For hunters and shooting enthusiasts looking to elevate their black powder experience, the Traditions NitroBolt stands out as a game-changer. Combining precision engineering with modern innovation, this Traditions muzzleloader delivers exceptional accuracy, ease of use, and reliability in the field. Whether you’re chasing whitetails in the woods or testing your skills at the range, the NitroBolt provides the power and performance you need. This article will explore what makes this Traditions Muzzleloader a must-have for any serious smoke pole hunter.
Why this Traditions Muzzleloader is Different
Traditions Firearms is revolutionizing muzzleloading with the all-new NitroBolt—the first bolt-action muzzleloader engineered for the cutting-edge Federal Firestick™ ignition system. Say goodbye to messy powder measuring and overcharging—insert the preloaded Firestick™, add a No. 209 primer, and load your bullet of choice for a consistent, accurate, hassle-free shot every time. Designed for hunters who demand precision and reliability, the NitroBolt features a 24-inch free-floated chromoly steel barrel with a 1:24-inch VAPR twist, ensuring superior accuracy. The threaded barrel allows for customization with a muzzle brake or suppressor. At the same time, the three-lug bolt with a 60-degree lift makes operation smooth and effortless—even with a riflescope. A three-position safety and cocking indicator add to the firearm’s security, and the adjustable stock ensures a perfect fit for every shooter. Why settle for outdated technology? Upgrade your muzzleloader today with the NitroBolt and experience the next generation of accuracy, ease, and performance.
Traditions NitroBolt Features
The NitroBolt is feature-rich, including:
50 caliber tapered and fluted barrel
1:24″ VAPR Twist
Adjustable cheek piece
Adjustable length of pull
Threaded barrel
60 degree bolt
3 position safety
3 locking lugs
Free-floating barrel
Pillar bedded stock
Cocking indicator
Comes with a base
Patented extractor for the Firestick™
Available this summer—get ready for the hunting season.
Advantages of the Traditions NitroBolt
The NitroBolt is a huge step forward for muzzleloader enthusiasts looking to simplify use and maintenance and find improved accuracy and consistency. The new design is a game-changer for any muzzleloading enthusiast.
How this new Traditions Muzzleloader works
The bolt-action muzzleloader adds stability to the back end of the rifle, increasing performance and decreasing maintenance. The NitroBolt loads a bullet down the barrel, which sits firmly on a shelf. A Federal Premium FireStick with a 209 primer inserted into the back is loaded into the chamber, where the three-lug bolt guides it into place beneath the bullet and locks it firmly in place. The Firestick™ and bolt-action ensure that all the propellant energy is forced down the barrel and that fouling or blowback is minimized. The FireStick uses Triple 8 powder, reducing fouling and cleaning and adding to accuracy and consistency.
The muzzleloader offers adjustability in the length of pull and at the cheekpiece to quickly align the firearm with a stable and precise line of sight down the barrel. The rifle melded into my shoulder, and as I tightened up on the trigger, the target revealed the point of impact on the top edge of the bullseye. I shot six more times to familiarize myself with the new muzzleloader, and the tight grouping of bullet holes in the target provided the confidence to head back into the field, knowing I was ready for a big buck.
The NitroBolt uses the proven Federal Firestick™ technology
Federal FireSticks come in 100-grain and 120-grain options. The polymer casing looks like a shotshell but is packed with Hodgdon Triple Eight powder, known for its clean and reliable burn, that reduces barrel fouling in muzzleloaders. Before loading the firearm, a 209 primer is placed into the FireStick, which is then loaded into the muzzleloader’s breech and ready to fire. Loading and unloading your muzzleloader is safe and easy with this new technology. Sold in 10-count packs.
Purchase Federal FireSticks Here
Using the Traditions NitroBolt Muzzleloader in the Field
The Oklahoma sunrise was spectacular but came with red-sky warnings of a windy day ahead. The blind I sat in was perched on the edge of a steep draw cut into the red dirt by years of rain events and periodic flowing water. An office chair that swiveled 360 degrees was crucial, as deer could approach from any direction, and doing laps in the blind was as easy as pushing my toes sideways on the carpet floor. A small buck came from the west, and after he skirted the top edge of the draw, three coyotes advanced in its footsteps. The buck must have known it was being followed and slipped up a hill and circled back to remain undetected.
