Why this modern .50-caliber muzzleloader should be considered by first time black powder hunters as well as seasoned big game hunters.

There is something about hunting with a muzzleloader. Maybe it’s the history of the firearm, maybe it’s the challenge of making that first shot count or maybe it’s just that you get to spend a few more days in the woods. Whatever the reason, muzzleloader hunting has developed a following among hunters who respect the traditions of the sport.

If you’ve hunted deer with a centerfire rifle all your life the idea of jumping into the muzzleloader world is a little intimidating. Different loading methods, different cleaning requirements and a learning curve that doesn’t exist with modern cartridges — fortunately today’s inline muzzleloaders make it easy to jump in.

One firearm that warrants serious consideration is the CVA Wolf V2 .50 caliber muzzleloader. Designed for simplicity, affordability and practical hunting performance, the Wolf V2 is an excellent introduction to a style of hunting every serious deer hunter should experience at least once.
A modern take on traditional hunting. CVA has been around muzzleloading for decades with entry level firearms to sophisticated rifles for experienced hunters. The Wolf V2 fits into the company’s lineup as a practical budget conscious gun without sacrificing anything that matters most to a hunter.

One of the first things a new muzzleloader hunter will like about the Wolf V2 is that it’s break-action. Unlike sidelock muzzleloaders (which are more familiar with older ignition systems) the inline design makes this firearm much easier to get into.

The break-action system makes it easy to get into the breech and primer area. It also has CVA’s Quick Release Breech Plug system which makes maintenance and cleaning much easier. Anyone who has cleaned a traditional black powder rifle will appreciate this convenience.

The Wolf V2 also has a corrosion-resistant stainless steel barrel, removable stock spacer for length of pull adjustment, ambidextrous stock and CrushZone recoil pad. These aren’t fancy decorations; they are practical features — easier to fit different shooters and more comfortable to carry on a long day in the deer woods.

Why the Wolf V2 Makes Sense for Beginners. There are a few reasons I think a first time muzzleloader hunter should seriously consider the Wolf V2. Maybe biggest is that it’s relatively low financial commitment.

A hunter can buy a premium muzzleloader, optics and accessories before he ever shoots one. There is a place for expensive equipment but a beginner doesn’t need it.

The Wolf V2 has all the features of a modern hunting muzzleloader at an affordable price. If you’re curious about adding a muzzleloader season to your calendar then that makes a lot of sense.

Another advantage is that the rifle is fairly small. At 24 inches barrel length and synthetic stock weight it should be easy to carry through woods, across fields or up into an elevated hunting stand. It’s also a good choice for younger hunters and those who like shorter firearms.

The adjustable length of pull is very handy. A gun that fits the shooter well is easier to shoulder consistently and generally more pleasant to shoot (which is why it’s important when introducing a younger generation to hunting).

The 3-9×32 scope included in the featured package is another lure. Many hunters are familiar with this magnification range from their centerfire deer rifles. Familiarity reduces how many new things a hunter has to learn when he moves from centerfire to muzzleloading.

Of course a scoped rifle still has to be sighted in properly and the hunter has to get familiar with the projectile and approved propellant combination being used. The Wolf V2 isn’t a shortcut around good marksmanship. It’s just a familiar platform on which to develop it.
Muzzleloader Season: More Time in the Woods. For the serious deer hunter perhaps the biggest reason to consider a muzzleloader is the additional time in the woods that it gives you.

Across much of the US, wildlife agencies have special muzzleloader seasons that may fall before or after traditional modern-firearm seasons. Dates, equipment allowed and licensing requirements vary widely from state to state.

In some areas muzzleloader hunters get an early opportunity to pursue deer before the general firearms season gets heavier. In others special late season opportunities let hunters return to the woods after rifle season is over.

Both situations have their advantages.

An early-season hunt may give you a chance to watch deer feeding and travel patterns that haven’t been heavily disrupted by hunting yet. A late-season hunt can be quite different — colder weather, changing food sources and deer behavior affected by weeks of hunting activity beforehand.

For hunters who spend months setting food plots, hanging stands, scouting property and checking trail cameras— having another shot at that investment is appealing.

