hi all-
i've done my share of modern rifle hunting, alaska, vermont and washington, and i've found that well... it lacks a certain something. sure, a modern rifle can be a devastating, reliable thing... but it's just not the same. there's not as much challenge in taking the shot from 200+ yards. i bowhunt, and it's more satisfying.
so i've made the choice to switch to blackpowder hunting. having shot both flintlocks and percussion(and owning a .36 cal navy cap and ball that's a fun time to shoot), i'm sold on going totally whole hog, and going with a flintlock.
right now, it looks like cabela's hawken kit in .50 cal is a great choice. not only is it fully legal here in washington for all game, but the price is right, and i'll be able to finish it to a level above what cabela's does with the standard rifle.
anything i should watch out for, with this particular rifle? the customer ratings are extremely favorable, so i'm feeling good so far.
as a note: i chose the hawken over the pennsylvania/kentucky pattern mostly because the cover in the san juan islands where i'm preferring to hunt is fairly thick, and the slightly shorter hawken will get through the bush better, and it'll be overall less cumbersome(and hawken pattern rifles have that whole 'heavier load' bit going for them.) and easier to use.
i've done my share of modern rifle hunting, alaska, vermont and washington, and i've found that well... it lacks a certain something. sure, a modern rifle can be a devastating, reliable thing... but it's just not the same. there's not as much challenge in taking the shot from 200+ yards. i bowhunt, and it's more satisfying.
so i've made the choice to switch to blackpowder hunting. having shot both flintlocks and percussion(and owning a .36 cal navy cap and ball that's a fun time to shoot), i'm sold on going totally whole hog, and going with a flintlock.
right now, it looks like cabela's hawken kit in .50 cal is a great choice. not only is it fully legal here in washington for all game, but the price is right, and i'll be able to finish it to a level above what cabela's does with the standard rifle.
anything i should watch out for, with this particular rifle? the customer ratings are extremely favorable, so i'm feeling good so far.
as a note: i chose the hawken over the pennsylvania/kentucky pattern mostly because the cover in the san juan islands where i'm preferring to hunt is fairly thick, and the slightly shorter hawken will get through the bush better, and it'll be overall less cumbersome(and hawken pattern rifles have that whole 'heavier load' bit going for them.) and easier to use.