What Should I Get?

[The Baron]

Hi everyone! I'll try to keep it short, but I'm notoriously long winded so that's difficult. I only recently got into muzzleloading using an 1830's vintage percussion fowler, of about 11ga. (Bess wads, etc. fit perfectly). The gun is fun and I am loving my newfound interest! I would like to get a flintlock smoothbore, but am overwhelmed by the options. It may come to me having to order from the US, but I see that Loyalist Arms also has some great stuff. I'd be interested to hear any input on my options. I have access to Pedersoli Bess's locally (either musket or carbine version) or perhaps a Pedersoli Trade gun but have been told that, for the $1,200 dollars Canadian it will cost, I can do much better than a Pedersoli? Also, if I buy a Pedersoli Bess I'd have to brown it, as I don't think a gun in the white would be a good idea for turkey hunting (too visible, I would think).

I am not involved in re-enactments, but would still like the gun to be authentically styled. So, my intended use is mostly for hunting wild turkeys, so I want to throw a decent charge of shot. I would use the gun for other small game and ducks/geese and would also want to shoot ball for target and/or very close range deer hunting. I'm not really a deer hunter at all, but you never know (maybe with a flinter, I'll be interested again?) I like the thought of a Bess or fusil type, but would also be happy with a .62 fowler, as long as that's enough medicine for turkeys? Any info on sources of used guns would be much appreciated also, as I'd like to keep cost as reasonable as I can. In hungry for opinions, recommendations, things to avoid, etc. Thanks in advance!

 

you have a private message- click on the flag flashing at your name.
: I'm certain any and all will be happy to help you out, right here. That's what the site is for.
: About Loyalist - some are happy - some aren't. Seems about normal. Their gun-smithing may leave something to question & be wanting in quality, at least with wheellocks. Their muskets look pretty good in pictures, are said to look good in person and have lighter weight barrels than those at www.military[url] heritage.com[/url]. The barrels on the muskets at military heritage are more in line with the originals that were copied by the mfg'r in India. Same country of mfg'r as those of Loyalist.
: Personally, I'll be purchasing a musket from the Ontario outfit, rather than the East Coast. The price is better, quality appears to be just fine in pictures as well as lews hassel about shipping the musket as it is deemed nonfiring by the governement. Flintlocks don't have to be registered here in Canada, but many officials/plolice/private shippers don't know that and trouble is headed towards buying from Loyalist for we Canadians. Loyalist also is charging too much above the US price, penalizing us for living in their own country- strikes me hard- that does. Shipping is $30.00 from MilHeritage unless you could pick it up, something I might be inclined to do, personally. Nice drive, I'd think.
Daryl

 

[musketman]

Baron:
"What Should I Get?" Says you...

Just to be on the safe side, order one of each... :winking:

Since you like several types, look at weight as the deciding factor...

Long barreled guns tend to weigh more and may not throw shot as well as a shorter length musket of the same caliber...

If a .62 caliber will sling 1 1/4 ounce shot as well as a .75 caliber, then you may want the one that will do the job more economically, as real black powder is getting harder to find in some areas...