There’s also something to be said for the atmosphere of muzzleloader season. In some areas there are fewer hunters in the woods. It can be quieter and more deliberate — patience and preparation are more important.

A hunter who normally puts away his rifle after the regular season might find that some of his best days in the woods are spent with a muzzleloader.
A Different Kind of Hunting Challenge. Modern centerfire rifles are great tools. Hunters today have accurate rifles, good optics and ammunition that can perform well at long ranges.

The muzzleloader brings a different perspective.

Modern inline muzzleloaders can be very accurate but hunters still have to realize what their equipment is capable of. Follow-up shots are much slower and success on a hunt often depends upon making that first shot count.

This is how a hunter goes to the field.

Instead of hoping for a quick second shot, the muzzleloader hunter has to be very deliberate about which shot to take and how far away from the animal he shoots it. Patience is required and the hunter may have passed up opportunities that would have been acceptable with another firearm.

For experienced big game hunters this is part of the draw.

A hunter who has taken many deer with a .270 Winchester, .308 Winchester or .30-06 Springfield may find carrying a muzzleloader brings excitement to familiar hunting ground.

The challenge isn’t really to make the hunt harder. It is to experience the hunt in a different way.
The .50-Caliber Advantage. The .50-caliber muzzleloader has been a favorite among American big game hunters (whitetail deer in particular) for decades now.

One reason is the wide availability of hunting projectiles and accessories. A new hunter will generally be able to find compatible .50-caliber bullets, cleaning equipment and muzzleloading supplies through established sporting-goods retailers.

The Wolf V2’s 1:28 twist rate is for modern muzzleloading projectiles so it will accept the kind of hunting bullets associated with today’s inline muzzleloaders.

For the whitetail hunter .50 caliber is a well-established hunting round when used with the proper projectile and within the shooter’s demonstrated accuracy limits.

As with any hunting firearm shot placement is still more important than ballistic figures. A well placed shot at a reasonable range is always better than trying to make an impossible shot because that particular firearm theoretically can make it.

The Wolf V2 is best viewed as a hunting rifle rather than trying to compete with specialized long range muzzleloading systems.
Learning the Responsibilities of Muzzleloading. One thing you can’t overlook is muzzleloading requires a different mindset about firearm care and safety.

Unlike centerfire ammunition (the components are put together into a cartridge) a muzzleloader requires the shooter to understand that the firearm has ignition, propellant and projectile systems all separate from each other.

The shooter must follow manufacturer’s instructions precisely, use only approved components and make sure the firearm is being maintained properly.

Cleaning is especially important. Black powder and many substitutes leave residue that must be removed as specified by the manufacturer; if maintenance is neglected reliability will suffer and eventually damage to the firearm may occur.

The Wolf V2’s break-action is easy to operate and the breech plug can be removed making this responsibility easier (especially if you are new to shooting).

New shooters should be taught by an experienced muzzleloader hunter or firearms instructor before heading out into the field. Modern smokeless powder must never be substituted for approved muzzleloading propellants unless a particular firearm is expressly designed and rated for it.
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Bringing the next generation into the sport. I think one of the most under-appreciated benefits of muzzleloader hunting is that it gives us an opportunity to introduce younger hunters to our sport and the traditions behind it.

There’s a lot to learn beyond just pulling the trigger. Muzzleloading teaches history of firearms; careful preparation, maintenance and marksmanship.

The Wolf V2’s adjustable stock, light weight and simple layout make it a good choice for a well supervised younger hunter.

A father or grandfather who has spent decades hunting with modern rifles may find that introducing a son, daughter or grandchild to muzzleloading is an experience they both remember for years.

There is a connection to American hunting history with carrying a muzzleloader (even an inline one). Today’s equipment may be far more sophisticated than the rifles carried by our forebears but loading from the muzzle still exists.

That connection is worth preserving.
Why Traditional Rifle Hunters Should Try It. If you already have a good deer rifle and have hunted successfully for years why would you want to buy a muzzleloader?

My answer is simple: opportunity and enjoyment.

A muzzleloader gives you more hunting opportunities in many states, a different challenge and gives experienced hunters another reason to get out there.

There’s also the satisfaction of learning another firearm system. Hunters who like to learn about ballistics, equipment and shooting techniques might find muzzleloading especially satisfying.