As many of our readers have already figured out, the 2020 hunting season may look a bit different than seasons past. The one factor that looms larger than most is the dearth of available ammunition. If you’re like a large portion of hunters who wait until a couple weeks before season starts to buy a fresh box of ammo or zero in a new rifle scope, the outlook is grim. Many hunters will simply have to make do with last year’s setup, maybe fire one zero-check round, and hope they have enough cartridges to get through the season.

On the other hand, there is an alternative — one that has allowed hunters to keep meat on the table for centuries. We’re talking muzzleloaders.

The muzzleloaders of today look a whole lot different than those of our forebears, but their core operating principles are the same and their lethality and reliability for dropping big game animals are years ahead of the technology the pioneers employed to defend the home and supply the hearth. The good news is that muzzleloaders are available for purchase and their needful ingredients — powder and bullets — are currently on the shelves and seemingly not suffering from the manufacturing and logistics challenges that is plaguing centerfire ammunition.

In short, muzzleloaders may be the much-needed firearm alternative for hunters looking to stock their freezers this year. If you’ve never delved into the world of muzzleloader hunting, this may be the time to jump in, as most states allow the substitution of centerfire rifles with muzzleloaders during the traditional centerfire rifle season. You’ll discover a new angle to your favorite sport and even expand your hunting opportunities by taking advantage of your state’s muzzleloader season, which typically follows the traditional rifle season.

Muzzleloaders come in a broad range of prices, with options and special features separating one from another. Speaking of conventional inline muzzleloaders (as opposed to flint or percussion cap sidelocks), they all work in basically the same manner. Powder is poured or placed into the barrel and a patched or sabot bullet is seated atop the powder charge. The ignition source (shotgun primer) is inserted into the breech plug and the rifle is ready to fire. Super simple.

One company that covers the full spectrum of muzzleloader rifles, ranging from DIY flintlock kits to the latest in muzzleloader technology, is Traditions Performance Firearms. The company’s bench of modern inline muzzleloaders is wide and deep, offering just about any flavor you can think of at prices to fit the most austere to the most extravagant budget. Here, we’ll look at Traditions’ four most popular series of inline muzzleloaders, from the long-lived Buckstalker up to the all-new NitroFire. Within this product range is a game-getter that will meet your needs and your budget.

Buckstalker

Hunters on a tight budget who want to test the muzzleloader waters or to get a rifle that will stand in the gap until centerfire ammunition makes a strong comeback should take a close look at the Traditions Buckstalker.

The Buckstalker comes in several configurations, but most models boast an MSRP well under $300. Bored for .50 caliber, this rifle comes with a 24-inch barrel and weighs around 6 pounds. The model variations allow you to choose between blued or Cerakote metal finishes, camo or black furniture, and open sights or a scope package. All rifles feature the Traditions Accelerator Breech Plug, which makes the breech plug quick to remove and easy to clean. Also included is the dual hammer block and trigger block safety systems.

For a true grab-and-go kit, it’s hard to beat the Buckstalker Redi-Pak. Muzzleloaders do require a minimal support system for loading and cleaning, and the Redi-Pak comes with everything you’ll need to get started, minus the powder/pellets and primer. With an MSRP of $269 for the package, the Buckstalker Redi-Pak is the quickest, easiest, and most cost-efficient way to enter the world of muzzleloader hunting.

Pursuit G4 Ultralight

A step up from the Buckstalker is the Pursuit G4 Ultralight series rifles. The G4 Ultralight incorporates a premium 26-inch Chromoly barrel that is tapered and fluted to reduce weight (around 5.75 pounds) while ensuring top muzzleloader-range accuracy (out to 200 yards). All barrels and receivers are treated with a durable Cerakote finish or black nitride. These finishes are welcome in a muzzleloader for their high rust- and corrosion-resistance.

We’ve hunted everything from whitetails to pronghorns with the G4 Ultralight and are absolute fans of the rifle’s performance and ergonomics. The sculpted forend combined with the svelte grip wrist and well-designed stock make this rifle comfortable to shoulder and easy to employ on a variety of field rests or when shooting freehand.

