Thoughts on a new purchase

[Mesnyder02]

New to Black Powder and this forum but glad to be here! I'm in the market for my first percussion black powder rifle and was curious what folks consider the best bang for the buck in the market? I have looked at Traditions Kentucky and similar brands/models in the $400 - $800 range. I'd like to keep it in that range if possible but if there is a rifle out there at the $1000 to $1200 mark that is twice the quality for the money I would be willing to stretch to that price point. I would use this rifle 80% target shooting and 20% deer hunting if that helps. Thank you for your thoughts and opinions!

 

[gabedard]

Look at cabelas blue ridge or Lyman Great Plains rifle
Also a fan of pedersoli scout
All good production rifles in different flavors

 

[Larry (Omaha)]

New to Black Powder and this forum but glad to be here! I'm in the market for my first percussion black powder rifle

Welcome to the forum Mesnyder02 from Nebraska. WTG on being a supporting member too. My SIL got into ML about 4 years ago and purchased a Lyman Great Plains rifle. He purchased it at a gun show and has really kicked butt at the shoots with it. TC Hawken is another good starter. Don't dump lots of money into any gun until you really have a better feel on quality and your preferences to styles, caliber, etc.
Flintlocklar

 

[gabedard]

Dixie gun works
Lyman trade rifle
$485

 

[Bearkiller]

I second the Lyman trade rifle. I like mine. I also have 3 Traditions rifles which are good quality but the Lyman is just a better gun for the money.

 

[Dave Marsh]

First welcome to the forum. I started with a TC Renegade. Great rifles and good shooters. Just my opinion. Good luck.

Dave

 

[Phil Coffins]

The Lyman Great Plains rifle has set triggers which will put it ahead of most with it’s other good features. A bit better if you can find a nice one is the Thompson Center Hawkins. Either could be a lifetime rifle.

 

[Roundball2319]

I HAVE TWO T/C RENEGADES AND ONE LYMAN GREAT PLAINS HUNTER. ALL WORK VERY WELL. SOME THINGS TO THINK ABOUT IS WHAT USE IS IT GOING TO BE BUT TO. TARGETS OR HUNTING. WHAT CALIBER YOU MIGHT WANT TO SHOOT AND WHAT PROJECTILE. ROUND BALL OR CONICAL. ITS A VERY ENJOYABLE HOBBY AND I SHOOT MY MUZZLELOADERS MORE THEN ANY RIFLE I OWN.

 

[kje54]

New to Black Powder and this forum but glad to be here! I'm in the market for my first percussion black powder rifle and was curious what folks consider the best bang for the buck in the market? I have looked at Traditions Kentucky and similar brands/models in the $400 - $800 range. I'd like to keep it in that range if possible but if there is a rifle out there at the $1000 to $1200 mark that is twice the quality for the money I would be willing to stretch to that price point. I would use this rifle 80% target shooting and 20% deer hunting if that helps. Thank you for your thoughts and opinions!

Kinda depends on which style you like best, full stock or half stock, more modern adjustable sights or traditional sights, military or civilian type arms.

 

[Mesnyder02]

This is great info from everyone. I really appreciate the help!

 

[deermanok]

The Traditions Kentucky rifle is a good choice. A Kentucky pistol would be a good mate.

 

[BigAl52]

I have custom muzzleloaders and some production muzzleloaders. Im gonna agree with a couple of the other guys Lyman Trade Rifle. Even though I have the custom guns I still like shooting the Lyman Trade rifle. Its a great choice for a first time muzzleloader.

 

[Spikebuck]

It might help to know your stature...meaning are you a big/tall person, or smaller with short arms. Many production guns have pretty long trigger pulls in the 14" range. A few are made with shorter pulls. Some are quite heavy, like the Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken at 10 1/2#, which is an excellent quality choice and probably the best production example of a Hawken, but at the top of your price range, while others, like the Pedersoli Frontier weight almost 4# less than that and are excellent shooters. What kind of drop in the stock do you need considering you'll be shooting open iron sights? My wife had a Traditions Pennsylvania, which was a great shooter and worked for her, but when I threw it up to my shoulder, I was looking way over the sights as it was fairly straight stocked vs having drop in the stock, like a Frontier or others on the market. To make your experience more enjoyable and your shooting better, be sure to consider these things before rushing into a purchase. Also....you may find some excellent used ones out there where you can get higher quality, but at a reduced price over new, but be careful that the bore is bright and clean and the gun was well cared for.

Good luck in your search...

 

[Mesnyder02]

It might help to know your stature...meaning are you a big/tall person, or smaller with short arms. Many production guns have pretty long trigger pulls in the 14" range. A few are made with shorter pulls. Some are quite heavy, like the Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken at 10 1/2#, which is an excellent quality choice and probably the best production example of a Hawken, but at the top of your price range, while others, like the Pedersoli Frontier weight almost 4# less than that and are excellent shooters. What kind of drop in the stock do you need considering you'll be shooting open iron sights? My wife had a Traditions Pennsylvania, which was a great shooter and worked for her, but when I threw it up to my shoulder, I was looking way over the sights as it was fairly straight stocked vs having drop in the stock, like a Frontier or others on the market. To make your experience more enjoyable and your shooting better, be sure to consider these things before rushing into a purchase. Also....you may find some excellent used ones out there where you can get higher quality, but at a reduced price over new, but be careful that the bore is bright and clean and the gun was well cared for.

Good luck in your search...

This makes sense. I'm about 6'1 250lbs with longer arms. I'm guessing I would need something with more of a drop in the stock. Thanks for the insight....good info.

 

[Kansas Jake]

Another suggestion is to see if there is a muzzleloaders group near to you. Most are friendly groups an a members may invite you to try a couple of different guns to see what you like and what fits well. Also many of us have a stash of good used front stuffers and might part with one at a reasonable price.

 

[hanshi]

This makes sense. I'm about 6'1 250lbs with longer arms. I'm guessing I would need something with more of a drop in the stock. Thanks for the insight....good info.

And welcome to The Muzzleloading Forum, Mesnyder02.

 

[mooman76]

Welcome but you still haven't answered what you want it for. Hunting, target or both?

 

[kje54]

Welcome but you still haven't answered what you want it for. Hunting, target or both?

Read the original post. 80% target, 20% hunting.

 

[user 48679]

Welcome to the board, mesnyder2 ! !

You can sometimes get that $1200 rifle for $400-$500 if you consider a used sample in excellent condition (no internal or external rusting, no wood cracks or gouges, et, etc).

Many gunshops have side-hammer percussion rifles that have had a few birthdays while sitting in a sales rack because most younger folks opt for plastic/fantastic inlines - which drives down the prices in those shops.

Take a road trip and check out every funshop you can.

 

[SDSmlf]

New to Black Powder and this forum but glad to be here! I'm in the market for my first percussion black powder rifle and was curious what folks consider the best bang for the buck in the market?

Welcome from North Carolina.

Noticed your profile doesn’t say where you are from. If your general location was known someone on the forum may be nearby and willing to help or possibly send you to a muzzleloading club. Could give you a chance to handle and shoot a muzzleloader or two before putting your money down, as your OP states you are new to blackpowder. Just a thought.