I've never hunted with one before but i have shot a remington genesis and was really pleased with it. The accuracy was amazing.

I bought a CVA Optima 2 years ago. I love it. Out of the box I was putting a 295gr. power belt bullet with 150gr. of powder in a 3in. group. (no scope) And for the price I could not pass it up.

I am looking at getting one over the summer. any suggestions on brands,models,optics,etc.

While I am a "trad" and like my caplock, if there was one gun out their that caught my eye it was the CVA with the electronic ignition. They don't seem to make em with anything but plastic stocks, but I think the electric spark ignition is such a great idea, I'd love to try it out. No caps to fumble, wow! Loading becomes Pour the charge, ram the ball home and fire! With a speedloader that is ram, then fire, repeat!
Otherwise I have always liked the T/C rifles, especially the ones that convert from muzzleloaders to centerfire rifles by changing the barrel, but hinge action muzzleloaders are verboten in the Mass. BP season so there is little point
I like the looks of the "rolling Block" muzzleloader (from Knight I think) where the Rolling Block Mechanism serves to handle a 209 primer but it seems to beak the kiss rule.It is available with pretty nice wood for the stock if (as I do) you prefer that. I'd like a rolling block, but as it was intended, as a centerfire rifle.
It is now off season in most places, good used muzzleloaders are coming onto used gun racks, It is a good time to look for next season's rifle, good luck.

The TC Endeavor .50 cal has proven to be a good choice for me. I was fortunate to get $250 trade in on it for my Rem. 700ML from a local small dealer because Gander Mtn, Scheel's, Cabela's etc. will not take trades on ML's. They all said something about liability policy. The 700ML was difficult to clean and front end heavy because of the light weight syn. stock and did not get the patterns as tight as I would have preferred. The unreliable firing was solved with a 209 conversion.

When I test fired the Endeavor @100 yds I was able to get the very first shot with the open sights about 3" upper right of center while standing using the bipod I use in the field. The following shot was on the edge of the target and the next 2 were off more because I forgot about running a cleaning patch and probably deformed the bullets while loading.

I have since mounted and sighted the scope that I kept from the 700ML. I took my first muzzleloader deer during the Nov. antlerless season at about 75 yds while still hunting. I am using 150 grains of pyrodex pellets and a 250 grain Hornady sabot. The last Sat. of the Dec. season I took another doe at about 55 yds.

The Endeavor is premium priced but comes with the Speed Breech XT which removes by hand making cleaning and running a patch thru at the range fast and easy and the composite FlexTech stock with Energy Burners really does reduce stock shock. I have shot up to 8 practice rounds with no shoulder soreness as compared to the 700ML which I could feel after just 2 shots. The overmolding on the fore end feels good and secure when carrying in the field. It balances fine on the shoulder with a sling but it is a little top heavy when slung over your back so just remember to adjust it tighter or take it off and carry it when crouching thru heavy underbrush.

I am very satisfied with the performance and pleased with the value. Not to mention the excellent styling.

Hokay, I got my "new" muzzleloader. I fell in love with a David Pedersoli Pennsylvania flintlock longrifle with a beautiful stock, an elegant patchbox and a beautiful browned .45 barrel. I hit my target with my first round, trying it out, it is all of 57 inches muzzle to butt but surprisingly easy to swing and handle. With it on my range, I felt like I was shooting with Fess Parker (RIP). The rifle is used and I got it in a private sale, but it is in wonderful condition, with just a few dings in the wood. It belonged to a dear departed friend and I will also enjoy shooting a rifle that belonged to somebody I was fond of, guns make great memorials!

i shoot a T/C omega 50. with 250 grain shockwaves and 2 tripple 7 pellets, i can get five shots in a one inch group at 100 yards rested and im happy with that myself

I love shooting black powder but I think I'll stick with my side-hammer rock-crusher. I lean more traditional instead one of those modern doodads with batteries, scope, preformed pellets, and sabots but that's just me. I guess its sorta like flyfishing, for some reason I tend to do it the hard way.