Types of Inline Muzzle Loaders

Inline muzzleloaders are the modern version of the rifles Davy Crockett and Daniel Boone hunted with. Inline muzzleloaders offer improved accuracy and reliability compared to the muzzleloaders of yore. There are a few different types of modern variations on the gun; the type you choose will depend on the kind of hunting you do.

  1. Big Game Inline Muzzleloaders

    • Inline muzzleloaders come in a variety of calibers, but most are meant for going after big game like elk. The Big Game Hunt website reports that most inline muzzleloader come chambered in either .45 or .50 caliber. They recommend going after elk with nothing smaller than a .50. Deer or other smaller game animals may be taken with a .45 caliber weapon.

    Bolt-Action Inline Muzzleloaders

    • Bolt-action inline muzzleloaders incorporate the bolt of modern centerfire rifles. According to gun writer Randy D. Smith, bolt actions on inline muzzleloaders offer a few advantages, including added protection of the percussion nipple, and a sturdy, ergonomic shooting platform. However, they also tend to have a long, awkward action and tend to be more difficult to clean. Many manufacturers of inline muzzleloaders offer at least one line of bolt action rifles.

    Open-Breech/Plunger Style Inline Muzzleloaders

    • Open-breech inline muzzleloaders look and function like modern lever-action or rifles. A barrel is attached to a breech plug attached to a housing that hides a spring loaded plunger that is usually attached to an external hammer and used to strike the igniter and fire the gun. Randy D. Smith notes that these types of inline muzzleloaders handle much like modern rimfire rifles, but that the action and ignition blowback make mounting scopes on these guns somewhat problematic.

    Scout Rifle Inline Muzzleloaders

    • Scout rifles are lightweight, short-barreled rifles designed to pack enough punch to successfully take down big game. Initially developed in centerfire versions, scout rifles come in muzzleloader form, too. Because they are built to be lightweight, they are usually outfitted with synthetic stocks. Additionally, scout rifles usually have forward-mounted scopes of a low magnification that allow for quick honing in on targets while shooting from a standing position. Scout muzzleloading rifles may have either bolt or break-open style actions.