The coyotes split up, with one covering the top of the draw on the downwind side. The largest headed down the bottom of the draw, and the third held back to watch the back door. The hunting strategy was eye-opening as the biggest dog tried to roost or chase deer out of cover to flee downwind or out of the draw to other coyotes. The yotes regrouped about 300 yards up the draw to cover the next brush-choked funnel.
Despite travel delays, my hunting companions ensured my rifle was zeroed and ready for opening day at Rut N Strut Guide Services. Despite only getting three hours of sleep, I was in my blind before sunrise, knowing that strong winds would challenge the hunt.
The forecast for the week was extreme winds, and getting out for the calmest part of the day was imperative. It was one of the rare times I was happy a big buck didn’t wander down the trail, as not having sighted in the rifle myself weighed heavy on my mind.
Returning to camp late in the morning, setting up a target, and sending the first shot downrange didn’t take long. I didn’t doubt my hunting companion’s ability to sight in a rifle. However, I was anxious to play with the latest and greatest muzzleloader to hit the market—a Traditions NitroBolt.
The evening hunt was quiet. Below me, a small buck and doe fed on prairie grasses and shrubs. They were entertaining, but the big ones evaded us. Plans were made for the morning when winds were expected to pick up.
My seasoned guide, Todd Rogers, pointed to the dark horizon and indicated that a winter wheat field about a mile away would provide a steady source of deer moving through the draw during the morning. The creeks are major deer highways in the hot and dry region, and long before legal shooting light, I could make out the outline of deer in my Burris binoculars moving across the ridge parallel to my blind. As the sun brightened the eastern horizon, deer started to move in small groups. Some walked the trails, while others trotted and loped towards the security and comfort of the brushy security ahead. Small sets of antlers could be distinguished in the pale light, and when a mature buck appeared with a group of does, my heart started to race.
The rangefinder told me the buck was 140 yards away. The window on the blind was opened carefully, and I steadied my NitroBolt on shooting sticks. The rifle was topped with a Burris Veracity PH scope calibrated for the muzzleloader on the range. I dialed the distance in the heads-up display and settled the crosshair on the buck’s vitals. The parade of other deer made finding the right shot opportunity challenging. However, when the does cleared the area behind the buck, the safety was switched off, and my finger found the trigger.
The crosshair settled on the vitals, and I slowly squeezed until the rifle recoiled into my shoulder and the buck dropped in its tracks. Everything happened so fast that the other deer stood, trying to figure out what happened. A second bullet was loaded down the barrel, and a new FireStick bolted in place in case a follow-up shot was required. The loading process for a front stuffer was extremely fast. Removing the charge from the rifle was even easier before loading the deer and returning to camp.
The hunt lasted just two days, but strong winds forced us to spend extra time at the range. The NitroBolt continued to impress, handling harsh conditions with ease and precision. The FireStick™ technology minimized fouling, making cleaning quick and simple. The bolt was disassembled easily and required no maintenance after several days of hunting.
Take Down and Clean the Traditions NitroBolt
Consider Upgrading your Optics When Using the Traditions Muzzleloader
Upgrading your optics is a worthy consideration due to the notable boost in downrange accuracy and the capacity to hit targets precisely at longer distances. I selected the Burris Veracity PH and found it to be user-friendly and incredibly accurate. It enhances precision for both muzzleloaders and centerfire rifles at extended ranges.
The Burris Veracity PH riflescope and the updated BurrisConnect app make long-range shooting more straight by uploading your custom ballistic profiles with any muzzleloader or centerfire caliber, youward and precise. You can create rifle setups and input environmental or centerfire caliber. The app then calculates the perfect adjustments, allowing you to dial the elevation turret for an accurate shot—no complicated math is required.
At the heart of the Veracity PH is the PĒK (Programmable Elevation Knob) system, which integrates a digital sensor with a click-less mechanical elevation turret, delivering accuracy down to 1/10 MOA. The heads-up display (HUD) provides real-time elevation adjustments in yards, meters, or MOA, as well as rifle cant, angle, wind holdover, and battery level—ensuring you have all the critical data in view without looking away from your target.
The BurrisConnect app also generates a custom dope card, allowing you to confirm your scope’s data and even operate without batteries. Once you upload a ballistic profile, the scope updates instantly and requires no further app use unless you want to change your settings.
Read our Review of the Burris Veracity PH here
Purchase the Burris Veracity PH Riflescope (click to purchase on Amazon)
