.36 cal rifle.

[Bernie Schneider]

I've always had a "thing" about getting a .36.
Yea I know a .32 or .40 not much difference, but I'm hung on the .36 halfstock or full that is not a issue.
Right now I have a choiceof 4 different rifles for sale.
Pedersoli Frontier I believe
Hatfield--- both of these from the classifieds
TC Seneca - off a auction site
Blue Ridge from Cabelas
All are percussion, 2 are made off shore, 1 in the US the Hatfield I don't know.
Gut feeling which one would you go for?
Price range over all similar, $450.00 to about $650.00.
No I haven't looked at TOW lately.
Bernie :v

 

[rabjr]

None of the above....

Save, sell, collect aluminum cans, whatever you need to do and get the gun you want, like I did. http://www.nimrodsplace.com/nesquirrelrifle19.html

 

[cowpoke1955]

The Blue Ridge and the Frontier are the same rifle. All the Hatfields I've seen were identical the the other two Pedersolis. Out of those three, I'd pick the best condition at the lowest price. If you are handy with your hands, check out some of the kits at places like: http://www.avsia.com/tvm/ , http://www.earlyrusticarms.com/ , http://tennesseevalleymanufacturing.com/ and http://sittingfoxmuzzleloaders.com/ . Most of these places offer kits in this price range and just about any caliber you want. Might even find one in the white. Good luck :thumbsup:

 

[hawk]

swampy has the right idea.

 

[MikeC]

Yep...Swampy has the right idea.

My .36

 

[Billnpatti]

I have a full stock .36 that I built from a "kit" thsat I bought from TVM. It is a great shooting little gun and murder on squirrels. Personally, I prefer the looks of the fullstock rifles over the half stock rifles. Of those taht you mentioned, my preference would be the Hatfield because they have slow twist barrels that are made for patched roundballs. I am pretty sure that the others have a compromise 1:48 twist rate. HOWEVER!!!!! Be careful when purchasing a Hatfield rifle. At one time they made a really nice rifle. I am lucky enough to have a .50 cal Hatfield that is a well made rifle and is a tack driver. Later Hatfields really slipped in quality and the last ones made were really poorly made. If the rifle that you are looking at is an early model, it is probably a good gun. Do not buy a late model that was thrown together just as they were going out of business. They were pieces of crap.

 

[Trench]

I have the Cabelas Blue Ridge/Frontier Rifle in .36 and it does shoot very well. If you're smaller framed (kinda like me) the 14.5 inch LOP is a bit long. However, I get by and it's been a great hunting hunting rifle....after I made some changes.

Do consider Swampy's suggestion. My last rifle was a TVM and I will only be purchasing from builders from now on even though you have to wait for the rifle and it might take longer to get the funds.

 

[Bernie Schneider]

Well I'm definitely not small framed, so the length of pull would not be a issue.
Quite frankly I had not even thought about a rifle from a builder, its been 3 decades since I purchased any firearm new.
I guess I would lean to the Southern or poor boy style, for what little I know about that.
I like the plain rifle, with iron.
I guess I start looking. For me at this time kits are a nice thought, but not for me.
My bench in the basement is littered with a half doz. projects of different interests that are incomplete.
Thanks for the input. Bernie

 

[BrownBear]

I'd buy the cheapest and best condition you can get right now so you can get to shooting. Keep on saving for the custom or semi, and maybe when you get close to enough funds you can sell this one to help the buy. But if it's a choice between shooting now, or waiting months till you get more money, then waiting more months for the new gun to arrive, that's not even a choice in my book. You could be waiting over a year to do things "right," or you could be shooting and having fun right now. No brainer for me, cuzz I'd rather shoot than wait..... especially a year or more!!!!!

 

[410-er]

I have a 36 Seneca.Took a while to work up a load.Likes maxi balls or .360 RB's.Shot it so much the hammer chipped.Sent it to TC and got a new one free.

 

[MSW]

absent the T/C, i agree with Swampy. i got all brave a while ago and did my first 'scrath build' (i.e. not a precarved stock) around a Long Hammock .36 barrel. Came out with the stock that fit me with just the right amount of cast off and in an exotic wood (American Lacewood) and people go "wazzat?" when i go to the range (which i admit isn't often enough).

bottom line: cost more, took longer, and i got exactly what i wanted. you should too: guns are no place to compromise unless you have absolutely no other choice.

Just one guy's opinion...

 

[hanshi]

If you don't like to gamble I'd wait & get a custom from one of the builders mentioned. Used ones are out there, as well. If you check around a bit you can find them and they would represent a step up in quality. My own .36 Southern is from TVM. It's flint but otherwise everything applies. If you have one built, the wait is shorter these days due to the economy. A built rifle is not that much more in cost.

 

[misher]

I have a .45 Seneca,not really sure why but I like it. Anyone know when they stopped making them?

 

[Rat Trapper]

I have a 36 cal seneca and really like it. Great shooter. I traded my 45 cal seneca barrel and a little cash to make the trade. Sure am glad I did it.

 

[Walks Alone]

I have a .45 Seneca,not really sure why but I like it. Anyone know when they stopped making them?

1986

 

[Russ T Frizzen]

I have a .45 Seneca,not really sure why but I like it. Anyone know when they stopped making them?

You probably like it because it's a sweet little rifle and one of the nicest that T/C ever made. :thumbsup:

 

[texcl]

Buy a TVM mountain rifle, it doesn't cost much more and you can have them build it to your specs. I built a .36 lr and love it.

 

[Bernie Schneider]

I now have my .36. I acquired a 1" Gm barrel from another forum member on the classifieds.
I came with breech plug and tenion.
I put on the rib and pipes, borrowed some sights from another barrel and fitted it to a TC stock.
Made my own ramrod from ramin.
I took it to the range this am, wunderbar!
Unfortunately I broke the rod on the 3rd shot, but I have it close to where it needs to be at 25 yrds.

 

[paulvallandigham]

You should know better than try to use Ramin as ramrod material! :grin: Use good hickory, with grain that does not run out. You can buy the wood from several suppliers, including October Country, Track, and Dixie. If you live close enough to one of the major suppliers, or can hold off until a big match or rendezvous comes closer to you, you can inspect the wood rods personally, and buy a couple , with the extras sold to friends who get to see how nice your .36 shoots that they want one for themselves! :hmm: :v :thumbsup: