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Best Value for the $

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avery

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Hi all:
Just started looking around at Muzzle Loaders and see prices all over the place.
Are any brands a better value than others?
Also this would be just used for fun target shooting with friends.
What type of rifle should I be looking at?
I'm not too sure of the differences in the styles.
A used rifle is also an option.
Thanks in advance.
 
If you're only interested is in target shooting or plinking, a .45 may be the best compromise. If you anticipate possibly hunting, it would also work for anything up through deer. You can vary the powder charge to get better accuracy for small game like rabbit or squirrel as well. Although a smaller caliber like a .36 would be more in keeping for small game, the .36 and .40 are more effected by wind that a .45...that is just one possibility for you to consider.

As for the gun itself, a lot depends on your build and likes as far as style is concerned. You might check into the "classified" section on the Forum Index page to see what's available here. Other muzzleloading sites have similar, there are the gun auction sites to check and there's also a maker's list in our "Links" section so you see the different styles of guns available for sale or to be built. Just getting into the sport, I'd recommend you concentrate more right now on deciding exactly the type of style of rifle you want or will best suit your purposes and shooting needs. My only caution would be not to buy the cheapest rifle you can find, sadly some are cheap for a reason. On the other hand, sometimes you just find a good gun at a really low price. Some of the others probably have their own choices for you to consider, I basically wanted you to look around and see what's out there before hurrying to a decision. We're always here for questions or act as a sounding board for ideas. Good luck and remember to have fun! :thumbsup:
 
I also think a 45 would be good for plinking but dont overlook a 50 if the price is right just lower your powder charge and it will be fun to shoot.T/C or lyman are usually very dependable.Which ever you choose enjoy and have fun. Good Luck !!!
 
Keep an eye on the classified section.Lots of times T/C's come up for 200 bucks.Start out with what you can afford and trade up later.
Nit Wit
 
What you're asking is pretty vague, so tough to narrow down an answer.

Since you haven't mentioned a price range, I'd say the BEST value for the $, and you are just going to do some casual target shooting, I'd go with a swamped, Colerain barrel and a Chambers lock (if you are looking at a flintlock). Since you posted this under caplocks, there are several different lock companies that make good locks for caplocks. You may find these parts built into a used rifle, or you should order these in a new, plain, built rifle.

If you are looking at a used rifle don't turn away from a .50 or even a .54. However, if you are having a rifle built, then for targets you'd probably like the .45 as there is less adjustment needed from 50 yards to 100 yards when punching paper.

Now if you are looking for a good rifle for less than $500, then perhaps you should consider a used caplock Thompson Center or Lyman in a .50. They are pretty common. The bore is the key. Take a long, hard look at the bore, and be sure it's in good shape. When properly maintained these rifles last many decades and shoot very well. The Thompson Center or Lyman locks on a caplock are super durable, so no worries there. Again the bore is the majority of the concern.

LD
 
Cabela's branded Pedersolis. So far. They're definitely priced right.
 
It's hard to beat a Thompson Center Hawken, Renegade, Seneca, Or Cherokee. There are other TC's as well. I have 3 that I bought for $100. or less. When the production was discontinued, they sold for over $700. Two of the ones, that I bought looked to be unfired. They were originally sold with a life time warranty, to the original owner. It's a good way to get, into the sport, and later you can find, a custom or whatever you like. I have several TC's as well as custom built rifles. I use the TC's the most.
 
Are Thompsons set up to mainly shoot conicalMini type bullets?
I would like to shoot round balls and some conicals. I am looking at a T/C Renegade via email at the moment.
Also can you shoot FFFg in a long gun or does it have to be FFg only? I have 2lbs of FFF on hand.
Thanks to all who have replied so far.
 
I have TC Hawkens with a 50 caliber renegade barrel on it. I use 60 grains of 3f, .015 patch and a .491 round ball and it drives tacks. Common rule 50 cal or less 3f, 54 on up 2f.
 
I've owned three Lyman Trade rifles and always thought they were they best bang for your buck deals out there. They lend themselves well to reshaping the stock as they are a bit chunky if you have some woodworking skills, but they are built like tanks, solid and reliable. I suggest the .54 over the .50 as it's a little lighter and less nose heavy, but being that it has a shorter barrel it may not matter to you. I used to be able to find them new priced right about $350 but a good used one is quite a bit cheaper. The Cabelas Hawken is very similar is looks and price and is made by Investarms, also a good deal if you can find one used with a good bore. I've also had very good Lyman GPR's although the last one I bought new was some 5 years ago. They can be very good deals too and be excellent shooters.
 
