Pedersoli Blue Ridge Rifle, or Kentucky Rifle?

[ItsOddball]

Hello everyone! I am quite new here, so bear with my n00b-ness. Evermore, I am in the market for my first flintlock & my first black powder rifle at that. I just turned 18 in late July, so I am new to the scene here, but have wanted a flintlock for about the past 2-3 years now. In fact I wanted to get a fowler as my first, to shoot small game & large game with, as I pretty much am unseen by the human race during the hunting season (same can be said for fishing), and I hunt anything from dove, to Elk.. that being said, I have found that fowlers (any decent ones) are beyong my budget at the moment, and have heard mixed things about the Indian Trade Musket from Pedersoli (I do not have the skill level to finish a gun after I get it essentially). Evermore, here is my dilemma:

I have been searching for a good rifle as a compromise. I have sorta went back and forth between a few, and have narrowed it down to the Lyman GPR, Pedersoli Blue Ridge, or a 'Soli Kentucky Rifle... and maybe even the Frontier (tad more expensive)

I do like the Lyman, but I am not a fan of the weight, nor the half-stock at the moment. So that being said, just sticking to the 'Solis, I think that those two are pretty sweet.. I'm unsure of the quality and technical differences between the kentucky & blue ridge, beyond the point of the extra furniture & single trigger on the Kentucky. I'm going to be using the rifle I get for hunting Elk & Deer especially (.50 cal round ball I have heard will take both, but I do believe both of these rifles have a 1:48" twist, so I could use a conical if need-be, but I intend to be a purist with the roundball). I don't need (or want) anything too fancy, since this will essentially be my "beater" rifle. Here in Wisconsin you can use a Flintlock during gun season, as well as the Muzzleloader season, so I will be doing this. I intend to pretty much replace my hunting rifles with the flintlock side of things (I don't know why, but I like period things.. sold my $1100 Mathews Z7 Extreme set up, for a longbow, if that is any indication).

I guess, my question is, out of these 2-3 rifles, which would you suggest? As for the double triggers, it's not a make or break for me at all.. I personally like fowlers the best, and if I had the net-worth of Bill Gates, I'd be set, buuuut, I am a broke college student so you know how it is haha. Moral of the story, fowlers have le single trigger, so the set-trigger is a tad excessive, but I heard they're nice (and I guess for a big-game application they could come in handy). But I'm not partial too much. Either way, any opinions??


- Jared

 

[BrownBear]

I own both the Lyman and the Pedersoli Frontier. Can't say about the Kentucky, but the Lyman just suits me better than the Frontier. They both shoot well, but for me the easily removable barrel on the Lyman gives it the nod with the frequent cleaning required by muzzleloaders. Each person is different, but I also find the Lyman easier to shoot offhand accurately. Next guy in line will tell you something different, and he'll be right too.

Best possible idea would be to find a muzzleloading club anywhere within driving range and go there for a shoot. I'm betting lots of guys would let you handle their various guns, and most would encourage you to shoot them. Then you'll know for sure which is right for you.

 

[Otter]

I have 2 Lyman GPRs (.50 and .54 cappers) and a .50 Pedersoli/Cabela's Blue Ridge flinter. I like the BR a lot, but seem to always reach for the .54 GPR - shoots great and has more "whompability". If you are set on a flinter and want to shoot RBs, the Blue Ridge is available in .54 w/ 1:65 roundball twist. Good rifle and won't break the bank . . . BTW, a .54 doesn't necessarily mean a big powder charge - my hunting load is 75 gr 3f BP.

 

[hanshi]

Welcome to the forum, ItsOddball. :thumbsup:

 

[ItsOddball]

Hmm, I will have to look around some. I'm not exactly sure if there are any clubs around here with Black Powder emphasis, but I shall find out soon! Haha.

As for the rifles, I thank you for the input! I certainly haven't written off the Lyman; I hear great things about them. I will have to take a second look, it seems. I really wish I could find them in stock around here to handle them directly, but that probably won't be an option, so I thank you for the input!!

 

[ItsOddball]

So the .54 round-ball twist should be better for deer/elk then, I take it? I'm unsure how .54 & .50 compare, beyond .50 being more readily available lol

 

[Zonie]

I think one of the things you need to find out before getting totally sold on a flintlock is, can you get real black powder in your area?

