NitroFire & Firestick: Next-Level Muzzleloading System
Quick Answer
The Traditions NitroFire is a .50-caliber break-action inline muzzleloader built around Federal FireStick ignition. Instead of pouring loose powder, you seat the bullet from the muzzle, then drop a pre-measured, fully encapsulated FireStick charge (100 or 120 grain) into the breech and cap it with a 209 primer. Because the powder is sealed, it is weatherproof and far more consistent than traditional loose-powder loading.
Traditions NitroFire & FireStick: quick facts
How does the Traditions NitroFire FireStick work?
You load the bullet down the muzzle, break the action open, insert a Federal FireStick (an encapsulated powder charge), add a 209 shotgun primer, and close it — no loose powder or measuring.
What powder charges are available?
FireStick charges come in 100-grain and 120-grain options, using Hodgdon Triple 8 propellant for clean, even burning.
Is the FireStick weatherproof?
Yes — the charge is fully encapsulated, so it is impervious to moisture; you will not get a wet or ruined charge in the field.
What caliber and barrel is the NitroFire?
.50 caliber with a 26-inch fluted Chromoly barrel and a 1:24 VAPR twist, plus Traditions Elite XT trigger.
Looks like “primitive weapons season” just got less primitive!
Earlier this year, we heard that Traditions–a leading muzzleloader manufacturer–was teaming up with Federal Premium to create an all-new (but still old-school) muzzleloading system. It’s called the NitroFire muzzleloader enhanced with Federal’s Firestick system, and it’s shipping to dealers now…just in time for “primitive weapons” season. But this ain’t your granddaddy’s muzzleloader.
The NitroFire is the only muzzleloader on the market that uses the Federal’s Firestick system. The .50-caliber rifle has a 26-inch ultra-light chromoly steel fluted and tapered barrel, 1:28” twist rifling, Dual Safety System, and many other features. One cool feature is the new Elite XT trigger system. The Elite XT™ trigger system is designed with a rebounding hammer and a manual cross block trigger safety.
Here’s how the system works. The Firestick is an encapsulated polymer powder charge filled with Hodgdon Triple Eight powder. Simply load your bullet from the muzzle, then insert the Firestick into the breech of the NitroFire rifle. The Firestick™ is impervious to moisture and has the same tight tolerances and quality controls as loaded ammunition.
Traditions President Tom Hall says “The NitroFire and Firestick system provides a safer muzzleloading experience which has always been a focus for Traditions. This system helps to eliminate the risk of accidentally over-charging your muzzleloader as well as increasing reliability and accuracy. The Firestick System combined with the features of the NitroFire truly make for revolutionary muzzleloader. We are excited to have the NitroFire in the marketplace.”
The MSRP for the NitroFire ranges from $549-$1202. For more information on the NitroFire® including product features, legality, and ballistics information, visit www.traditionsfirearms.com/nitrofire.
That powder charge doesn’t come cheap. And for only a one time use.
Still a single shot… Still have to load from the muzzle… Still have to use a ramrod … Seems like just a safer way to load the charge to me… If it isn’t primitive enough for you, I assume all of you are using open sights.?? I could argue that the use of scopes or modern day optics would disqualify a muzzle loader more so than a ‘firestick’.
There is NOTHING PRIMITIVE about this rifle! A self contained powder charge? come on now! Most of the hunters I know use a side lock ignition either caplock or flintlock where you pour the powder down the barrel followed by a patched round ball.
This may be a black powder rifle, but don’t expect it to be considered as primitive and should NOT be allowed in any primitive hunting season!
Could not agree more.
Not a muzzle loader. Ream out the bullet stop in the barrel and load projectile and powder cartridge from the breech. Next step, just fasten the bullet to the powder case…
Just like a single shot shotgun with a slug , not a muzzleloader just a black powder gun and not primitive !
Not even black powder.
I can’t think of a better way to get the ATF to reclassify muzzle loaders as “firearms”, and get the states to not allow their use during black powder season. Don’t give me that crap about having checked with the ATF before they were brought to market. The people that made bump stocks did that too.
I really don’t care for all the new fangled systems. I know al lot of my hunting brothers do but I believe that primitive weapons seasons were intended for primitive weapons. You can tout this a safer system or more impervious to weather system all you want but that is exactly what hunting with a muzzle loader during primitive weapons season is all about.
Keep your powder dry and follow the loading procedures correctly and hunt primitively. Not with some fancy breechloader that you load only your bullet from the muzzle. I could do the same thing with my 30’06 but that wouldn’t make it a primitive weapon! Call it efficient and safer but it is no longer a primitive weapon in my book.
I agree 100%. There’s nothing ‘primitive’ about it.
Consider the 30-06 is over 100 years old, it could be considered “Primitive”.