SHOT Show Highlight: Traditions NitroFire Muzzleloader

by
posted on January 24, 2020
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
standa_05a_traditions_nitrofire-gun.jpg

Traditions Performance Firearms has teamed up with Hodgdon and Federal Premium Ammunition to take inline muzzle loader hunting rifles to a whole new level of convenient and reliable operation with the new Nitrofire series.

The genius of this new system is the weather proof design of the polymer Firestick powder charge, which is manufactured by Federal. It is completely sealed in order to keep the Hodgdon Triple Eight powder perfectly dry. A black polymer wad keeps the water out at the business end of the stick while a thin polymer membrane protects the flash hole in the primer pocket. A Firestick has been soaked in water for 5-hours and then fired with no ill effects.

The easiest way to appreciate how this rifle works is a quick walkthrough of the loading process. It begins by driving a saboted bullet into the barrel with a ram rod on to an empty chamber. A ledge atop the chamber prevents the bullet from being seated too deeply.

With the cross bolt safety in the SAFE position, open the action. Insert the polymer Firestick powder charge into the chamber and then place a 209 shotgun shell primer into the primer pocket of the Firestick. Close the action and the muzzle loader is ready to fire.

That’s all there is to it! It’s only two steps away from being a simple to operate as a break-action, single-shot rifle or shotgun. Because the primer pocket is incorporated into the disposable Firesticks there’s no small parts to remove or clean. Just run a bore brush through the wide open breech and the rifle is ready to go.  

Tradition’s Nitrofire rifle collection includes no less than 10 new .50-caliber models with suggested retail prices ranging from $549 to $1,220. For more information, please visit traditionsfirearms.com.

Latest

Ihtog Walther P38 1
Ihtog Walther P38 1

I Have This Old Gun: Walther P38

On the eve of World War II, the German military sought a new sidearm that was easier to manufacture than the P08 Luger. Its answer was the P38.

C&H Precision STRYKR: A Red-Dot Sight for PDWs

The C&H Precision STRYKR is a hard-use, enclosed-emitter optic designed for PDWs and compact carbines.

Rifleman Interview: Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 OD Green Topographic Rifle

At “Plinkapalooza” in May we had a chance to try out the latest Smith & Wesson M&P15-22 rifle.

Patriots Landing Announces "A Nation Remembers" Veterans Weekend

Patriots Landing, a faith-based veterans workshop based in Kentucky, announced it would hold "A Nation Remembers" veterans weekend in Grant County, Ky., from Sept. 16-20.

Past NRA President Allan Cors, 1936-2026: Liberty Takes A Loss

One of liberty’s champions, past NRA President Allan D. Cors died on August 10, 2026.

Moving to the Micro Red-Dot: An Old Dog Learns Some New Tricks

After shooting open-sighted handguns for more than 40 years, the author's aging eyes finally caught up to him, and his concealed-carry pistol now sports a red-dot optic.

Interests



Get the best of American Rifleman delivered to your inbox.