The percussion (cap) guns will work with the modern synthetic black powder substitutes but a flintlock will work poorly or not at all with them.

Because of Federal restrictions, many gun stores do not carry real black powder.
Those who do cannot have it on a shelf like they can with other powders so you have to ask for it.

Many of our members buy real black powder on line but there is a cost to doing this.

Although real black powder isn't that expensive, some of it costing as little as $15/pound, there is the regular shipping charges plus a Hazardous Material cost of over $20 per shipment.

The Haz. Mat fee is for each shipment, regardless of size. In other words, it costs the same for one pound to 50 pounds. That is why many of those who do order their black powder via the web, order 10 or more pounds at a time.
That's fine if you can afford it but most people can't cough up $190 or more.

If you call the local gun stores or sporting goods stores, ask to talk to the manager. Many of the regular employees aren't aware that the store does have it, locked up in its powder storage box.

 

[Alden]

Hmmm...

OK, as the Cabela's Ped'i Blue Ridge/Frontier/Hatfield .54 is only available in 1:65 and the .50 is not light (actually with 39" barrel is the heaviest full-octagon I personally can handle) I'd lean towards the super-sweet (to-me) handling Cabela's Ped'i Kentucky flintlock (double set trigger still, right?) in .50, on sale now for $550, with free shipping too. That said...

Handle all three if you can. And if you truly mean to use rounball, including probably for elk which are certain in your hunting future, ya know, that .54 Frontier/Blue Ridge probably uses the same barrel as the .50 and may be lighter front-end balanced than the .50. Maybe someone can confirm here? If so I'd change my mind and lean towards that .54. Again, IF elk is a given and you can live with roundball and maybe the Lee-type REAL light conicals.

 

[wayne terry]

Lyman GPR gets my vote every time I have sold many people on these guns and no one has ever cursed me for it, I own them I shoot them no complaints.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

I think the GPR is a bit better than the Blue Ridge Hunter, but you've narrowed it down to two Pedersoli products....I think the "frontier" aka the Blue Ridge Hunter beats the other Pedersoli rifle by a good margin. A bigger more durable lock for one reason; larger pan + larger flints = better ignition and I only had to use one horn with 3Fg for both prime and main charge (but that's just me)

The barrel in the BRH is secured by two screws that go through the two ramrod thimbles, so not too tough to remove if you really need to do so.

To get optimal accuracy you will need to swap out the steel front sight post for a thin bladed front sight. The breech is a patent breech so you have to be careful to keep that clean. It could do with some cosmetic work, but that has nothing to do with dependability. I don't like the fact that Pedersoli in some of their flinters uses a wood screw through the lock to help secure the lock in addition to the lock screw...but it's not a "deal breaker"...

It's a straight barrel rifle so not the lightest option, and the .54 is a few ounces lighter than the .50. To really lighten a LR you need to go swamped but then in my case that meant 2X the cost of the BRH...

The only reason I went to another rifle was cosmetic for historic reasons, not for a lack of accuracy when shooting. :grin:

LD

 

[Billnpatti]

You are in much the same condition that many of our forefathers found themselves in. You have limited funds and need to find the best, most universal gun that you can afford. I don't know what your budget is but I highly suggest that you consider a smoothbore just as so many of our forefathers did. You can load a ball in it for big game or you can shoot shot in it for small game and birds. It is pretty universal. There are a couple smoothbores for sale on the forum http://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/pp-classifieds/showcat.php/cat/9. Check them out and see if any of them fit your need. The one on the first page is a bit pricy but it is made by a good builder and worth what the guy is asking. You could also consider one of the single barrel shotguns but if any of them interest you, contact the seller and find out if it has a cylinder bore so you can shoot balls with it.

Of those that you suggested, you can't go wrong with a Pedersoli. They make really nice guns. I have owned several over the years and all have been dandies. The Lyman GPR has always been a well made and good shooting rifle. I have owned two of them, one was a flintlock and one was a caplock. Both were fine rifles and I would have no resdervations about recommending either one. However, I have seen recent posts about the quality of the current GPRs. As I understand the complaints, the quality of the parts is still good but the building is a bit hit or miss. If you are looking at one of the older GPRs, if it has been proeprly cared for, it will be a good gun. On the other hand if you are wanting to buy a new GPR, my advice is to go to the store and look at the exact gun you are going to buy. Make sure that it is well made with good wood to metal fit and make sure that all of the other parts are properely fit. Just avoid that one in however many that is less than a quality build. I think, if you choose to buy any one of the guns that you are looking at, you will be well pleased. However, don't give up on the idea of a smoothbore. It might just be your best chioce for the reasons that I gave.

