Some newbie help?

OK, so I am about to ask the most cliché newbie question that there is. Please bear with because I am a newbie and could really use some advice. What muzzleloader should I buy? I have been bitten by the black powder bug and want to move up to something a bit nicer. About 6 months ago I picked up two very used CVA .50 percussion rifles, Hawken style (sort of). I got them for very short money and figured it was a good way to get into black powder shooting. I figured that if I did not care for it that I would be out very little. Also thought I would make my mistakes on a couple of junkers. One has a 28” barrel and the other a 24” barrel. They were well used by the previous owner who claimed to be able to shoot 4” groups at 100 yards and took a fair amount of game with them. The bores were in decent condition except for a light layer of rust, but no pitting. It took several hours each to get them into shooting condition. They really are a hoot to shoot, I love the smoke and the smell and just the whole process. It is just such a fun and relaxing way to spend an afternoon at the range. Now I want to get a good rifle.

What do I mean by a “good” rifle? I would like something that is fairly faithful to the original in design. I am leaning towards a Hawken type, percussion to shoot round balls. I am meticulous about caring for my firearms and want something with a nice fit and finish. I can clean the two that I have now until hell freezes over and I will still only have two beaters. I want a good accurate shooter with good sights. Also, quite frankly I want it to be beautiful (or at least aesthetically pleasing). I am not really a hunter, but might take it up (get back to it) in the future. Mostly I like to plink at the range.

So far I am really only aware of the production models that are available like Thompson Center, Lyman, Pedersoli etc. I have to say that the Pedersoli Rocky Mountain with a maple stock looks incredibly beautiful to me. I also see that someone on the forum has an Ithaca for sale, I have read good things about them also. I guess that is the rub, I have only read about these rifles and have no first hand experience. At this point I have not even considered the custom field although I would not rule it out.

So to you experienced black powder shooters if you were in my shoes today knowing what you know now, what would you go for? Thanks in advance for any help or guidance, it is appreciated.

 

[R.M.]

From what your saying, and from what I'm hearing, I would go the Pedersoli Rocky Mountain way.

 

[bob308]

i would say from experiance the layman great plains rifle.i have one, got it used and in over 20 years it has never let me down.

 

[tg]

The LGP would give the most gun for the money

 

[36ball]

Thompson center hawken-lifetime warranty

 

[trent/OH]

Whichever new rifle you buy, consider keeping one or both of the beaters. You may be able to re-barrel one sometime in some other caliber than your usual, and then you'd have two good rifles at a nice price. Maybe get a squirrel rifle barrel in .32 or .36, or a big bore in .58 or .62 caliber.

 

[William O.]

If you want to shoot round ball only then I would recommend the Lyman Great Plains Rifle (GPR), or if you think you might like the option of being able to shoot round ball (RB) as well as certain conicals, then go with the Lyman Trade Rifle (TR). The GPR has a 1:60 twist, which is slow and suited for RB, while the TR has a 1:48 twist, which is medium and shoots RB and conicals well. The GPR has an optional "Hunter" barrel that will drop into the stock and has a fast twist 1:32 for shooting conicals and sabots well.

After that I would go with the Pedersolli offerings, or even the T/C Hawkin style rifles.

 

[Johnny Tremain]

Why settle for good, when you can get best?
http://www.flintlocks.com/

Or we can mess around for 20 years like we did and try cheaper ones.

 

[Liver eatin’ Johnson]

Here's one that might fit your description - looks pretty good to me... no idea what the reserve is but it sure is nice lookin' :thumbsup:

Do a Search on Gunbroker for Hawkin ( they spelled Hawken wrong )

 

[tr07416]

Hi Goose,
I asked a similar question here on the forum
a couple of years ago and the first feller to
respond suggested I save up for a semi-custom rifle instead of investing in a factory made production gun. I wish I had taken his advice.
I ended up getting a TVM (Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading) rifle anyway and now the factory
gun mostly sits on the rack. Just my 2 cents.
Good Luck,
TR

 

[jethro224]

The T/C would be a better rifle.
The GPR, Pedersoli, Ithaca, or Browning rifles would also be better and better looking too.

Sounds like you want something REALLY nice tho so I'd say shoot what you have for a while and save up for a custom.

 

[longcruise]

If the Ithaca is priced right, it would make you a good rifle.

I like the lyman GPR. I have one and have built three from kits. All .54's. Mine has eventually ended up with a GM barrel on it so if you figger the price of a GPR and the GM barrel you begin to be in the range of a handmade rifle from a custom or semi custom builder!

The GPR will do you fine, but you will have a break-in process to complete and a few other fine tuning items.

Note the thread on the single trigger for the GPR that is ongoing at this time. Lyman does not position the set trigger very well and on top of that they vary from gun to gun. For most GPRs, you might as well reconcile yourself to having a set-only trigger system. OTOH, a well built semicustom gun equipped with set trigger will usually have a pretty good quality trigger system. At the very least, you get to specify what you want and could go with a single trigger if you like.

 

[erzengel]

What do I mean by a “good” rifle?

I would like something that is fairly faithful to the original in design.

I am meticulous about caring for my firearms and want something with a nice fit and finish.

I want a good accurate shooter with good sights.

Also, quite frankly I want it to be beautiful (or at least aesthetically pleasing).

Mostly I like to plink at the range.

:hmm:

According to your description of a good gun, I would suggest go for a full custom made high end rifle.

Your sentence about plinking is still difficult to interpret for a european newbie here. As a full custom rifle has its price, this my be the argument for a semi custom or Pedersoli. The others, I have not held them in my hands or shot with them. Therefore I can't say anything about them. :v

Hope you get a fine rifle to your liking.

 

Wow, some great advice friom all. Thank you. Can anyone recommend a good custom maker and what one might expect to pay? Probably a dumb question given the variables. PS: Just went to the TVM site, very interesting and surprisingly reasonable.