Going to buy a muzzleloader, ? inside

[Hammer]

I'm going to head up to the big gun store outside of Owensboro soon to look for a muzzloader. I want one of the modern types, inline I think they are called. When I was there earlier in the year, they had several models priced at 125 or below that were even scoped.

Questions are: What do I NOT want to buy? What are some things to look for, good and bad?

I'd like to have a reasonably priced gun (I don't need to have top of the line), used is no problem, that is easy to clean, and is reliable if properly cared for.

Thanks for any tips, especially tell me what models are junk to stay away from. Thanks!

[gates]

I have a CVA hunter bolt magnum. It is .45 cal. I have no complaints . It came with a scope and starter kit from Bass Pro about $150. I took a nice buck last year with it and my wife shot her first buck with it this year. It uses 209 primers and shoots well to 150 yards. If you get a blue barrel just be sure to clean it very well each time you shoot and put a good coat of bore butter in there to prevent rusting. use nipple grease on nipple and breach plug to prevent rusting. don't let a dirty barrel stay dirty over night. I will corode fast and you will lose accuracy. My next gun will have a SS barrel. They still corode but not as fast.

James

[Salty]

Be wary of used m/l's. A lot of guys don't clean them & a year later the breech plug won't come out. If you are looking at a used one, take the breech plug out & look through the barrel for rust or pitting. If you don't take the breech plug out, at least drop a fuse (one of the glass tubed ones with metal on each end) down the barrel & shine a flashlight in it. The shiney end of the fuse will reflect enough light to let you see the barrel. With the cost of new ones so low & this late in the season it's really a buyer's market - I'd go for a new one.