Muzzleloaders now

[Flintlock]

What the heck happened to the world of muzzleloading, Imust have fallen asleep for a few years. My son-in-law decided after shooting a couple of mine and my daughters that he really wants a rev war era flintlock of his own. I told my daughter that she might have gained a husband but lost a rifle and she relied over her dead body. Anyway prices are through the roof, even the replicas comming from oversea's, looking for a decent smoothbore on a tight budget is like winning the lotto. Rondy's are far and few between up here as are add's for flinters. Oh well I guess half the fun is in the hunting, I told him to start saving.

 

[SgtErv]

I hear you. I got very lucky on my semi-custom. In my search for one, a builder told me that there are some who charge exorbitantly because they can; not because of a superior product or craftsmanship, but because they are just trying to get more for it. I appreciated his honesty. (Can't remember who it was)

I've gotten into re-enacting and have found the same. Someone posted a woven tump line for $250 in a trading post site...a tump line...I mean...No one is forcing anyone to buy anything that's so overpriced, but it's the principle.

I am all for paying well for handcrafted items. I even seek them out in order to support cottage industryon principle. However, some items (or vendors I should say) are rather ridiculous.

Luckily there are a great many who ask fair, reasonable prices.

 

[Cruzatte]

I hear what you guys are saying. It has been almost 20 years since I built my Caywood fusil. And I would like to build yet another fusil. The prices have nearly doubled in that amount of time. :metoo:

 

[coloradoclyde]

I can remember when Croquet was popular......but I can't remember when the last time I saw someone play it was.. :hmm:

 

[coloradoclyde]

Rondy's are far and few between up here

I also remember when 12 guys camped on the back 40 = a Rendezvous.......Doesn't seem to be the case anymore..... :shake:

 

[tenngun]

Even high priced they are about what they cost in the old days. In 1830 most people earned less twenty to thirty dollars a month, a Hawken cost $25.00. $2500-3000 will get you one of the best on the market today. A little less then an avarage months wage. $1500 for a trade gun, not much changed from today.

 

[Onojutta]

Tell him to build his own. The price of a custom longrifle is partly what inspired me to build my first. But on the other hand, even the price of a basic kit runs about the price of a really nice modern rifle. This definitely is not a cheap hobby. On the bright side, once you get a gun, it doesn't cost a whole lot to shoot it.

 

[Critter Getter]

It's not just muzzleloaders that have gone up. About every type of gun on the market has doubled or tripled in the past 20 years. Greg

 

[Cruzatte]

Tell him to build his own. The price of a custom longrifle is partly what inspired me to build my first. But on the other hand, even the price of a basic kit runs about the price of a really nice modern rifle. This definitely is not a cheap hobby. On the bright side, once you get a gun, it doesn't cost a whole lot to shoot it.

Well said. :thumbsup:

 

[Flintlock]

WE were looking at the posibility of a TVM poor boy fowler, did many web searches but can't find a picture anywhere. We thought about trying one of the Indian made smoothbores but have heard good as well as bad, better off building one or just going to more Rondy's. If I remember right, the National or High Plains will be up here in Bemidji Mn. next year, we should be able to find something if he can wait that long.

 

[FrontierMuzzleloading]

If you think muzzle loaders are expensive, go buy a new truck and you won't be complaining about the cost of a muzzy :haha:

 

[don hepler]

I was at an auction on Sat. and two, really nice cap lock custom rifles, sold between $300. and $400. each. Not bad for nice custom builds with Douglas barrels. Bores were in excellent to unfired condition.

Thinking back I wish I had bid on them and converted it or both, to flint.

I bought a custom 36 cap lock, for under $300. a few months back and after refinishing and reshaping, the rifle turned out to be a nice looking rifle. It also had a Douglas barrel in near new condition.

You have to be diligent and patient, watch pawn shops, shops that don't sell BP regularly, and auction ads. These are the type of places, where I see the bargains.

If a gun has good wood, a clean barrel, and solid working lock, and you have the ability to refinish it, there is where the bargain will be.

 

[azmntman]

still looking

Only time I seen a "decent" deal in a pawn shop was a .58 mnt rifle. I came back the next day with a jag to check for barrel bulge and twas GONE asking $275.00 and was in good shape. May start looking at auctions. Saw a brass framed pietta .36 revolver in only fair condition at a garage sale a few years ago and the guy was asking $275.00. I told him Cabelas had em for under $200 new, he said was original (though stamped Pietta) :rotf: Somebody probably bought it too!

 

[Kansas Jake]

In the last year I picked up an Ardesa marked 50 cal. "hawker" style at a pawn shop for $50 cash out the door. It needed a wedge pin and was missing the lock screws. I made a wedge from steel and a couple of screws from the hardware store took care of the lock screws. They were the screws that hold the lock plate to the stock. I had to grind off the hex head and file a screw slot to make them look correct. I was too cheap to buy expensive stuff for a cheap rifle, but i does shoot decently.

More recently I picked up a TC Hawken in 50 cal. at a pawn shop for $100 cash. It was in nice shape and well done for a kit gun. I bought it to use with a 36" drop in 50 cal. barrel that I had previously purchased. That barrel is unmarked, but may be a green mountain. It has nice deep groves and a slow twist.

 

[excess650]

Have you checked the price of parts lately? A Chambers flint lock is $175

Maybe THE bargain these days is an Italian made Lyman Great Plains Rifle.

 

[Black Hand]

Have you checked the price of parts lately? A Chambers flint lock is $175

And worth EVERY cent....

 

[Vaino]

Complain, complain. If one thinks it's too expensive, don't buy it. Everything is more expensive and we're told that inflation is non-existent. So....they're wrong, but that doesn't help at all, does it?

Just sold a build for 5 grand and had 4 guys wanting to buy it. Honored the first offer and disappointed the other 3...so there is money out there. All depends, I guess.......Fred

 

[Mickc01]

Ditto to both Black Hand and Fred.

Though I sympathize to some of the views expressed, I am a firm believer that you get what you pay for and there is a HUGE amount of work and craft that goes into making even a semi-custom ml'er. As far as something not being worth what's being asked, well that's the buyer's responsibility to decide. Some might call it free enterprise. Just my humble opinion.

Also, there are bargains out there if you are patient and watch the boards that specialize in ML's. Just be ready to jump on it....Mick

 

[nhmoose]

What the heck happened to the world of muzzleloading,

The big manufactures went to the new big buck maker in lines that they shilled to shoot like a modern gun,flat shooting and power easy to load with sabots and pellets.

They also shilled these were the same as traditional ML so the newbie buyers they wanted could also use the special ML seasons.

Even the archery guys have this problem with compounds and crossbows.

SO to rehash MONEY and greed. Note they are not in the business of real ML anymore.

Thankfully there are very talented makes left but the cost has gone up to be traditional.

I believe at the is time in New England ML season should cease as it is and be limited to flintlock smoothbore only. That will never happen as the F&G depts. LOVE the revenue from all the ML license sales.

Sorry Rant is over.

 

[Old Timer 48]

Nice rant. I agree with you 100%. Only thing I would ask for is side-lock only & no scopes.