I have never owned a muzzleloader but I am wanting to buy one. Are there any particular brands to stay away from? 50cal or 45?

Not so much...CVA, Traditions, TC, etc...all make good ML's, but you'll also now and then find a lemon with any of those names on it. Shoot some, CLEAN some, see what you like, then get one.

I have a Traditions Buckstalker in 50 cal... I LOVE IT!
The only drawback is the cleaning, but after you do it a few times you will get used to it.
Good luck!

I don't know which ones to stay away from, but I would take a hard look at ones made by Thompson Center. I have a Traditions Pursuit and other than the 20# trigger it does the job. I shot my friend's T/C Omega last fall and it had an awesome trigger, easy to load, easy to clean, and very accurate.

I am now saving my money for either an Omega or Encore.

I have a TC triumph and love it. No experience with any other brand.

Remington Ml with custom barrels and breachplugs....I do have a
tc omega ss .50 that shoots lights out to.

Thompson Center makes fine muzzleloaders and has for years.

The new Strike muzzleloader is pretty cool. It's designed similar to a break-open shotgun so you can add the 209 primer and has some tweaks like a large trigger grip for gloved fingers and removable breech plug for easy cleaning.

https://www.tcarms.com/firearms/muzzleloaders/strike

Me personally I would rather use a muzzleloader. I have several. My personal preference is my Gonic .45, White .45 or my custom build from West Virginia. I like custom guns rather than mass produced. However I have a couple Knights, one CVA and a TC.

If I was in the market for a new muzzleloader, I would give a serious look at one of the CVA's with the Bergera barrels. Some of them even have a Nitride coating on the barrels that helps with rust prevention. Easy to clean with the speed breach as well. Whichever gun you choose, I would encourage trying the Blackhorn 209 powder if you haven't already.

That's a neat looking setup.

Get the CVA Optima or Wolf. That breech plug is a game changer. I've owned old style remington 700, couple T/Cs. That finger tightening breech plug is most awesome thing I've seen in muzzleloading.

The new Thompson-Center has that screw-out breech plug, too. I have an older CVA with one. They're awesome. Truly a great innovation for inlines.

That is a good looking rifle. If I ever go back to inlines from sidelocks, I'll give that one a hard look!

I am in the market for a new muzzleloader, so I have been doing some reading and research. Found out something interesting about the Strike. It is actually a rebranded model that was developed by a new company (LHR Sporting Arms) formed by former TC employees. TC bought the company and began producing the rifle under the TC brand. The only downside I see right off is that you have to buy a breech plug adapter if you want to use loose powder. New LHR Redemptions can still be purchased but the "Lifetime Warranty" is probably worthless?

Buy a TC Encore and you'll never need to buy another ML. Plus you can buy different caliber barrels and diversify your setup.

I almost ordered one of those LHR's a few years ago but my CVA Optima does everything I have ever needed or wanted.
I keep hoping this thing will kick the bucket so I can get a new MZL but it is batting 100% on numerous animals right now so it would be bad mojo to change.

Traditions Strikerfire!

Top to bottom;

Encore
Optima
Optima Pistol

Encore is my go to gun, but that Optima is a fine gun and have killed several deer with it. Still wanting to kill one with the handgun. Love some smokepole!

Side note. Our own PRB dipped those two bottom gun stocks for me. Man does good work.

Man those look great.