Brand new to BP with a couple questions.

[Eric-wa]

If this forum is like any other gun forum on the web you probably get this question twice a week, but I quick searched and didn't get any hits, so here goes.

I'm looking to purchase my first BP rifle and was hoping for a little advice as I don't have any friends into this whom I can ask. I'm leaning towards a percussion rifle to get started, just because I'm a little intimidated by flintlock.

I'm looking for an entry level rifle in the $250-$350 price range. I'm not expecting to get a gem for that price but any recommendations for a good reliable rifle to keep my eyes open for would be much appreciated.

Also input on caliber would be appreciated, 98% of my shooting will be for fun, but I'll probably take the rifle out to hunt for black tail, or mule deer this fall. does .45, .50 , or .54 really matter when taking medium sized game? I'm hoping to shoot patch and ball exclusively.

I know there's a lot to digest here, but thanks for the welcome and your time.

-Eric

 

[hanshi]

Welcome, Eric. You can check out the classifieds on this forum to start with. I'd think something on the order of the Traditions DeerHunter or similar rifle might be the way to go. As for caliber, .45, .50 and .54 will all take deer quite handily. In fact I've taken more whitetails with the .45 than any of the other calibers. A better choice, however, might be the 50. Supplies are easy to find and the power level is well above the (excellent) .45.

 

[Coot]

I am sure that you will get lots of advice & suggestions. A caplock (& I am a flint shooter) is a good place to start & has a little shallower learning curve. You can always go to flint later if you want a bit more challenge or to step back further in time. As for caliber, you might want to check local/state requirements for a deer rifle - but even if a .45 is allowed, a .50 or .54 will have more "authority" & can be loaded down (a plus for muzzleloaders) for plinking. For $250 -$350, I would look for a used rifle where you will get more gun for the buck. For me, it would be hard to go wrong with a Thompson Center Hawken in .50 or .54 (American made with high marks for reliability & value & not a hard resell if you want something else in the future). Even if you someday wind up with a custom gun for reenactments, chunk matches or whatever, you may still want to reach for the TC Hawken for a day hunting or to introduce a friend to "the dark side". There are several nice looking ones listed now on Gunbroker in your price range.

 

[Zonie]

Welcome to the forum.

I think your decision to start with a percussion (cap lock) is a wise one.
This is especially true if you live in an area where real black powder is not available because the cap locks will shoot any of the loose (non pellet) synthetic powders.

Any of the calibers you've mentioned will work nicely for deer although I recommend limiting the .45 caliber to 80 yard shots.

Because so many of the "LIKE NEW" and "NEVER SHOT" guns sold on the big web sites have often turned out to have rust damaged bores I personally avoid them.

The guns offered by our members on the other hand usually turn out to fit the descriptions given in our classified section quite well and I recommend that you check out the offerings.
These change quite often so it is a good idea to check out the ads for a couple of weeks (unless you see one right off the bat that looks good to you.)

 

[Eric-wa]

@zonie, specifically because of the reasons you suggest I've been hesitant to go through gunbroker and like sites. Being in washington, I've been looking at gunworks in springfield, oregon as well as the classifieds on this site . I appreciate the input thus far. I have a feeling the deeper I get into this new hobbie the more it's going to snare me. Any Sharpe fans here? i.e. bernard cornwell.

Looking at Gunworks they've quite a few rifles which are kit guns which were assembled by previous owners. They're listed in good condition, but I'm a pessimist and wondering if these rifles can be as good as a factory rifle or if it's an absolute manure shoot. What do you think?

 

[joe4702]

You can get a Lyman Trade rifle from Midsouth Shooters Supply for around $350 plus shipping.

Or here for $307.95 shipped: http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/browse.cfm/2,4704.html

I got a .54 from Midsouth (didn't know about 3rd Gen Shooting Supply when I ordered). Would probably get a .50 if I did it again. Slightly cheaper to feed and the paper and cans wouldn't know the difference (I don't hunt).

 

[garandman]

I'm a BP newb, and really like my percussion sidelock Traditions Deerhunter in .50

Really simple way to get started in BP.

 

[ebiggs1]

WELCOME TO THE FORUM!
I know a new Lyman GPR is a little more than you mentioned but I am still going to recommend it
I also would forget the idea of a 45 cal. Especially if you do want to go deer hunting (mule deer?, yes 50 cal would be way, way much more better).
If you do decide on a GPR in 50cal most of the sporting stores will carry, on the shelf, stuff to use it. Even powder (Pyrodex RS).
As soon as you get it replace the nipple with any after market one and throw away the Lyman one as far as you can.
Second choice is a used Thompson Center Hawken in 50 cal, same story but the nipple will be fine that comes with it.