Another vote for a used TC as an ideal entry level gun. My boys and I started with TC New Englander .54 rifles because a local shop had a bunch in kit form at a very good price, and we bought three, one for each of us. We got 54's because that is what they had, I'm sure .50's would be just as good. They have the 1-48 twist and shoot both the maxi-balls and PRB quite well. In fact, the same sight setting that puts the maxi-balls over 100gr pyrodex RS into a 3 inch group 4 inches high at 100 yards, puts a PRB over 45gr of pyrodex dead center at 50 yards.
 
Jeepman said:
Are Thompsons set up to mainly shoot conicalMini type bullets?
I would like to shoot round balls and some conicals. I am looking at a T/C Renegade via email at the moment.
Also can you shoot FFFg in a long gun or does it have to be FFg only? I have 2lbs of FFF on hand.
Thanks to all who have replied so far.

Jeepman,
I've bought good TC's on the interseine and I've got skinned too. It's sad but true that not all people can resist lying for money. But then, some just make bad calls on what you're asking them.
You pretty much pays your money and takes your chances.
For FFg versus FFFg: Always stay within the manufacture loading data. They might know stuff they aint telling!
 
I have a couple of TC rifles, and they shoot round ball fine. They will also shoot some conicals well too, IF you think you need the added mass in the bullet, but for whitetails a 225 grain .530 round ball launched with 70 grains of 3Fg always does the trick for me out to 100 yards.

LD
 
Make sure to inspect anything you're thinking of buying thoroughly, regardless of brand. You never gave us a price range, but many of us started off with CVAs, Traditions, TCs, etc. My first was a CVA that I still have that originally cost me about $150. I have several Lyman GPRs that cost more, and my most expensive is a semi-custom that ended up costing me a bit over $1k. They all shoot the same size groups, but there is a huge difference as to where and when they would have been correct, or at least close to it. I'm not saying to go cheap, but rather to make sure you check out anything you want to buy, and decide what it is you want before spending your money. There is the looks of it, the way it fits you, the weight, the recoil, etc. Do some research, ask more questions, and narrow things down. The more specific your questions get, the more helpful we can all be and the more likely you are to get something you will be happy with, so try to resist the urge to buy the first thing you find. On second thought, go ahead, it won't be your last anyway. But for what it's worth, you're much better off getting something you'll be happy with the first time than something you cuss at everytime you look at it. Best of luck, and don't get in too much of a hurry. Shoulder as many as you cam, and if possible, shoot them too, and you will figure out what feels good. I like Lyman, but my CVAs shoot just as well. I have had TCs, but they didn't fit me as well as the Lyman GPRs so went down the road, even though they shot great.
 
Have to agree with a .45. They are sweet and accurate ro shoot. My wife bought me a .45 Pedersoli Blue Ridge flinter when I was shooting competition. Won a lot of matches with it. If you want to shoot both round ball and Maxis, check out the Lyman Trade Rifle.
 
My two cents - don't buy anything until you can physically handle some examples. For different reasons the ergonomics (sp?) of a CVA Mountain Rifle don't work for me, but the T-C Hawken stock works fine, the Lyman GPR is even better. Go see what fits you before buying anything, ideally find a club or event where you can shoot a rifle or two also. If you are in SW Ohio PT me and I'll meet you at my range and we will shoot some, well, when the weather breaks.
 
There are some Thompson Center and Pedersoli rifles for sale on this forum. Both are good brands and a few have some pretty tempting prices. Talk to the sellers and get all of the full info. before buying. I've never run into a problem in dealing with the folks who list guns fro sale on this forum.
 
My vote is for a TC also. Second would be a CVA.

I have a few T/C rifles I got for $300.00-150.00 apiece in trades.
The CVA Mountain Stalker I got for about $100.00 in a large trade.

The CVA when loaded right is just as good of a shooter as the TC rifles, but it is finicky. I have to take extra care to load it just so, or it might have a FTF or HF.

The TC rifles I have seem to be the most forgiving BP guns I have ever shot. Rarely do I get any issues with them. They shoot straighter than I can.

Now let me throw in that you shouldn't limit yourself to any one maker for a bargain price. Many of the members here have found good guns for under the guns value by looking around.

As this is your first foray into BP you need to find a mentor who can show you the ins and outs. If you can't find a mentor, then do allot of research before you shoot. I do not suggest an expensive new gun. The offerings are rather limited for production guns at this time and independent builders are not cheep at all. No sense spending a pile of money on a hobby you don't know that you will enjoy in the long run.

Now my bet is that if you find a mentor, and get a serviceable used firearm you will have fun. The sport lets you slow down and take time. None of the hurry and shoot of modern weapons. When it does turn out that it is an enjoyable past time for you then you will start saving your pennies for more guns. :haha:
 
I have a mnt stalker too, was about 100.00? new from Bass pro or Cabelas in mid to late 80's. Also got a fox river fifty, it was from the other store (one sold fox river, one sold mnt stalker). One of em I clearly recall was only $69.00!
 
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