As with the Buckstalker, the Pursuit G4 Ultralight comes with a .50-caliber bore and utilizes the Dual Safety System and Accelerator Breech Plug. While there are no kit options, there are numerous camo configurations and open sight or scoped options to choose from. Prices for the Pursuit G4 Ultralight range from $389 (camo models, no sights) to $553 (Realtree Edge camo barrel, furniture, and 3-9×40 scope).

Vortek StrikerFire

You’ve no doubt heard of striker-fired pistols. As its name implies, the Traditions Vortek StrikerFire utilizes a spring-propelled firing pin in similar fashion to ignite the primer, which eliminates the conventional spurred hammer. There are advantages to this design that we appreciate.

If you’ve ever shot a muzzleloader with a mounted scope, you’ve most likely groused about the eyepiece getting in the way of manipulating the hammer. The StrikerFire uses a sliding pushbutton mounted atop the forward portion of the grip, providing ample room for your thumb to push forward on the striker button to cock the firearm. This is especially beneficial when wearing gloves during the cold, late-season. The other big advantage to the StrikerFire system is that you don’t have to control a hammer if you need to de-cock. Simply depress the release button positioned in the center of the striker button to de-cock. The system also automatically de-cocks when you break open the breach.

Another plus is the TAC2 Trigger system. This is a two-stage type of trigger that is much smoother and more crisp than conventional muzzleloader trigger systems. A dual safety system is also integrated into the platform.

The StrikerFire comes in three distinct models, with each having its own list of option variations. The standard Vortek Strikerfire comes with a 28-inch barrel. For maximum long-range accuracy, the Vortek Strikerfire LDR‘s 30-inch barrel gets the job done. Those looking for a more compact solution for wilderness or all-day carry will appreciate the Vortek Strikerfire Backcountry with its 26-inch barrel. Prices range from $399 to $629.

NitroFire

Sitting at the top of Traditions’ line of muzzleloaders (and at the top of the entire muzzleloader industry) is the all-new Traditions NitroFire. Introduced early this year, the NitroFire reimagines what a muzzleloading hunting rifle can be thanks to breakthrough technology developed in conjunction with shooting industry heavyweights Federal Premium and Hodgdon Powders.

The NitroFire is built around the revolutionary idea of the encapsulated powder charge called the Firestick, which was developed by ammunition manufacturer Federal Premium and contains Hodgdon’s newly formulated Triple 8 powder.

Until now, all muzzleloader powder charges consisted of either loose powder or powder pellets placed into the bore, followed by the bullet. The Firestick, by contrast, is a fully self-contained powder charge that inserts into breach of the Traditions NitroFire rifle. Being an encapsulated charge, the first obvious benefit is that the powder cannot be compromised by water or moisture as it is completely sealed. More importantly, though, is that the charge can be removed from the rifle simply by breaking the action and pulling it from the breach. There is no need to fire the rifle or waste any powder at the end of an unsuccessful hunt.

As you can imagine, there is also a significant safety factor inherent to the NitroFire/Firestick system. Should you need to get in or out of a treestand, a vehicle, cross a fence, or do anything else that requires making the firearm safe, you only need to break open the action and remove the Firestick. It’s that simple.

The NitroFire loads the bullet from the muzzle end just like any muzzleloader. Start the sabot bullet into the muzzle and seat it onto the internal ledge at the bottom of the bore. Next, open the action and insert the FireStick. Place a standard 209 shotgun primer into the base of the FireStick and close the action. The NitroFire is now ready to shoot.

FIND OUT MORE ON THE NITROFIRE

The NitroFire is bored to accept .50 caliber sabot bullets and is constructed around a 26-inch ultralight chromoly steel fluted and tapered barrel. It features Traditions’ Dual Safety System and the Elite XT trigger. What’s neat about this trigger system is that you can open the action while the cross-bolt safety is engaged. It’s another welcome feature that makes the NitroFire the safest, easiest-to-use muzzleloader ever developed.

Traditions offers the new NitroFire in several configurations, all of which come with a Cerakote finish and a choice of black or several camo patterns. Prices range from $549 to $1,220, depending on the scope option.

There’s no doubt that this hunting season is going to look a lot different for many of us, and that may be especially true when the traditional rifle season rolls around. Fortunately, the muzzleloader segment is in a good position to offer hunters an alternative to the problem of reduced ammunition stock. And who knows … those who are new to the muzzleloader scene may just discover a way to put the excitement back into the hunt and to extend their hunting season in the process.

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