Still Looking for First ML

[mooman76]

cainsoutdoors.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

The price of a rifle is often determined by the components that went into the rifle.

I'd say the price of the rifle or gun, Begins with the components that go into it. Then you pay for the skill of the builder to do the basics, then you pay for the artwork, and finally (sometimes) the name of the builder if the builder is well known.

Unfortunately, I've seen some rifles built by fellows who want to get into the carving, either before they master the basics, or without much attention to the basics. Meaning, I've seen rifles with carving priced in the $2K price range, and yes the carving is very good, but the wood to metal fit at the lock mortise is average, or they left too much wood to the rear of the lock mortise because they bought a pre-carved stock...., or both. In my mind if you botch the lock mortise, or the barrel tang inlay, you have no business charging top dollar for your carving, (imho). Kinda like a baker who does an amazing job on the cake filling between the layers and the frosting and decoration, but the actual cake is poor. I object to this because a lot of these rifles get sold from a well known muzzleloader parts site on consignment..., meaning the buyers couldn't spot the flaws in the photographs beause they might be new to the hobby or simply didn't know what to look for, and so (again imho) they got ripped off. :shocked2:

LD

 

[AZbpBurner]

Okay. I couldn't wait for gun shows and bought a .54 cabelas, unfired, 29" barrel, hawken style without the brass. Pics looked awesome and reputable seller. I will do a thorough cleaning before going to the range and open a new thread with pics after the first smoke fills the air. Can't wait, Been reading a lot on how to get started.

Now to order RBs, range rod, etc., suggestions of a good online store? My bass pro shop down here does not have a lot of choices.

Track of the Wolf is a great one-stop-shopping source for shooting supplies, from flints to patches, to bullet molds. You can get hickory or ramin blanks and make your own range rods; I have a rod for nearly all of my rifles and muskets and more than one for a couple of rifles.

MidwayUSA is also a good source for RB molds, and jedediah-starr.com has a lot of items. Look around for best prices including shipping, and order accordingly.

 

[Cowboy]

My first muzzleloader was also a Cabela's Hawken made by Invest Arm. Mine is a .50 though.

They are very good muzzleloaders for the money. I couldn't think of a better rifle when it comes to just getting started. They are also very accurate as well!

I hope you enjoy your new muzzleloader my friend!

Respectfully, Cowboy :thumbsup:

 

[Elkeater]

RMC oxyoke

 

[Dibbuk]

Congratulations on your first ML rifle.

Things you will need to pick up:
Powder: GOEX 2F would be my choice.
Patching: Head to your local fabric shop and buy a yard of pillow ticking. Wash it to remove the sizing, and soften it up. If money is tight, you can get by with an old 100% cotton T-shirt, but patch thickness will vary from shirt to shirt.
Percussion caps and balls: Here I would suggest you wait until you get the actual rifle in your hands, so you can verify caliber, and check if the nipple takes #11 caps, musket caps, or moder rifle or shotgun primers.
Short starter: Buy or make.
Cleaning jag, ball puller, patch puller: Again, wait until you get the rifle, so you can verify the threads match the ramrod.
Powder measure: Buy an adjustable one.
Patch knife: You can use a sharp pocket knife, or buy or make a dedicated patch knife.
Nipple wrench: Be sure it fits the nipple on the rifle.
Gun Oil: Small bottle
Shooting pouch or tackle box to keep everything in.

You can use normal spit or water mixed with a little Murphy's soap as patch lube, until you find something you like better.

 

[jefftx]

Ty gun nut. Still waiting on rifle. Bought a usps money order to pay for it. Dummy me, I sent it regular mail on August 8. Seller, who is the same state, hasn't gotten it. Post office says I got to wait 30 days before they will try to track the money order. Seller very nice. Said he would wait. Very frustrating.

 

[Rick Boylan]

It always drives me nuts when I have to pay via money order or check. I had one that took a long time to get to the guy and then find out that it was sitting in a post office in a town close to him. He didn't have a local PO.

I've gotten so that I pay the extra dollar to get tracking on the payment and insurance too. If you don't have them and it gets lost the shipping service will often not pay for your lost money. It's just worth the extra peace of mind.

 

[William O.]

Ty gun nut. Still waiting on rifle. Bought a usps money order to pay for it. Dummy me, I sent it regular mail on August 8. Seller, who is the same state, hasn't gotten it. Post office says I got to wait 30 days before they will try to track the money order. Seller very nice. Said he would wait. Very frustrating.

What's the latest on your purchase?