What to avoid

[jamieorr]

For some reason my computer keeps changing the link - microsoft "correcting" me I guess. It should be:

www(dot)muzzle-loaders(dot)com

I hope that works, don't forget the hyphen or you go somewhere else. It's a mail order shop in eastern Oregon, just close your eyes as you scroll past the in-lines.

Gunworks is good too, I bought a bunch of stuff there in person, but I'd already got the gun.

Jamie

 

[will5a1]

Eric - If you are considering the GPR please keep in mind that the adjustable rear sight on the GPR will seem like junk to you after using the excellent rear sights on a NM M14/M1 or AR platform, use the fixed rear sight (GPR's come from the factory with both rears, or at least use to) or buy a Lyman 57 if you will be shooting in the sort of line matches that permit it.

For what its worth a Tingle is supposed to be a great offhand rifle, and you might find one or two on the big auction site.

 

[bob308]

as long as you don't have something move the sights. you can change barrels and never have to resight the barrel. I go from .50 to .40 on my gpr all the time.

 

[don hepler]

There are Pro's and Con's to both factory and custom built rifles. A Factory rifle, is usually cheaper, but a custom rifle (If built right)is such a pride to own. Since you are new to BP but are very much into shooting, let me ask you this.
Would you be happier with a 10/22 or a Kimber? I have TC's and they are very nice rifles, but my custom rifles are my pride and joy. Custom guns are not always 2000. I have found nice custom guns used, for under 1000. Just something to think about. But truth is, once you start into BP you'll want more than one gun anyway.

 

[rodwha]

As a first rifle with the main reason being hunting I'd prefer a good rifle that I wouldn't cry too much about when it gets scratched up from woods use. It can always become a loaner rifle if/when the interest grows.

 

[Spikebuck]

.54 cal can't be beat.

:thumbsup:

I've owned and shot all the "standard" calibers from .32 to .62. Being primarily a hunter, I believe the .54 to be about as good all around as one can get. If I were looking for an "all-around" rifle, and especially with bear on the menu, but even large whitetails, it's hard to beat.

 

[ZUG]

I will chime in here also with the .54 for hunting especialy the bear part. Big for target work but it's a start. If you decied to get into target work than either a .45 or .40 will do well. Maybe I would go with the .40 since you will have the .54 already :thumbsup: .

 

[coloradoclyde]

Lets look at the advantages of a .45 compared to a .54
A .45
Has less recoil (This means it is more enjoyable to shoot over time)
Is more economical to shoot (this means you can shoot more for the same money)
A .45 works great on deer and small game ( this equates to more hunting opportunities)
a .45 is the better choice for targets, (yes this is just my opinion)
______________________________________________________________________________
Now lets look at the .54
Ummm......Ummmmm....
It has more whompability.... :grin: ..... (but I have never seen a deer live that was shot through the heart regardless of the size of the projectile it was shot with)

Most of us own more than one muzzleloader.....now you know why.
As you gain experience with muzzleloaders your preferences will probably change.

 

[crockett]

KY Eric- you didn't say if you were going to use a patched round ball or conical. If conical a 50 is likely best- easier to find conicals at the retail level. If all you want to shoot is PRB, lots of folks like the 54.

 

[Rifleman1776]

.45 is plenty adequate for deer up to 100 yards. And, this being a game using antique/obsolete style firearms, you shouldn't be trying to take game at greater ranges than that. For bigger game, do go with larger caliber. Yer choice. Keep in mind they take more (hard to find and expensive) lead and powder.

 

[Flash Pan Dan]

I built a Lyman GPR kit in 50 and them later found a 54 barrel for it. It took very minor fitting and now both shoot fantastic. Since I only use the non-adjustable sight on both I couldn't resight if I want to. But then again I've never needed to.

One thing to remember in the ML world most competitions are geared to using your common hunting rifle. It is only went you get into highly specialized competitions that you need a "target" rifle.

 

[KYEric]

PRB. If I wanted to hunt with conical I would just stick with a cartridge gun.

Bud's gun shop here in Ky has the Lyman GPR in .54 for $509.
http://www.budsgunshop.com/catalog...031103_great_plains_rifle_percussion_54cal_32

 

[KYEric]

Thanks everyone for the info. Looking for a custom gun first but if that falls through I will buy the Lyman.

 

[Rick Boylan]

Amen Brudder. :hatsoff:

 

[greybeard50]

Not much to offer as to cal/length/etc. However, as a CMP shooter, you will be more comfortable with stock architecture that allows shooting from the shoulder pocket. The radically curved buttplates are simply not compatible with your shooting history.

ML shotgun/fowler stock architecture is closer to modern rifle. Be sure to visit a gathering to shoulder many types before writing the check.

Check the curve of the GPR buttplate...

Then go to Track of the Wolf (http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Categories/GunKit.aspx/614/1/KIT-ENGLISH-SPORTING-JAEGER-SWAMP)

Richard

 

[coloradoclyde]

One other thing I would like to add for the novices....
Keep in mind you may not like your first style of gun...I own long rifles, hawken style guns and everything in between...and I much prefer a long rifle.
Some prefer shorter guns ....

The style of a gun often garners my favoritism more than caliber.

 

[Jim C]

I shot the only deer I've ever killed with a ML with my GPR, 50 cal, PRB of course. He dressed out at 152 lbs. I put a ball through both lungs with a broad side shot at about 30 yds, he never even flinched or looked up, just kept right on eating. I thought I completely missed him, then he started coughing, went down on his knees then laid down on his side and it was all over. I'd much rather squirrel hunt. A squirrels head at a hundred feet or so is a challenging target, and I won't have a heart attack dragging them out of the woods!

 

[Col. Batguano]

They don't get talked about a great deal here, but an English Sporting Rifle is an ergonomically VERY good (sporter) design, and closest to modern guns when it comes to how it fits.

If you're talking a dedicated target range gun, the ergonomics of the various mid century European Schutzens lend themselves very well to offhand shooting. that's another design that doesn't get much play here.

In both of the above we're talking utility and functionality of shooting value, not the intangible of style and bragging value.

 

[coloradoclyde]

I'd much rather squirrel hunt. A squirrels head at a hundred feet or so is a challenging target, and I won't have a heart attack dragging them out of the woods!

:thumbsup: The seasons longer, the weather can be warmer, and ya get a whole lot more shootin in.
:thumbsup:

 

[Jim C]

You betcha!