hunter_la5
32 Cal.
- Joined
- Jun 19, 2008
- Messages
- 11
- Reaction score
- 0
So I recently purchased a used Traditions .54 cal percussion cap Hawken style rifle from a gun shop for $75 on a whim. It appeared to be in pretty good condition, most of the finish was intact and there was only a slight patch of rust near the muzzle. all in all I thought I had a pretty good deal.
when I got home and cleaned it up, however, the nipple FELL OUT. when I tried to screw it back in, it fell out again. the threads would not catch at all. I assumed the nipple was bad, and ordered another one from Traditions. it too wouldn't stay in, and would slide straight in and out of the Bolster without having to twist it at all. Furthermore, the bolster clean-out screw will not come out. I'm suspecting that it isn't even the original one, because it's colored completely differently than the rest of the metal and is made of much softer metal and doesn't look like ones I've seen on other Traditions Hawken percussion rifles. I wonder if even the whole bolster is aftermarket.
either way it needs to be replaced by someone more competent than I as it won't hold any nipples. on the other hand, this is a $75 used rifle.
so here's my question, is it worth it to take the rifle to a gunsmith to get the bolster replaced? is this a big undertaking? would it cost much? I am new to muzzleloaders so I would have no idea how to repair this thing myself.
any advice would be appreciated. thanks guys.
when I got home and cleaned it up, however, the nipple FELL OUT. when I tried to screw it back in, it fell out again. the threads would not catch at all. I assumed the nipple was bad, and ordered another one from Traditions. it too wouldn't stay in, and would slide straight in and out of the Bolster without having to twist it at all. Furthermore, the bolster clean-out screw will not come out. I'm suspecting that it isn't even the original one, because it's colored completely differently than the rest of the metal and is made of much softer metal and doesn't look like ones I've seen on other Traditions Hawken percussion rifles. I wonder if even the whole bolster is aftermarket.
either way it needs to be replaced by someone more competent than I as it won't hold any nipples. on the other hand, this is a $75 used rifle.
so here's my question, is it worth it to take the rifle to a gunsmith to get the bolster replaced? is this a big undertaking? would it cost much? I am new to muzzleloaders so I would have no idea how to repair this thing myself.
any advice would be appreciated. thanks guys.