 

[DUSTY 14]

google wsma it is the washington state muzzle loaders web site. go to one of the rondys listed and look for Boyd,Coffeepot,Or Randy, they all have used guns of all sorts and price ranges. good folks that will have answers to many ? you have. Coffeepot may have some real BP and Boyd has cheap ball most of the time. fun people all about and you can learn more in one afternoon than in a year on your own. tin tepees has room for any tent if you want to camp

 

[necchi]

Go for the 54! :wink:
Keep an eye on the Classifieds here,,

 

[FRJ]

I can strongly recommend the GPR and the 54cal. What I can not recommend is the use of any substitute for B/P. I just replaced the barrel on my GPR because of the massive corrosion that the Pyro caused. Real B/P is not hard to come by and it is no problem to clean up as long as you have cold water. Nothing more is needed. FRJ

 

[Lonegun1894]

I will put in another vote for the GPR. Mine are flinters in .50 and .54, and both shoot great. I know this is either at the top end of your budget (if used) or slightly above it (if new), but learned a while back that it is better to pay once and cry once than pay several times and pay much more but spread out over time because you settled for something that will be ok for now. I had to learn that the hard way. I have been slowly selling off the now unused guns as I have been aquiring the ones I should have paid a bit more for back when they were cheaper than they are now. Took many years and a lot more dollars than years to learn that lesson.

 

[William O.]

You can get a Lyman Trade rifle from Midsouth Shooters Supply for around $350 plus shipping. Or here for $307.95 shipped: http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/browse.cfm/2,4704.html I got a .54 from Midsouth (didn't know about 3rd Gen Shooting Supply when I ordered). Would probably get a .50 if I did it again. Slightly cheaper to feed and the paper and cans wouldn't know the difference (I don't hunt).

I second that, the Trade Rifle is a great bang for your buck and is sturdy, reliable and accurate. I recommend getting a .54 just because the barrel is going to be a little lighter and will balance things better, but the .50 is easier to find supplies for when buying off the shelf. I've had two Trade Rifles and both were excellent shooter. In fact, I repurposed the barrel and some of the hardware on one of them into a semi-custom left hand plains rifle that wins shooting matches. Here's were you can get them for $300 plus $7.95 shipping; http://store.thirdgenerationshootingsupply.com/browse.cfm/4,11452.html

 

[mooman76]

You could get a good used one for about $150 or less and that will give you a good idea what you are wanting or if you like it or not. If you are like most and like it, you will probably end up with several. A 45 will get the job done but the 50 is most common. Like others said, check your state gun regs for BP.

 

[roger fisher]

Hey welcome aboard ! Youve found yopurself a great new hobby ! Well, I got my first Muzzleloader from Gun Broker .com . i was very pleased with it. I think i spent about $225.00 . 45 50 or 54 are all adequate for medium sized game, what you have to be careful of is rate of twist ! 1 in 48 or slower for round ball. 1 in 48 or faster for conical ! Good Luck!!!!!

 

[Rat Trapper]

If you take the time to look around you should be able to find a used TC Hawken for a fair price. I have a number of them and don't think I spent over $350 for any of them and $250 or less for several. All are very good shooters.

 

[rafterob]

I may be run out of town on a rail for this advice but...I started out with The Traditions Hawken Woodsman. It is available only in .50 caliber, which is a good all purpose caliber. It is really a good quality rifle, fine machining and durable, shoots well too. I have shot mine for over 7 years now with absolutely no problems.

 

[54mountain]

I just bought alightly used Lymon trade rifle in .54 for my son and it is a very well made gun. I gave $225 for it and put the first three shots at straight down 6:00 holes touching, about 3"low ta 25yards. I was very impressed!

I started many years ago with a Traditions Woodsman that I only gave $200 for It was a really good shooter but I just couldn't handle the plastic front sight so I later traded up to a T.C. Hawken. Traded that for a flinter several years ago and never looked back. :haha:
Now I'm shootin' a semi coustom 42".50 cal flint Tennesee mountain rifle worth about $800.
Oh! has anybody mentioned that this sport is addictive.

 

[Eric-wa]

Thanks for the great welcome and all of the advice guys I ended up ordering the Lyman trade rifle that joe4702 and bull3540 linked me to. I ended up going with the .54 just on impulse and I can't wait until it arrives friday :grin: .

I'll spend some time this weekend at a sporting goods store getting the basics I need to send a couple of shots downrange next week.

-Eric

 

[necchi]

I ended up going with the .54 just on impulse and I can't wait until it arrives friday :grin: .
-Eric

Atta Boy! :wink:

Just be sure to spend some time cleaning the bore till a white patch comes out white.
And pull the lock, clean it well and re-oil.
(brake cleaner helps alot, but keep it off the wood)
They send them out of the factory with some pretty heavy packing grease and ya want all that stuff cleaned up.
While the locks out, clean up any wood burrs or chips that are usually left from milling,,