Traditions is the "Harbor Freight Tools" of Muzzleloading?

[Archer 756]

Like eating Main Lobster to Craw Fish

 

[Newtire]

If it was not for Lee, lots of folks would not have molds.

Many of us of “advanced yearage” probably got their start using the old Lee whackamole tools. Sometimes, a budget tool is the only way a person can afford to get their foot in the door. Lee molds are some of the best kept secrets out there. Of the more economically priced guns, Traditions are among the best. I’ll also jump onto the great barrel bandwagon. A few of the Harbor Freight tools aren’t worth their salt but not all are bad. Just like guns I suppose. I love my little Crockett rifle. Once I was told how to fix my hammer to make it fire, it is among my most dependable muzzleloaders. With sites like this one to help us out, we have the means to take care of most shortcomings the cheaper priced guns like Traditions may have.

 

[Graybeard2A]

I like Traditions and Harbor Freight. This gun will shoot cloverleaf groups at 50 yards and didn’t break the bank.View attachment 128729

AMEN!!!

 

[Loyalist Dave]

...,
Buy what you can afford-Beware the man with one gun

I won a lot of matches with a CVA Hunter Hawken

This is a very old topic, and the below quote supports the above quote:

There is no room to discuss the topic of hunting rifles. Get the best that you can, of course ; but do not worship it. Bear in mind that, whatever its trajectory and smashing quality, it is only a gun, and can kill nothing that you miss with it. When you get into the real wilderness far away from rich men's preserves and summer hotels, you will find there some mighty hunters who make mighty kills with guns that would bring only the price of scrap iron in New York
Kephart, Camping and Woodcraft 1917

So..., also we see from this quote from more than a century ago, that what we observe today has for a long time been the case with firearms, factory made or custom made. The results were the same back then too. Some guys were using inexpensive rifles (which some would call scrap, [junk]), but they were still successful.

I also see custom rifles sold with VERY BADLY shaped lock mortises, and I can tell just by a glance that the builder bought a pre-shaped stock, which was made to take a specific lock..., BUT has extra wood left upon it to allow the builder to use a lock different than the specific lock for which the stock was made. So the right lock is used but the extra wood is left behind, and that is plain wrong...., yet they go for $$$ on Track of The Wolf in such condition....

"You get what you pay for," well..., for what are you paying? Accuracy and reliability? Durability too? Portability? OR...,Are we also paying for aesthetics? OH I love a well made rifle or gun, and I love a piece of embellished art that also shoots, but I don't disparage the guy with the used CVA or the same rifle new from Traditions.... after all that guy might invite me to hunt on his land and might share some venison with me one day.... I don't think the deer know the difference with a round ball launched from a .54 CVA or one from my Cabin Creek rifle...

LD

 

[59sharps]

Never knock a person for the gun they shoot…

Yea they my just out shoot and embarrass you!

 

[SPQR70AD]

Ive worked with a lot of custom built guns and what I've learned.... buyer beware! A lot of hidden mistakes, cracks, chips, triggers shoved up into lock sears. I personally wouldn't touch custom made unless I was able to disassemble it and look it over close. I had the pleasure of fixing these guns and they were all well know builders.

seems like some custom gun makers loot the customers

 

[SPQR70AD]

All the way to a Chinese Communist Bank

funny that the Chinese never spent 6 trillion bailing out their banks like the US did twice.

 

[mmb617]

I bought a Traditions Deerhunter last year , knowing absolutely nothing about BP shooting. I got it for under $300 shipped . Zero complaints and happy as can be. I'm hooked now, currently working on a Traditions Kentucky rifle flintlock kit. If such a low price option wasn't available I would have never got into the sport.

Sounds like we have a lot in common. A Deerhunter was my first black powder gun. I've also since built a Kentucky rifle kit gun. I currently own 5 flintlocks and all are Traditions. I have a Trapper pistol, and besides the Deerhunter and Kentucky I also have a Hawken and Mountain rifle. That gives me rifles with 24, 28, 32, and 32.5 inch barrels, two have single triggers while two rifles and the pistol have double triggers. That's enough variety for me. I shoot all of them frequently and have no desire to "move up" to any high end guns.

 

[Dale Lilly]

Like eating Main Lobster to Craw Fish

I don't like lobster, but I love Crawfish ... whazzup wid dat?

 

[Johnny Tremain]

overall quality is best described as cheap.

Now your gonna make all the fan boyz cry.

Third world built guns will never be the same quality as one you make yourself.

Some of the parts may be made the same way.
But the ones that know how to use those machines is whom I buy from.

Lets see any of those locks stand up to a Chambers of L&R lock.

 

[Whughett]

It’s my opinion that only a few shooters are better shooters than the gun they shoot.

 

[N.Y. Yankee]

From what I have seen, I'd rather have a traditions gun than a CVA. Just sayin.

 

[vintovka]

Not familiar with traditions locks- Are they made with or without a bridle? Seem to me that is the real weak spot for long term use. Older CVAs with both bridle and fly seem the better of the low end locks.

 

[N.Y. Yankee]

Did we mention that some people cant afford more expensive guns?! HMM? I think it bears repeating. I was one of them. CVA AND Traditions are responsible for getting a ton of folks into shooting black powder.

 

[Whughett]

I don't like lobster, but I love Crawfish ... whazzup wid dat?

Must be what the mudbugs eat, their no salt diet maybe!

 

[Eric Krewson]

I had a very dedicated bow making student in my shop years ago that had Asperger's syndrome, he had a few challenges but concentration and dedication to hard work were not issues for him, he might have been my best student so far.

I was able to touch bases with him last week at his grandfathers 80th birthday party, I showed him pictures of my latest rifle builds and he was hooked. He is now married, of modest means and expressed an interest in building a rifle himself, I will either direct him to a Traditions kit or just give him one if I can find one at good deal, he is my distant nephew by marriage.

I have been pondering on how to disperse my B/P rifles after I am gone, I want them to be used and appreciated, I hadn't thought of Alex but I am sure now he will get one with all the necessary accoutrements that go with it. He is an accomplished deer hunter and mentioned he has a little bit of flintlock experience.

 

[mooman76]

I always thought traditions is CVA's brand?

Different brand but same manufacturer.

 

[vintovka]

Different brand but same manufacturer.

I thought so. Thanks!

 

[vintovka]

Did we mention that some people cant afford more expensive guns?! HMM? I think it bears repeating. I was one of them. CVA AND Traditions are responsible for getting a ton of folks into shooting black powder.

I'll bet everything may be unaffordable soon (if not already).

 

[Frontier's]

Different brand but same manufacturer.

Ardesa makes traditions.

Dikar, makes cva.