First traditional rifle..

[cuban8mia]

Well I finally received my first traditional muzzleloader yesterday. Its a Cabelas pedersoli hawken 54 cal. It seems to be well put together as far as fit and finish and I specially like the fact that pedersoli chose to put very few lettering on the barrel, unlike I've seen on other Hawkens. The barrel is a flat blue but since I hope to brown it soon that's no big deal. One thing I didn't like is that it does not have a hooked barrel, but again, not a big deal. Since all my previous muzzleloaders have been 50 cal, I guess I have a lot of shopping to do before I take it to the range. If it shoots as nicely as it handles it should make a mighty fine game getter next fall...

 

[rafterob]

You have a nicely new blued barrel. I suggest changing your mind about browning it. Blue barrels were very common on the plains style rifles.

 

[ord sgt]

Just take it out in the rain and never oil the outside of the barrel. Natural rust that way.
I have browned my barrels but they came in the white. They needed some color.

 

[Trot]

Are you sure about not having a hooked breech? I am sure it is supposed to.

 

[Alden]

Congrats, good luck, enjoy, be safe!

Yeah, hold off a season or two or three on browning. You can always refinish it...

 

[Zonie]

The Pedersoli site shows both the Hawken and the Missouri models with hooked breeches.

Follow this link and click on the "download exploded view".
http://www.davide-pedersoli.com/sc...fles-hawken-rocky-mountain-hawken-walnut.html

If the barrel wedges were removed without loosening the lock screw the tightened screws will often cause the lock to pinch the barrel making it appear to still be held in place by the tang.

According to the download, if the lock screws are loosened and the wedges and ramrod removed, the muzzle of the barrel should lift up out of the wood. This in turn will release the hooked breech.

 

[lethemgo]

Plus since its your first....I know cause I did it at first....you have to cocked it also to remove the barrel. Guess I didn't think about what you said about having had another 50cal. Oh well...maybe it helped.

 

[cuban8mia]

Thanks for the advise/info guys but in fact I was just as surprised as you that there is no hooked breach. As per included takedown instructions, one has to remove a tang screw and then push out the wedge pin, which I already did once. The Cabelas website does say it has a hooked breach though. In any case I'm very happy with the workmanship overall. As for browning the barrel perhaps I will think about it further since although the barrel is not polished blue but a matte blue, it is very well applied....