first black powder gun?

[mattri]

Looking to get into black powder shooting.
I have shot smokeless and airguns for a while, always wanted to try something more traditional just haven't done it yet.

What would be a good way to break in? I've been looking at the local shops and on Cabela's etc.
I would like a rifle that will be reasonably accurate at 100 yards. .44 seems to have a good reputation but .50 is much more plentiful.

I obviously don't want to spend a lot of money out of the gate but don't want to sabotage my first experiences either.

Would a Kodiak or simmilar be worth picking up or do you reccomend something else? A kit? Any and all ideas welcome, Matt.

 

[Mulebrain]

Welcome to the forum!

Lyman Great Plains Rifle in .50 to start! I would recommend percussion igntion as your first! :thumbsup: Depending on your skill set, they offer it in kit form as well!

Here is a review!
http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/reviewpost/showproduct.php/product/6/cat/4

When the Black Powder virus takes hold, you will not shake it!

 

[ohio ramrod]

Check for used Tompson center guns they have a great warrenty and are made USA.The GPR is also a good gun but made in Italy. IMO avoid Spanish made guns.Most cabello's are also made in Italy good quality for the price but I prefer made in USA.

 

[tg]

i would go with Mule Brain the LGP is probably the best production gun out there, well made, accurate shooter, and is very close in design to some of the plains rifles, primitive sights,drop in stock,barrel length to name some of the historicaly correct features, it also comes in kit for for a little less money, some of which would probably have to go towards some stain and finish but does give a person an idea of what goes into building a ML, and gives one an edge if contemplating building a ML in the future.

 

[RJR]

First things first, get a mentor. Someone who can advise you on what to avoid and how to keep you safe. Muzzleloading, as with all shooting sports, have inherent dangers you need to learn before going to the range. Post up where you live, maybe someone lives close by who can advise you along on your journey into the holy black.

Rick

 

[mattri]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Green River WY, sw corner of the state. If anyone knows of anything going on around here please let me know.

 

[Kentuckywindage]

Lyman Great Plains. IMO go with the .54cal

Seeing how you're problem Wyoming, the .54 will be great for everything you got up there.

 

[AeroncaTAL]

I started with the Lyman GPR, percussion in .54 cal. It is an excellent rifle and quite accurate.
Scott

 

[single shot]

For a good first gun used and for short money,id go t/c all the way. I've owned several of them and as a matter of fact i still have one. Quality is good and its made in the U.S.A. that should still stand for something. Check out gunbroker.com and that will give ya a good idea whats the going rate on guns. Dont worry after you buy that first one you'll be like everyone else and will want to oun them all. Good luck and have fun im sure your worth it...

 

[bdhutier]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Green River WY, sw corner of the state. If anyone knows of anything going on around here please let me know.

I have a brother who lives in Green River!! We're hoping to visit next spring, maybe we can hook up & all go shooting!

 

[PreglerD]

Hello from Germany!

I would also recommend a GPR in .50 or .54 percussion. They are well built, good looking, close to originals compared to other prod.guns and good shooters.

Regards

Kirrmeister

 

[bigbore442001]

Here is a thought. Many hunters are going for modern inline muzzleloaders. They are selling their old traditional muzzleloaders and those can be picked up at a relatively low price. I know of a nice TC 50 caliber percussion for $150 that is in good shape at my home town gunshop. I know that it has a Rhynite stock but it could be something to try and then get a wooden stock if you like.

Google Kittery Trading Post and see what they have for used muzzleloaders.

 

[MSW]

you could do a lot worse than a Lyman great plains rifle. I have the Thompson Center, and i wouldn't give it up for any reason.

either will serve you well, with the consensus leaning slightly toward the Lyman. i prefer the T/C for its warranty, but then again, mine has never needed warranty work.

