reliable gun for round balls

[peterk]

What would you guys recommend? I am looking for something that would cost $250 or less but would have great accuracy out to 100 yds. It appears that 1:60 twist is preferred but I have not found many options. Go easy on me, I'm a beginner.

 

[Ohio Joe]

What do you plan on using the rifle for? Hunting, target shooting, or both?

 

[peterk]

Both.

 

[brushbuster]

that might be a little tough for your price range and i may get overruled but here goes
you ma be able to find a thompson center rifle out of a pawn shop or locate one on e bay .i have also seen them from time to time in gun list and shotgun news .for myself it is hard to purchase a gun without holding it in my hands first.another option is for around 300.00 you can buy a kit from t/c or cva . save up a few more dollars and you can get a great plains rifle from cabelas for 399.00 to 499.oo :m2c:

 

[pepperbelly]

Find either a T/C Hawken or a T/C Renegade, which is a Hawken without the frills. You can find one used in good shape for that amount. The Lymans GPR is also a very good choice.
I would avoid CVA, but that's just my opinion.
I researched T/C and found that, if you can find one, that's your best bet.
Jim

 

[roundball]

Check the classified ads at the top of the forum

 

[Ohio Joe]

You may look at the Cabela's Hawken Rifle in either finished or kit form. It is made by the same company that makes the Lyman Great Plains Rifle, Investarms... I almost forgot about them... There twist is 1 in 48, and the depth of rifling is .010... Not a bad deal! :imo:

 

[ndbilly]

Just my $.02 from a limited perspective:

Bought a used Lyman Trade Rifle in .50 cal. late last summer and it's been a sweet heart. Using PRB's exclusively. Shot a deer with it last month and have no complaints. Delivered to my door for just a little under $185.00.

 

[RipStop]

I have a Cabela's Hawken Rifle, shoots about the same as the T/C for a lower price (at least mine does). I prefer the .54, but thats just me. They have them for about $270 right now but when I bought mine it was only about $220, then again prices are always higher this time of year...

The good thing about the 1:48 twist is that it will shoot PRB and conicals with about the same accuracy. You may want to consider it if you like to switch around like I do. I'd swear that thing is more accurate than my cartrige guns.

-RipStop

 

[oldmaster]

I also have a Cabela's Hawken. Fine rifle for the price.Very accurate

 

[silverfox]

Okay: I'll add my 2 cents too. Perterk if you are even thinking about moose don't go less then .54. Now for the last 2 weeks on this forum for new shooters and first guns all I have been seeing is go to Wal-mart ask for their special order catalog and look at the Lyman GPR claim to be the cheapest around. It's a very good rifle for the price. Just don't get the conical barrel. As has been mentioned there are pawn shops, this forum clasified, Online Auctions,just look around let the guys at your club or rifle range know you are looking and you will be a proud owner of a BP gun soon.
Merry Christmas
Fox

 

[Bob J]

Save another $50.00 to $75.00 and, from Midsouth Shooters Supply", you can buy the Lyman Great Plains Rifle in .54; looks authentic and shoots great! :m2c:

 

[peterk]

Do you guys find much of a difference between the 1;48 and the 1:60? Accuracy, distance?

Thanks for all the replies.

 

[[email protected]]

I agree with ndbilly... LYMAN TRADE RIFLE.....
TRY SHOOTIN A MAXIBALL WITH 100 GR 2F......IT WILL ROCK YER BONES,,,,,LOVELY RIFLE....GOT MINE $150 on gunbroker
just like NEW.....THE GREAT PLAINS RIFLE IS SWEET ALSO...JUST A BIT HEAVIER....AND LONGER...
member ta keep yer powder dry!
hold a small bead

***** WV SCROUNGER ****

 

[Barney]

Might be alone here but I can't complain about my CVA Hawken even a little.

Barney

 

[JeffS]

A guy I shoot cowboy action with had a nice .50 Hawken for sale, wanted 150.00 I think it was a T/C might have been a CVA, not sure. If you are interested Private Message me, and I will see if he still has it, and put you in touch with him. He used to work for Shiloh Sharps, and he really knows his guns, I dont believe he would pass off any junk. When I saw it, it looked new. Probably just add shipping from Colorado, if it is ok to ship a BP gun into MA.

Jeff

 

[harryo]

Do you guys find much of a difference between the 1;48 and the 1:60? Accuracy, distance?

Thanks for all the replies.

As a general rule, the slower twist barrels are better ball shooters, although many 1:48" twist barrels will shoot balls quite well. For $200, your best bet would be a used rifle. The Lyman GPR, with a 1:60" twist barrel is probably the best production ball shooter available. T/C did make some rifles with a 1:66" twist barrels but they are not nearly as common as their slower, 1:48" twist barrels. The other Lyman rifles, Cabela's rifles and T/C rifles, with 1:48" twist barrels can also shoot balls well but might take a bit more load experimentation to find a suitable ball, patch, powder combination.

An option, though it might cost you a bit more than $200, is to find a used T/C Renegade or Hawken stock and lock, or any Investarms Hawken stock and lock, which would include the Cabela's rifles, and purchase a Green Mountain drop in barrel. This would give you the best shooting ball rifle you can get, short of a custom rifle, IMO. I put one of these together for $230.