recommendations for 1st BP rifle

[jbtusa]

Go with a cap GPR in .54. You will not regret the larger caliber. They are very accurate for a production rifle.

 

[tg]

"I agree with the others as far as there is no need to use conicals, which are mostly a gimick"

By Gawd, it is good to see that some more folks are coming around and seeking the true ways and following the light. :thumbsup:

 

[nkbj]

SW Georgia?
I'd have to go with a shorter barrel than a GPR. And, a faster twist to allow you to enjoy a fuller range of muzzleloading. For very good reasons TC went with the "compromise" twists that shoot great with roundball and various designs of conicals.
If I was starting out I'd go with an American made muzzleloader with 15/16" or 1" barrel in 54. And that's with a hunting length barrel for use in the piney-viney woods of semi-tropical southern America.
I'd go find a tenderly used Renegade with the 1" barrel. Renegades have always been known as accurate rifles with roundball. 54 will take care of anything walking. And, if you're after something that would like to chew your leg off, you can load conicals with all the power you can handle.
Almost forgot...a TC New Englander in 54. You can get good ones for a song. Solid as a rock and deadly as David's.

 

[Tom Compton]

Great Plains Rifle
.54 cal
FLINTLOCK !!!!

 

[shdwlkr]

I would go with the 54 caliber as that was the first one I got. I also went with a cap lock only
it was easier to get used to for me.
As to powder start with real black and then you can try the others later unless you can't find real black then use what is available. You have to be flexible when shooting a muzzle loader. Use .530 sized balls if you can find them if you can only find .535 or .520 all you have to do is go to a thinner or thicker patch material to make up the tight fit you need. Patching can be pillow ticking, denim, cotton cloth or even cotton flannel if that is all you can find. All you have to know it the thickness and the size of your rb that you are using. If you are using a cap lock you can use regular caps, magnum caps, the new 40% hotter caps. I have moved to just magnum caps and now they are gone or at least very hard to find and the new 40% hotter caps that are now becoming the only ones available.
I also have .32,.36 and .50 caliber cap locks and they are all TC models but they are getting harder to find anymore. All I need now is a .40,.45 and a .58 all made by TC then I can stop.

 

[rayb]

My first ML rifle was .54. I've never needed another, but of course have bought & traded for some others.

Can't go wrong with a .54.

rayb

 

[jan buck]

SW Georgia?
I'd have to go with a shorter barrel than a GPR. And, a faster twist to allow you to enjoy a fuller range of muzzleloading. For very good reasons TC went with the "compromise" twists that shoot great with roundball and various designs of conicals.
If I was starting out I'd go with an American made muzzleloader with 15/16" or 1" barrel in 54. And that's with a hunting length barrel for use in the piney-viney woods of semi-tropical southern America.
I'd go find a tenderly used Renegade with the 1" barrel. Renegades have always been known as accurate rifles with roundball. 54 will take care of anything walking. And, if you're after something that would like to chew your leg off, you can load conicals with all the power you can handle.
Almost forgot...a TC New Englander in 54. You can get good ones for a song. Solid as a rock and deadly as David's.

my vote for the tc also. bought [5] over the last couple of months, both hawken and renegade in .50-.54 calibers-all were under 200.00. .54 renegade would be my choice.
welcome to the soot belcher clan!

 

[Mulebrain]

The Lyman has many things going for it! Traditional looks, Steel furniture, Double wedge keys, Good fit and finish, Great quality overall, Good value for the price!

I have the caplock in .50, and .54 in flint. I have no complaints on either! Great shooters as well! You can buy it in kit form, and really do it up!

 

[nw_hunter]

The GPR is the best Production Rifle for money that you can get. Buy it in 54 cal. and you won't need to buy any other barrels down the road or need any other projectile. A 54 cal. rb will kill anything in North America.

Robert
***************************

The GPR is a great rifle, and looks more like the Hawken for sure, but the Thompson Hawken is in my opinion, the best for the money. It is American made and has a lifetime of the rifle warranty.

You can also get the drop-in barrels for them.
I agree the RB will kill anything in North America, but the conical out of a fast twist has it's advantages also.

If your looking for a rifle without the brass,and one that looks more like ole Jim Bridger's rifle, then the GPR is the one :grin: BG

 

[elglide]

Absolutely the GPR, I just finished one in kit form ($350 from Midsouth shooters Supply plus shipping)Great looking and shoots lights out. I browned the barrel and hardware stained it almost black looks almost as good as a custom Hawken. You cant go wrong with Lyman.