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opinion needed, best all around muzzleloader!

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In your opinion what is the best muzzleloader one can buy for the money, In a flint or cap and ball? This information might help us all. Best all around, caliber, manufacturer and design
 
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That's a tuff one to answer, and I'm sure some will say well it depends!
My Colonial ancestors might have said a Fowler is the best all around muzzleloader. Load it with shot or ball. Hunt any game small or large. Defend your home or animals with it. Light and balanced.
PXL_20220514_133937451.jpg
 
In your opinion what is the best muzzleloader one can buy for the money, In a flint or cap and ball? This information might help us all.


We did a lot of hunt or starve trips over the years. After the first year seeing a rifle was a rare thing. Smoothies feed you a lot better. 20 bore the overwhelming preferred gun, in flint.
 
In your opinion what is the best muzzleloader one can buy for the money, In a flint or cap and ball? This information might help us all.
Maybe I’m just thick and not getting it. Do you mean…best muzzleloader, by manufacturer? Or do you mean best muzzleloader by type of firearm? Either of those could take this thread in entirely different directions.

Some are going to start talking about the best makers, and others are going to start telling us about fusils, colonials and plains rifles…
 
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That's a tuff one to answer, and I'm sure some will say well it depends!
My Colonial ancestors might have said a Fowler is the best all around muzzleloader. Load it with shot or ball. Hunt any game small or large. Defend your home or animals with it. Light and balanced.
View attachment 152672
Nailed it. It was and still is, the ultimate in traditional side lock long arms. It's the "swiss army knife" of early firearms.
 
Our frontier/pioneer ancestors had some sort of a smoothbore as their primary firearm. Those that could afford two firearms, sometimes the second weapon was a rifle.

EF98BB7E-8DD9-4F9D-80B0-669AF07EA5E4.jpeg

Muskets are workhorses. They can do it all and are the most durable. Given a good frizzen, those big rocks always spark

0231CB68-04EE-41CC-A8D4-EC812702CDB8.jpeg

Fusils are light finesse weapons. They are light, quick and versatile.

A24ADACD-FB20-403B-A230-9F7D502EB438.jpeg

Fowlers are just as versatile and functional as a Fusil
 
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Any e I’m just thick and not getting it. Do you mean…best muzzleloader, by manufacturer? Or do you mean best muzzleloader by type of firearm? Either of those could take this thread in entirely different directions.

Some are going to start talking about the best makers, and others are going to start telling us about fusils, colonials and plains rifles…
Great point rock home so I edited the post. Thanks
 
Ain't no such animal, best is what the shooter makes it.

no such animal

each well made, properly functioning gun has a niche
Agreed,
The question is too generic,, there is no possible way for an affirmative answer.
In your opinion what is the best muzzleloader one can buy for the money, In a flint or cap and ball? This information might help us all. Best all around, caliber, manufacturer and design
"buy for the money"; How much money?
Caliber; For what use?
Manufacturer and design; ,uhm,, wha?

Besides; Who can own just one?
 
People are over thinking the question! I think A Fowler, Fusil, Smooth rifle ,what ever style you prefer is the most practical ML firearm I believe .58 caliber to .62 caliber(20 gauge) to be the most useful all around caliber in that type of firearm. I think the flater butt is more comfortable to most people, and I think any decent manufacture from Caywood, NorthStar, Sitting Fox or Chambers & Kibler would be more than "good" for most people. (IMHO)
 
The nextgun
It’s the magic one you haven’t bought yet. It has all the perfect features.
It’s sure fire
It has easy maintenance
It’s easy on the eyes
It does it all from tree rat to T. rex
Oh well just have to keep buying till I get me a real nextgun
In the meantime my TFC is my favorite
If I had to go in a survival situation it would be my pick
At least till I get a nextgun
 
Best all around? 12 gauge double. I've put a lot of meat on the table with mine in the last 40 years from quail to squirrels, rabbits, ducks and deer. Wads are fairly easy to find if I don't feel up to making my own. With the pretty much straight channel from the nipples to the chambers, even 20 year old Pyrodex goes off in it. Easy to clean up afterwards too. A real do it all gun that can be used in any gun season.
 

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