Best Long Range Muzzleloaders of 2021

In the past, long-range and muzzleloading were two prases that did not belong in the same sentence, but with muzzleloader technology developing, we have seen many manufacturers introduce muzzleloaders that are capable of incredible accuracy at longer ranges.

With competition muzzleloader shooting on the rise and muzzleloader hunting becoming increasingly popular, we decided that it was time for us to give you our pick for the best Long Range Muzzleloader in 2021. All muzzleloaders that are able to achieve an MOA group and carry lethal velocity at ranges of at least 250 yards were considered by our team. While centerfire rifles are capable of achieving MOA accuracy at much greater distances, we consider 250 yards to be a long-range shot when using synthetic black powder and bullets with lower ballistic coefficients.

Below are our top 5 contenders for this award and they are listed in alphabetical order, with the winner announced at the end of this article. 

CVA™ Paramount Pro

The CVA™ Paramount Pro was introduced in 2020 as a substantial upgrade over the original Paramount muzzleloader. The Paramount Pro features a fully adjustable Trigger Tech trigger and a 26” Nitride treated Bergara barrel with a Flat Dark Earth CeraKote finish.

The Paramount Pro is available in .40, .45, and .50 caliber which means that this muzzleloader offers a legal option for hunting during designated muzzleloader seasons in 48 states. This muzzleloader also features a Greyboe Terrain Stock, which is lighter than the original Paramount Stock and makes it perfect for hunting applications. Instead of using a 209 primer, the Paramount Pro uses a VariFlame ignition system, allowing it to fire a large rifle primer, which provides more consistent powder ignition.

The Paramount Pro is considered to be a super magnum muzzleloader, which means that it will accommodate larger powder charges than a standard magnum muzzleloader. This increase in powder capacity and the ability to use the PowerBelt ELR bullets allow the CVA Paramount Pro to hold an MOA group and carry lethal velocity to 300+ yards. The CVA Paramount Pro is available for an MSRP of $1,845. This feature-packed muzzleloader has proven itself to be one of the most accurate long-range muzzleloaders available and it has earned its spot on our list.

CVA™ Paramount HTR

New for 2021, the CVA Paramount HTR is the next evolution in the CVA Paramount line. The Paramount HTR features the CVA HTR Stock, which has an adjustable cheekpiece, ensuring a proper cheek weld to the stock no matter what height rings you are using.

The Paramount HTR features a 26” Nitride treated Bergara barrel with a 1:22 twist rate, which allows this muzzleloader to pair very nicely with the PowerBelt ELR bullet. Similar to the Paramount Pro, the Paramount HTR is a super magnum that uses the VariFlame ignition, giving this muzzleloader the ability to hold an MOA group at 300+ yards. To top it all off the Paramount HTR is available in .40 or .45 caliber, which provides you with yet another level of customization.

The feature-rich design of the CVA Paramount HTR is available for an MSRP of $1,225. There are few muzzleloaders that can keep up with the CVA Paramount HTR and it is worthy of being named one of the best long-range muzzleloaders. 

CVA™ Accura LR-X

The CVA Accura LR has been a customer favorite for many years and is already an excellent long-range muzzleloader, but CVA decided to up the ante in 2021 by introducing the Accura LR-X muzzleloader.

The CVA Accura LR-X boasts a 30” Nitride treated Bergara barrel with a CeraKote finish. It is available in either .45 or .50 caliber and is designed to pair with the PowerBelt ELR bullet for maximum long-range performance. One of the most important features that the LR-X offers is a threaded muzzle. The threaded muzzle allows you to easily install the Paramount muzzle brake for increased recoil reduction. This muzzleloader also features an adjustable trigger, as well as an adjustable cheek piece to optimize comfort and sight picture.

The CVA Accura LR-X will easily hold an MOA group at ranges of up to 300 yards and for an MSRP of only $675, it is one of the more affordable options on our list. We are confident that the CVA Accura LR-X is up for the rigorous task of long-range hunting and shooting and it has earned its place on our list. 

Traditions™ Vortek StrikerFire VAPR LDR

The Traditions™ Vortek StrikerFire VAPR LDR takes the popular Vortek StrikerFire LDR design and improves upon it by giving the barrel a 1:24 twist rate. The Vortek StrikerFire VAPR LDR features a 30” Chromoly steel barrel with a durable exterior CeraKote finish, which makes it extremely resistant to rust and corrosion. This muzzleloader is designed to hold an MOA group and carry lethal velocity at ranges of up to 300 yards. You will not find a muzzleloader with more safety features than the Traditions Vortek StrikerFire LDR.

The hammerless StrikerFire system allows you to safely decock the muzzleloader with the push of a button and it offers a trigger safety which is a feature that is not available through any other manufacturer. In addition to all of these features, the Traditions Vortek StrikerFire VAPR LDR weighs in at only 6.25 pounds, making it the lightest option on our list.

All of these features are available for the low MSRP of $424 and are offered in different camo patterns and CeraKote colors for a small price increase. When looking at all of the features that this muzzleloader brings to the table, it is impossible to deny its spot on our list of the best long-range muzzleloaders.

Thompson Center™ Pro Hunter FX

When you consider all of the great long-range muzzleloaders, it won’t be long before the Thompson Center Pro Hunter FX comes to mind. It is without a doubt one of the best available on the market today.

The Pro Hunter FX will allow you to take ethical hunting shots at ranges of up to 300 yards, and it will do so with a frame that is more compact than most other muzzleloaders in its class. With the Weather Shield coating making it almost impervious to the elements, the Pro Hunter FX is perfect for long, rainy days in the tree stand. When comfort is in the conversation, there is no question that the Pro Hunter FX is the most comfortable muzzleloader on our list. With the FlexTech recoil system and the over-molded comfort grips, you are sure to enjoy every shot without a bruised shoulder.

The Pro Hunter FX is available for an MSRP of $649 and it is offered in different camo patterns for a small increase in price. With all of these features, there is no question that the Thompson Center Pro Hunter FX is one of the best long-range muzzleloaders.

Conclusion

All of these rifles have proven that they are worthy of being considered the best long-range muzzleloaders, but when it comes down to it, there is one muzzleloader that stands above the rest, the CVA Paramount Pro. 

The CVA™ Paramount Pro offers almost everything that you could ask for in a long-range muzzleloader. While it doesn’t include all of the safety features found with the Traditions Vortek StrikerFire VAPR LDR or the recoil reduction of the Pro Hunter FX, it does offer a very reliable thumb safety, and the threaded muzzle allows for the use of a muzzle brake to reduce recoil.

Being able to accommodate larger powder charges allows the CVA™ Paramount Pro to carry lethal velocity to ranges of up to 500 yards, which is further than any other muzzleloader on our list, with the exception of the CVA Paramount HTR. The CVA Paramount Pro also boasts the most caliber options, offering the .40, .45, and .50 caliber configurations. When it comes to weather resistance, you can’t beat the Nitride treated Bergara barrel and CeraKote finish that is offered by the CVA Paramount Pro.

To top it all of, the fully adjustable Trigger Tech trigger provides you with a level of quality and customization that is not found in the other models. The CVA Paramount Pro has proven itself to be the most feature-rich and accurate muzzleloader on our list and that is why it takes home the title of Best Long Range Muzzleloader. 

While there are always a lot of guns that can be considered for a long-range muzzleloader, this list is what our team considers the cream of the crop. If you have any questions about these muzzleloaders or any other muzzleloaders, feel free to reach out to our friendly and knowledgeable customer service team at sales@muzzle-loaders.com or 1-855-236-5000.