 

[Rick Boylan]

Hmm, I will have to look around some. I'm not exactly sure if there are any clubs around here with Black Powder emphasis, but I shall find out soon! Haha.

As for the rifles, I thank you for the input! I certainly haven't written off the Lyman; I hear great things about them. I will have to take a second look, it seems. I really wish I could find them in stock around here to handle them directly, but that probably won't be an option, so I thank you for the input!!

Maybe something on this list will help you out. I just did a search for Wisconsin black powder and grabbed this.
http://www.anythingwisconsin.com/muzzleloader.htm

I would suggest the Pedersoli, but that's because I currently own and shoot one. I also have a CVA Hawkin style rifle in caplock, but my flinter is a Kentucky Pedersoli with a single trigger. I love it.

 

[Critter Getter]

I would want to shoulder the guns that your interested in to see which fits you best. I shoot the Pedersoli Frontier and it seems to bea quality arm. The Lyman GPR has a stock with way too much drop for my face. Greg

 

[Col. Batguano]

Don't forget to look around for some used custom guns. You might find some at a price right around the cost of the components or even a little less, which is right around the price of the Pedersoli's.

 

[Otter]

So the .54 round-ball twist should be better for deer/elk then, I take it? I'm unsure how .54 & .50 compare, beyond .50 being more readily available lol

If you are are satisfied shooting roundballs only, I would say either the GPR or the Blue Ridge in .54 would be very good choices. If you are going to shoot just RBs, might as well get a rifle with the rifling twist to best shoot them. The only difference (IMHO) between supplies for a .50 and a .54 is the roundball size. .54s (actually .530" or .535" dia) are very readily available online though not so much at the local sporting goods store.

I cast my own roundballs (that's all I shoot), cut my own patches, make my own lube and make most of my other accoutrements - not hard if you are willing to learn, and I actually enjoy it. Not sure where you are in Wisconsin, but am sure there are ML clubs and/or shooters near where you are. If you are on the west side of the state, our son is in the Mpls/St Paul area and is fairly well versed in shooting MLs - might could get you two together sometime.

BTW - RBs are plenty for deer and elk - a .54 ball is just (roughly) 25% heavier than a .50 ball.

 

[ItsOddball]

Yeah I really do want a smoothbore still. Ever since I first feasted my eyes on the whole flintlock concept, I have wanted one.. but as previously stated, I won't be able to afford one for a while haha. I am going to try and call about possibly seeing if they're going to be in stock, so I can fondle them first. And with the black powder deal, I'll end up just buying it online, I'd rather do that than have to get a caplock. But I could talk with the local shops as well.

 

[Critter Getter]

Depending on where you are at in Wisconsin, you might consider a trip to Rockford, Illinois to Pecatonica River Muzzleloaders as they had a used Pedersoli Frontier 50 flint the last time I was there. They also had a Lyman GPR as well but I can't remember if it was cap or flint. May be worth a call to their shop. Greg

 

[Alden]

Odd;
Isn't there a a Cabela's in Richfield you could make a pilgrimage to Pilgrim!? May not be the closest even...

 

[Leatherbark]

I had one. It has a 7/8ths inch barrel which makes the walls very thin but the chambered breech made it safe I'm sure. I once read that Pedersoli used a special steel just for these barrels but that might be just an internet rumor. Sort of wish I had it back but if you shoot it a lot like in NMLRA competition mirage was terrible. It loaded tight with .530 balls I remember and bought a .527 Lee mold (discontinued). Handled well for sure.

Bob

 

[Kapow]

If you were just after deer I would say go with the Kentucky. I love my flint Kentucky in .50 but if I could get the same rifle with double triggers I'd love it even more.

For elk you are better served with a .54 such as the Lyman GPR but why not look also at the Lyman Trade rifle, with 28inch barrel? It has a 1:48 shallow twist rifling suited for roundballs and maxis. I doubt you will have much joy getting maxis to fly well in the Pedersoli Kentucky,as the rifling is deeper.