As regards caliber, go with 50 if you can't get .54, but if you can, go with .54. (Bigger, in this case, is better: less drift/windage at ranges, better retention of muzzle velocity, less drop at range, etc.)

if you're daunted by flint, go with percussion. having said that, you should know that you will eventually fall in love with a flinter and once a rock banged you have, forever dominate you destiny it will, mmmmm, yes, said Yoda. nothing wrong with caps, just like flint better.

the mentor idea is a great one, wish i'd had one.

welcome to the ML community. don't hesitate to ask questions, and don't hesitate to make good smoke!

 

[MikeChapin]

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Green River WY, sw corner of the state. If anyone knows of anything going on around here please let me know.

I think there is a club in Evanston. Don't know of any in the Green River - Rock Springs area. There is a club in Saratoga that is putting on a shoot on July 24-26 at Emcampment.

The state newsletter could give you some people close by. It's at Wyoming Muzzleloaders

The GPR .50 or .54 is the rifle I always recommend for a first rifle for all the reasons people have listed above. Though you can hunt big game in Wyoming with a .40, the .54 will do for most everything from Elk on down. The .54 is also lighter than the .50 if that is any consideration.

 

[cowpoke1955]

First off, welcome to the forum :hatsoff: Like others, I'd recommend the Lyman Great Plains Rifle. Being in WY, going with a .54 is a no-brainer. The .54 will have more power down range than a .50. With elk and mule deer in the area, a .54 is the only way to go. My first muzzle loader was a .54 Lyman GPR percussion I bought almost 30 years ago and she still shoots great. I liked it so much my wife bought me a .54 GPR flint kit. Another good little rifle you may consider is the Lyman Trade Rifle in a .54. The Trade Rifle looks amost like a T/C Hawkens, but for about half the price. Besides, a new T/C Hawkens only comes in .50 caliber percussion. They offer no choice. Here are a couple of places to check, but DNR Sports has the best prices right now: http://www.dnrsports.com/ and http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/ . Good luck, but most of all, have fun :thumbsup:

 

[jbtusa]

I would go with the .54 GPR since you may want to go elk or bear hunting. I've owned both T/C and now the Lyman GPR, and to be honest, I am more impressed with the Lyman. They are extremely accurate and don't have that gawdy brass all over them. The Lyman is also more period correct than the T/C. Start with the percussion first.

 

[renovato]

You can't lose with the Lyman GPR or a good solid Thompson. I shoot both and they're accurate, solidly built guns. T/C has a lifetime waranty and the Lyman guns are quite affordable, so either would be a great place to start.

 

[DOUBLEDEUCE 1]

I would go with either the Thompson or Lyman. I have a Thompson .50 Hawken that I have been shooting for years. I wouldn't trade that rifle for anything. My brother shoots a Lyman Great Plains. I think he may be on his second or third barrel for that rifle. He ended up with a Green Mountain barrel. I know he wasn't happy with the stock Lyman barrel.
I would go to a sporting goods store and handle both rifles before deciding which one to buy, or go to the range and look at what others are shooting. :hmm:

 

[Robert Egler]

Welcome! Love Wyoming, but haven't been there for a while.

My only comment is that flintlocks aren't so difficult that you need to start with a percussion. If you prefer percussion, nothing wrong with that though. I've had both, but personally prefer flintlocks.

My very first gun ever was a flintlock, so I learned to shoot with one with no experience and very little help. (No internet or home computers back then, heck, not even any calculators! Learned on a slide rule, but that's a different story.)

With all the people on this forum to ask for advice you should have no problems. There are people here who are so knowledgeable and so willing to share that knowledge that it is just amazing.

Good luck! :hatsoff:

 

[Lostrifle]

A thought that no one else seems to have mentioned; if/when you go to a range where bp guns are being fired, see if you can get someone to let you shoot their gun. Some people would be happy to let a newbie get a shot or two in(properly supervised, of course!). This way, you could get the feel of the gun you're interested in, see if it likes you as much as you like it.