are not going to have do worry about with the in-lines.

Also, don't get caught up in this 200 yard stuff. That's a long walk down the road for a muzzleloader. My Black Diamond shoot a 300 grain XTP pushed by 130 Grains Elephant 2F and drops 18" at 200 yards. That is not a shot I would even consider taking.

Good luck and welcome to the wonderful world of muzzleloading.