Anyone hunting with a Musket or similar Civil War rifle?

[mushka]

LawrenceA, what is that little gun in the pictures? That thing is so neat.

 

[LawrenceA]

LawrenceA, what is that little gun in the pictures? That thing is so neat.

1863 Musketoon by Parker hale. Basically an 1853 Enfield in artillery carbine form.
It is light, points well and is designed for 58 minies.
Even got a metal ramrod
Honestly, it is perfect for hunting on foot.

 

[Ricochet]

Years ago I shot a small buck with my Euroarms 2 band musketoon in .58 caliber. It was about a 60 yard shot and the poor thing never knew what hit him. I still have that rifle but haven't shot it in 30 years or so. They will flat get the job done though

 

[morehops52]

I wanted to hunt deer with a Civil War rifle. A friend loaned me his Enfield and it didn't take long to figure out that this size/weight rifle was not for me. After hefting that around my Hawken and Deerstalker are much better for field carry at least for me.

 

[mushka]

If I had a carbine like that I probably wouldn't shoot much of anything else. I love short rifles.

 

[LawrenceA]

I wanted to hunt deer with a Civil War rifle. A friend loaned me his Enfield and it didn't take long to figure out that this size/weight rifle was not for me. After hefting that around my Hawken and Deerstalker are much better for field carry at least for me.

Musketoon has an advertised weight of 6.6 pd
My mountain rifles are around 9.5 pd.

Not sure the weight of a full size Enfield but I think it is about 9.5pd as well

 

[morehops52]

Musketoon has an advertised weight of 6.6 pd
My mountain rifles are around 9.5 pd.

Not sure the weight of a full size Enfield but I think it is about 9.5pd as well

A Musketoon was on my radar but back in the 70's when I was looking to buy my first BP rifle there weren't any locally to try or buy. I ended up with a T/C Hawken (like many of us) for about $175. After carrying that in the field the Enfield felt like a club. Not a hunting rifle at least for me. That Musketoon still is a purty rifle though.

 

[LawrenceA]

A Musketoon was on my radar but back in the 70's when I was looking to buy my first BP rifle there weren't any locally to try or buy. I ended up with a T/C Hawken (like many of us) for about $175. After carrying that in the field the Enfield felt like a club. Not a hunting rifle at least for me. That Musketoon still is a purty rifle though.

I dont think you can compare the musketoon with a full size Enfield, Like comparing a blunderbuss with a goose gun but whatever floats your boat.
I am lucky enough to have a good smattering of firearms and, for me, the musketoon works. Also use the old belgian 14g fowler

 

[TFoley]

1863 Musketoon by Parker hale. Basically an 1853 Enfield in artillery carbine form.
It is light, points well and is designed for 58 minies.
Even got a metal ramrod
Honestly, it is perfect for hunting on foot.

1861.

 

[LawrenceA]

1861.

View attachment 149807

Apologies mate.
You r correct 1861

 

[Smokepole55]

Musketoon works well

View attachment 148460View attachment 148461

I use a .58 Enfield 2 band and will carry it during elk season. The .58 is the best I

 

[TFoley]

1863 Musketoon by Parker hale. Basically an 1853 Enfield in artillery carbine form.
It is light, points well and is designed for 58 minies.
Even got a metal ramrod
Honestly, it is perfect for hunting on foot.

Better pic, maybe? Please ignore the ahem, modified P53 below it -

 

[morehops52]

It's neat to see so many have used military weapons for hunting. I had that idea years ago and after carrying a Zouave in the field for a day I realized that my future in hunting was with a much lighter rifle that would handle better in PA woods. I would have considered a Musketoon but I do like my Hawken and Deerstalkers much better for hunting .That's just me and obviously others like what I don't.

 

[Eterry]

I've hunted a LOT with Musketoons, Zouave's and a Navy Arms Buffalo Hunter (a cut down Zouave).

I've taken several deer with the Minie Ball and 60grs fffg.

In fact, my first 58, the Navy Arms Musketoon, is what prompted me to join this site, and later N-SSA.

It's much harder to get a rifled musket to perform well with minies, but worth the effort I believe.

When I do my part my Navy Arms Musketoon will shoot 1 1/2 -1 3/4" groups at 100 yards.

Here's my Buffalo Hunter, 500 grain minie ball, 60grs fffg, in action.