Traditions Deerhunter - is it worth attempting to improve it?

[NorthFork]

I have not tried REALs in mine but I have tried the PA conical types. Those shot extremely well. However I have shot all the deer I've killed with mine using nothing more than a prb. 100 yard or less easy blood trails.

 

[flntlokr]

Sadly they are screwed in place, otherwise I would have done it already.

I took the screwed-down sight off a TC, filed in a dovetail, and fitted a traditional Hawken sight. The screw hole was hidden under the new sight. I also stripped the bluing and made it brown. Totally changed the character of the gun.

 

[Flinty Scot]

You said you lacked tools and experience working with them. A fairly simple project could supply you with an inexpensive, basic spring clamp, until you can afford a formal one and get you some basic tool time.

Get a file (for metal) and a piece of sheet metal, an 1/8" thick or a bit more (steel works well but a thick piece of brass would be easier for you to work.) long enough to reach across the spring with a good bit extra for strength and about twice as wide as the spring.

File a slot in the piece just wide enough to slip snugly clear across the spring, near it's middle, when the hammer is at half **** (which compresses the spring). It should fit flat against the lock plate.

The idea is to hold the spring compressed just enough to ease it out when asdthe hammer's pressure is released. To refit, just reverse the process. Pulling the hammer back a bit more will further compress the spring so you can remove your "clamp".

It won't help fit a new spring, but you'll be able to take it out to clean or work on the lock, smoothing the contact and rub points, for example. The more you learn about this lock and this gun, the better prepared you'll be to appreciate and add another to your kit, if you choose to.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

I took the screwed-down sight off a TC, filed in a dovetail, and fitted a traditional Hawken sight. The screw hole was hidden under the new sight. I also stripped the bluing and made it brown. Totally changed the character of the gun.

Did you take any pictures of the process at all? Would love to see some "before and after...."

 

[hanshi]

The DeerHunter is an entry-level rifle and a good one at that. If nothing else it does make a good "beater" and "loaner" rifle, but I used mine as my main deer getter for several years. Absolutely drill out the vent liner to at least 1/16". It'll never look like a custom rifle, but I found they shot as accurately as any custom.

 

[LeftHandGuy]

I will give it a try!

 

[sawyer04]

So all that is to say - is it worth trying to make the Traditions rifle into something I really like, or should I just buy something better

Like others say, I would improve it to your liking, or close. I have seen so many spend a hunk of money on a piece, then decided there is something they would rather have. Shame to spend so much, even on a custom weapon and wish it would be a little different here or there.

 

[flntlokr]

I took the screwed-down sight off a TC, filed in a dovetail, and fitted a traditional Hawken sight. The screw hole was hidden under the new sight. I also stripped the bluing and made it brown. Totally changed the character of the gun.

Also, if the front sight has a bead, you may want to file the cheeks off to give a very skinny blade, then the target won't disappear behind the sight. I also disassemble the locks and polish the hell out of rub surfaces. I also stripped the plastic finish, and rubbed in an oil finish. A bit of work, but cheaper than a new gun, and you get the satisfaction of 'customizing to suit yourself. If you have some skills, you could also do a bit os simple (or complex) engraving or carving. For a working gun, I figure that in the 'good ol' days', a lot of carving got done with a jack knife while sitting by a fire. Maybe not great art, but pleasing to the owner. not 'too pretty to shoot'.

 

[Howard Pippin]

So my first flintlock - bought during 2016.

Traditions Deerhunter left handed.

Has the wooden stock, rubber buttpad, Williams Fibreoptic sights, plastic ramrod etc

View attachment 46525
Sorry about the picture - it's the only thing I have with it in and I had to crop-out all the verboten items....

It has some things I like and some I don't

I like the size and weight, and the trigger is OK. I like how easily the barrel can be removed for cleaning. And I really like that it is left handed.

I don't like the anachronisms (rubber, plastic, and especially the sights), and the lock isn't very good.

I didn't realize how bad the lock was until I got lent a friends Miroku Brown Bess. Despite being right in my face, the full size military lock is significantly more reliable (even though my shooting with it might charitably be described as "variable")

So all that is to say - is it worth trying to make the Traditions rifle into something I really like, or should I just buy something better? I particularly would like to change the sights, but they seem to be screwed rather than dovetailed, and I am far from sure I have the ability to cut dovetails of my own....

