New gun

[BcHouston]

Hello all. Well I haven't fired a muzzle loader since I was 14 and am now 27. I am looking to get a rifle. mainly for use at a range, not really planning to hunt with it. Any way I was really liking the idea of making my own from the kit Cabela's has.I have a good gunsmith friend who can help if needed. I was wondering if it is worth getting the kit or just sticking to a premade used gun? Any thoughts or advice would be great!!!

Here is link: http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cab...en-Unfinished-Percussion-Rifle-Kit/727318.uts

 

[tiger955]

I don't know what kind of quality the Cabela's rifle kit is, some others may be able to chime in on that, but from what I've heard from many who have done the Lyman Great Plains Rifle kit, it is good quality, and a fine shooting rifle when done. It will cost ya about $100 more though.
My experience with TC rifles, a 1-48 twist like the Cabela's rifle has can be kind of finicky with loads and patches when shooting round balls. A 1-66 twist is better for round balls in my opinion, you can shoot light loads (save powder), or pump it up for longer range work and not lose accuracy.
If you are thinking of shooting conicals, the 1-48 works well, but they tend to be heavier bullets, with heavier powder charges and the recoil can get tiresome at the range.
A better deal might be a used rifle in good condition, you should be able to find a decent quality gun for that price. A cheap gun that doesn't work properly to start with can turn you off from the sport pretty quick.
Ok, I'm done now, hang around a while and browse the forums here, lots of good info to get you started

 

[rawhide]

a friend of mine has one and it shoots good. it was fussy till the barrel was broke in. now he gets touching groups at 25 yards. his was a premade gun. I know the lyman guns are good kits. my work sells them for 379.99 and I built 1 a long time ago. they came with exelnt instructions.

 

[bwhoffman]

If it were me, I would by a ready made,shoot a bunch, set the hook, get the disease and then either have a custom made, or do one myself.

I am rather surprised many have not chimed in to soap box whatever they shoot!

I have an investarms .58, same as the cabelas gun. its ok, would like to see a better lock on it though.

I currently do most of my target work with a TC hawken sporting a GM .40 barrel that is flat out a tack driver.

I have shot, but not yet owned, a Lyman GPR. These are good shooters in their own right!

I guess my point would be, try before you buy.
Hook up with a BP group and try these afore mentioned guns to see what fits you best as they all have different stock fit!

If I were to buy a kit gun today, it would be the GPR.
I feel theTC wood needs a little more drop!

 

[Dave Rosenthal]

Welcome to the Forum!

May I hereby recommend a Lyman Trade rifle in 50 cal. percussion. It has a "48" twist, so it's good with 370 grain T/C Maxi-Balls, and also very good with .490 PRB with .018 pillow-ticking patches. My son and I each have one, and we LOVE them! Easy to hold-up for longer periods of time (28" tube), easy to clean, and very accurate! If you do your part, these rifles will cut playing cards in half at 20 yards no problem .

Not a lot of used ones on the market, cause the rifles are so darn good, everybody KEEPS theirs and buys another rifle for the collection, instead of trading-in these tack-drivers!

Either way, good luck with your search!

Dave

 

[Jayhem]

I have that very kit. I built it in 1997! back then the kit cost only $129.99!

Cabelas Hawkens are made by Investarms in Italy. They are accurate and quality is on par with Thompson Center Hawken as far as I'm concerned. The stock is heavier than the Thompson Center. I had the barrel blued by a gunsmith, didn't want to mess with cold blueing.

Mine is accurate. Shoots 4" groups at 75 yards with the factory sights and Maxi-hunters.

 

[necchi]

I was wondering if it is worth getting the kit or just sticking to a premade used gun?

It's a good gun and the kit's not too hard, but as others have said, for the money I'd shop for a used gun.
Watch the classifieds here and other gun selling auction sites.
It's kinda scary buying used sight un-seen, but alot of really good guns have been bought and sold here in the 150-200 range.
Do a little more research before making the jump.

 

[BcHouston]

Thanks for all the great input! I guess I will keep my eye on the Cabelas kit but also a close eye on classified ads. If there is anyone up in the Area of Bellingham, WA and wants to go out drop me a line. I LOVED these guns as a kid and I can say the "hook" has already been set. I am just getting out of the Army so I have fired a good deal of guns, and I can say the best ever were the ML I fired as a kid!

 

[Jayhem]

I just bought a mint condition, .50 cal Thompson Center Renegade Percussion gun from a dealer on gunbroker dot com for $191! The gun is in amazing shape with a perfect bore and shoots great. It's already my favorite muzzleloader and I have 3!