Please vote by number

[Kestrel]

#2 Pedersoli. Nuff said!

 

[azmntman]

OK, we have spoken, order and enjoy.

 

[gabedard]

#2 Pedersoli makes decent rifles

 

[lonewolf172]

Yeah the votes have it a .54 Pedersoli Blue Ridge but still need just a couple of questions answered by someone who also has one.

 

[painter]

I have a Pedersoli Frontier, same gun as the Blue Ridge, but in 36 cal. Not sure if my input would be pertinent to your questions.

 

[Hatman/2nd line]

I built #4 in percussion but wish now that it was a flinter!

 

[Critter Getter]

Yeah the votes have it a .54 Pedersoli Blue Ridge but still need just a couple of questions answered by someone who also has one.

What are your questions that you need answered? Greg

 

[lonewolf172]

What are your questions that you need answered? Greg

Measurements across the flat and groove depth. All I've been able to find about the flat measurements was .888" which actually falls in between 7/8 and 15/16

 

[Critter Getter]

Measurements across the flat and groove depth. All I've been able to find about the flat measurements was .888" which actually falls in between 7/8 and 15/16

I would suggest calling or emailing Pedersoli to ask those questions. My Blue Ridge flinter is a .50 and my Frontier is a .36. Neither of my .54’s are Pedersoli’s. Greg

 

[Hillbilly Delux]

#4. Build it yourself.

 

[Crow-Feather]

Here are my choices again: 1) .50 Traditions Deluxe Kentucky. 2) .54 Cabelas Pedersoli Blue Ridge Kentucky. 3) .50 GPR. 4) .54 GPR kit. Please base your vote on which is the most reliable and most well built. Not so much on caliber or price.

3/and Since the GPR kit is in the white (very minor fitting and sanding/finishing stock and barrel) 4, if you want a browned barreled rifle. BTW, Lyman is now selling a new rifle based on the GPR but with a 1" barrel called the Great Plains Signature Series, made by Pedersoli. Lyman GPR's is made by Investarms.

 

[dogfood]

I'd suggest either 2 or 3. I've had both and they're both solid. At that point it really boils down to aesthetics, fit, handling and intended use which varies person to person.
Traditions guns seem to me to be just okay. They're functional but I find something lacking when I've shouldered them, can't quite articulate it beyond that, though.

 

[lonewolf172]

I would suggest calling or emailing Pedersoli to ask those questions. My Blue Ridge flinter is a .50 and my Frontier is a .36. Neither of my .54’s are Pedersoli’s. Greg

Emailed them twice but no replies.

 

[Crow-Feather]

Emailed them twice but no replies.

Try this email address:
[email protected]

 

[Critter Getter]

http://www.cherrys.com/kevincherry.htmyyou might try contacting Cherry’s with your questions............greg

 

[Nameless Hunter]

Measurements across the flat and groove depth. All I've been able to find about the flat measurements was .888" which actually falls in between 7/8 and 15/16

This question was asked about a year ago. A member named "Snooterpup" measured the barrel on his Hatfield (same barrel is used I believe on the Hatfield, Frontier, and Blue Ridge) at 0.888", which is 0.013" over 7/8". Unless you're planning on stuffing 200 gr down the barrel, that's plenty thick enough for a 54 cal, IMHO.

 

[lonewolf172]

Try this email address:
[email protected]

Thanks. I just sent an email. I'm only asking these questions because I am concerned about the walls being to thin especially in the .54 cal. Also it would be nice to know if the grooves are shallow or at least a decent depth

 

[lonewolf172]

http://www.cherrys.com/kevincherry.htmyyou might try contacting Cherry’s with your questions............greg

Thanks. I also sent Cherry an email. It might just be me. I tend to over think things. The barrel is just fine for even stout loads of say 70-90grs of Triple7 FFF. However it would be nice to know ahead of time what the groove depth is before I try to get the barrel slugged and find out that the grooves are really shallow

 

[painter]

Pedersoli has recommended loads...These are for the Frontier in 54 Cal...

FRONTIER
Percussione / Percussion Cal Powder charge Max Charge Ball Diameter Patch Thickness
A percussion / Perkussion .54 3,56 55 5,83 90 13,59 .535 round 0,25 .010

I've attached the Pedersoli document. The numbers aren't etched in stone, but you can see that the grooves can't be very deep if they're recommending a .010 patch with a .535 ball.

 

[ugly old guy]

The only option I have personal experience with is the Taditions Kentucky Rifle kit. (mine was an identicle CVA, but .45 caliber).
If you're going to be shooting patched round ball exclusively, get the Traditions, with PDB friendly 1:66 turn rifling.
With a patchex .440 round ball in front of 120 grains Fg or 100 grains FFg real black powder, my CVA shot 1 MOA at 100 yards.
Note it won't shoot conicals as accurately, as they require a faster twist.

Don't get anything that requires inletting from scratch, or that you have to assemble the lock or trigger.
The three different rifle TRADITIONS/ CVA kits I've built required no inletting or adjustments at all.
The locks came pre-assembled, and the drum and nipple lined up perfectly with the hammer.
I also like that Traditions use a patent breech. (so did CVA) The drum (percussion) or vent (flintlock) are screwed into both the barrel and breechplug, locking the breechplug in place. Much stronger than the drum or vent just screwing into the breechplug.

.50 is more than sufficient for deer inside 60~70 yards, with the proper load.
Personally, I consider anything oved 60 yards with a traditional sidelock muzzleloader to be a "long" shot. I'll get closer if the critter is more than 65~70 yards away.

My .50 CVA mountain rifle (28 inch barrel 1:48 twist) liked 140 grains Fg behind a patched .450 round ball. 4 to 5 inch MOA at 100 yards (lighter charges were not as accurate) I never got to try conicals with it.

.54 caliber with proper load is sufficient fof any game critter in the Americas, and Alaska, again inside 50~70 yards or so.

As others have mentioned, don't overlook a used or factory assembled Lyman GPR/Trade rifle.
Pedersoloi makes a good gun. (for the price it daRn well better be.)

Another option might be a used Thompson Center Renegade or Hawken.
If you shop around, you can get a factory Hawken in .54 caliber, not just .45 or .50.
The Renegade's were all .54, if memory serves, but may have a 2 inch shorter barrel than the Hawken.
Note the Thompson Center's came with a conical friendly 1:48 twist.
The discontinued Green Mountain 1:66 round ball twist T/C drop in barrels are about as plentiful as crappie and bluegill teeth on the used market.

I've hunted in Iowa, Missouri, and now Idaho.
I've never hunted in Indiana. or neighboring Illinois, Michigan, Ohio, and Kentucky.
The three states above that I have hunted in were/are "50 yards is a 'long' shot." Is Indiana the same?