I too am left-handed and shoot one just like yours, except with a better front sight. I made my own peep sight, that sets just on the barrel and not on the barrel lock and it's a fine shooting rifle. I have had it now for over 15 years and I wouldn't trade it for any of them high roller 1500 dollar rifles. If something would happen to it when I'm out hunting, so be it.I wouldn't have to hold a funeral, and I could sure purchase another. Anymore my main hunting is Turkey targets at a turkey shoot. I hold my own against all of them percussion shooters and the one other flintlock. Sure I had to experiment a little bit, isn't that what we do the best? My flints work best upside down, I case harden my own frizzen,I had to learn how to re-nap a worn Flint, and I probably only get 15 or 20 shots out of a cheap Flint. that's more than I probably shoot at the Turkey shoot, And it doesn't break me up in business to buy a few flints. I drilled my touch hole to a 5/64 bit, And I have no misfires as long as there's sparks.When I was still hunting, I got two deer And one antelope out of three attempts.
Don't let them put you down, I think the darn things work pretty good.
Squint

 

[nkbj]

I just "improve" the touch hole with a round tail file until it works. Powder don't care about round and if you want one to be up or down a little, there you go.

 

[NorthFork]

I too am left-handed and shoot one just like yours, except with a better front sight. I made my own peep sight, that sets just on the barrel and not on the barrel lock and it's a fine shooting rifle. I have had it now for over 15 years and I wouldn't trade it for any of them high roller 1500 dollar rifles. If something would happen to it when I'm out hunting, so be it.I wouldn't have to hold a funeral, and I could sure purchase another. Anymore my main hunting is Turkey targets at a turkey shoot. I hold my own against all of them percussion shooters and the one other flintlock. Sure I had to experiment a little bit, isn't that what we do the best? My flints work best upside down, I case harden my own frizzen,I had to learn how to re-nap a worn Flint, and I probably only get 15 or 20 shots out of a cheap Flint. that's more than I probably shoot at the Turkey shoot, And it doesn't break me up in business to buy a few flints. I drilled my touch hole to a 5/64 bit, And I have no misfires as long as there's sparks.When I was still hunting, I got two deer And one antelope out of three attempts.
Don't let them put you down, I think the darn things work pretty good.
Squint

@LeftHandGuy

See, there's a few of us who really appreciate these little carbines. The Deerhunters are better than most give them credit for.

 

[Walkingeagle]

I bought a Traditions Deerhunter .50 percussion for my kids to use way too many years ago. It had a wood stock and ramrod, but plastic sights and trigger guard. Shot very accurately. I sold it in a time I needed some money to a good friend for his wife. To this day she won’t part with it. DO NOT allow others to tell you what their opinion is of what is important to you!
Now, on that note, my better half shoots a Traditions Hawken Woodsman .50 percussion VERY WELL, and it is a great rifle. Another friend of mine mail ordered the same rifle in flint, and once received found the touch hole drilled below the pan (not even visible). He used a die grinder to lower the pan and got it functioning. Personally I am not a fan of Traditions, they don’t fit me at all and QC is questionable, but it’s not my place to tell others they must have the same beliefs (a turd is a turd, jeeze!).
Walk

 

[NorthFork]

Traditions would of replaced the rifle. Over the years I have had several phone conversations with their customer service. They may market (Ardesa makes them) 'cheap' muzzleloaders, but they do sincerely care about customer satisfaction.

 

[Flint62Smoothie]

It is what it is, it can be tweaked to be more reliable, but the only way to really improve on it, would be to sell it and buy something better!

 

[nkbj]

I'm gonna try tweaking my fifty paper patched for the Traditions Deerhunter scary black rifle.
Like so many of us getting long in the tooth and dimmer eyed, I could appreciate having a compact little fifty cal that'll whack any and everything. Making that 48" twist barrel stand up and dance is gonna be a fun experiment.

 

[michael mcghee]

i like my deerhunter been a good flintlock.. wished it had the wood stock..

 

[Fifty Four]

Allot of people knock the cheaper guns but truth is if it wasn't for those cheap guns, probably half or more (including myself) would like have never gotten into our sport. Where would we be then.

I find it astounding that, in a sport/hobby now comprised mainly of old men, that anyone would look down their noses at someone trying to get started, or continue, with anthing less than a thousand dollar gun. If that Deerhunter works, use it and enjoy the heck out of it. If you want to improve it, go for it. If you want to trade up to something nicer, by all means. We need more people willing to try their hand at this game, at whatever level they are comfortable with.

 

[longcruise]

I find it astounding that, in a sport/hobby now comprised mainly of old men, that anyone would look down their noses at someone trying to get started, or continue, with anthing less than a thousand dollar gun. If that Deerhunter works, use it and enjoy the heck out of it. If you want to improve it, go for it. If you want to trade up to something nicer, by all means. We need more people willing to try their hand at this game, at whatever level they are comfortable with.

Very well said!

 

[michael mcghee]

start with a cva bobcat 50 cal ... like my lyman 54 cal deer stalker..