Muzzleloading hunters are always seeking to extend their range, making powder, bullets, and especially rifles of great interest to them. Additionally, muzzleloading rifles are legal in most shotgun-only seasons. and the ability to maximize one accurate shot gives frontloading gear the edge. Last fall I hunted in the Great Plains with a group of friends who tested the new Traditions Vortek, a muzzleloading rifle designed to shoot accurately to 200 yards and beyond with its unique 28-inch barrel. Hunting tests are rarely scientific, yet several hunters took bucks at extended range on the first shot, and our tests in camp showed the rifle was spot-on at longer range. If you are considering a new blackpowder rifle for fall hunting, check out these stats.
In development since 2008, this patent-pending rifle takes features from the popular Vortek series but incorporates a StrikerFire system which has no external hammer. The system is easy to use — slide the striker button forward until it locks and then shoot. By eliminating an external hammer, this allows for faster lock time, the ability to mount your scope closer to the bore, and also a crisp breaking trigger. Additionally, this system allows the gun to operate with less weight, keeping it light at 6.25 lbs. De-cocking the firearm is simple. The recessed de-cocking button allows for quick and quiet de-cocking of the firearm. Also, when you break open the gun an automatic de-cocking occurs. This rifle is equipped with 2 safeties — a trigger block safety and a striker block safety, making it one of the safest guns on the market.
This rifle has a 28” tapered, fluted Magnum Chromoly barrel, which is one of the best barrel materials for strength and accuracy. It is also equipped with a 1-piece stainless steel Accelerator Breech Plug, which allows you to fire both loose and palletized powder without changing the breech plug. The Speed Load System in the barrel enables easier loading and more consistent groups. The crisp, clean breaking trigger is set at 3 lbs. and is a 2 stage trigger. A new feature on this gun is the Removable Butt Pad which removes with the touch of a button to allow for convenient storage.
