What would you do?..

[1shot]

I made a huge mistake in the local gunshop the other day, handled a Pedersoli Rocky Mountain Hawken... This monster was in .54 and balanced so perfectly! Felt like I could have held it level/aimed on target for days.. Trouble is, its over $1000 Canadian.

So now my workhorse T/C Hawken in .50/1:48 feels like a toy in comparison and I've got the itch!

Do I buy a longer 32" drop-in barrel in .54 and hope it feels/balances better, trade for a Lyman GPR, or wait a year save up and get the Pedersoli?
I only shoot PRB and am 6'4".
The Pedersoli is also a very pretty rifle which I would hate to scratch during the hunting season.

So, what would you do?
(I'm a long time smokeless user/relative newbie to real smoke.)


1Shot

 

[walruskid1]

whip out the plastic and buy it now! you can pay for it over the next year.(just like saving for it over the next year.) if you scratch it at least it was being used for its intended purpose, not a wall hanger. it will be a honest scratch. keep the t/c for the real foul weather hunts. :hmm:

 

[TN.Frank]

At the risk of starting another flame war I'm going to offer my opinion on what I'd do. This is JUST an opinion and should be taken with a grain of salt, as all opinions should be.
I'd try to get a look at the Lyman GPR(which I've seen and I like) and compare it to the Pedersoli that you like. If it feels similar then you can buy it and maybe save yourself a few bucks, if not then see if the store has a lay-a-way plan and have then set it back for you and make payments on it.
That's what I'd do if I was in your boat.

 

[shortjack]

I had the same problem 5 years ago, walking through the gun shop and picked up a Lyman GPR and it fit perfectly like it was part of my body. Ended up buying it and later on sold my TC Hawken because I needed the money, sure miss the TC but I hardly used it after I bought the GPR. So think about trying to hang on to the TC they are good muzzleloaders. I wish I had kept mine and like you I also thought about sticking a longer barrel on it. There is nothing wrong with having both guns if you can financially afford it. I'm just glad that I haven't seen or held a Pedersoli because i would probably end up buying it.

 

[jethro224]

I'd keep the T/C, buy the GPR and whip out the plastic for the Pedersoli.

Probably not the best thing to do, but probably what I would do anyway. :youcrazy:
:shake: I got the bug. :shake:

 

[Brasilikilt]

Now that you know what you want, you can start searching around the different suppliers online for the best price, look around on the gun auction sites and see if you can find a used one....
The bottom line is if you're meant to have it, it will end up in your hands one way or the other.

Ya never know, perhaps you will bump into Hatchet Jack leaning against a tree frozen solid :grin:

 

[Gary]

For $1k, I'd have a gun made for me. Better yet, I'd take a class and learn how to build one myself. But that's just me being cheap. Yep, I'll try to save $250 on a gun but spend $500 or so for a class, $400 for airfare, $150 for car rental, $250 for motel rental, $100 on food just to save $250. Some of us just aren't very bright. :rotf:

 

[bwhoffman]

I just put 32 inches of .40 cal on my TC...changed the whole look and feel of the gun.
Doesnt look like a hawkin as much.

Check with green mountain and see if they list a .54 in 15/16! totw has a pretty extensive listing of the gm barrels, far better than the gm catalog that came with my barrel./ it was $200 well spent

...but the pedersoli IS a nice looking gun!

Brett

 

[renovato]

LOL. Gary, you just described me perfectly!

 

[RC]

"so what would I do? first, I'd sing "merry christmas to me!)then think if'n I like it that what I'm gonna have,then..I'd think well if I can't find it alot cheaper maybe I'll just have one made,I still have the t/c ..I'm not gunlesss..cause if i was gunless i'd get a[url] gun.thendecide[/url] "WHAT I REALLY WANT" if this gun is it, get it! if you're thinkin someday i want a custom,don't get the pedersoli, save/deal/whatever to get what YOU want..there I straightened that out!(you only live once! you can't take it with you!right..can't take it with you..hmmmm, okay leave it to me in your will and you'll have a friend for life.............. :winking:

 

[eph289]

About 10 yr. ago I fell in love with a model 1885 Browing (in 4570g). I'm a prety frugal guy so this was just too much. I told my cousin about this love affair.He asked me, in 5 yrs. would I miss the money or would I be wishing I had bought the rifle. Hope this helps. :grin:

 

[CrackStock]

I have already done what Gary mentioned, but unless you really want to build them, buy the Pedersoli from the internet at the best price that you can find -- after considering shipping and customs fees.

I think that you will be happy with the Pedersoli.

CS

 

[F.G. Ford]

Hey 1Shot,
Have you seen some of the Browning Mountain Rifles
They are available for a very fair price, and are great performers.
I have seen them often for the $500 mark.

Best Regards

Old Ford

 

[CrackStock]

I do not think that the price is all that bad. I am looking at the Gibbs.

CS

 

There's only two reasons to build your own gun, 1- because you want to, and 2 - because you want to become a gunbuilder. Building a gun to save $ is false economy (as gary pointed out). As for the question "what would I do??" easy, if I was serious about shooting ML's and it's not just a fade with me, I'ld keep the TC and start putting money away with plans to buy a good custom and I would expect to pay MINIMUM $3000. Quality over quantity every time. But that's just me.

Cody

 

[tom hargrove]

careful frank , you know you have a forked tounge and spit gasoline :blah: :rotf: :rotf:

 

[whitetrash078]

If it really fits you well enough that it feels like a part of you you should buy it. If I was foolish enough to go into a gun shop ( who me?:bull: :shake: ) I would probably find a way to buy the thing. :thumbsup:

 

[Birddog6]

Why not just save up & then by the time ya have the $ you will know if you Really want the rifle. I have owned over lots of ML's in the past 35 years of messing with them & I can only think of 1 that I wish I had bought. This is not something you cannot buy later, bide your time, put the $ away each payday & get it when you can afford it. You will enjoy the rifle MUCH more that way & feel good knowing you saved & bought it & feel much more gratified.
:hmm:

 

[shmrck1]

1 shot,
For a grand I would have to ask to fire
a used gun(it is used right) a few times. Having
said that I would still go with the GM barrel
in your TC Hawken.
Trust me I know how it is when you go to
a gun shop or gun show and find something you
just have to have, buy it, and later regret it.
My advise, be absolutely sure of what you
want, and what you want is worth $1000 to you.
snake-eyes :hmm:

 

Probably close to 10 years ago, when I was still a "Mountain Man", I upgraded to a custom Hawken from a Lyman GPR and have never regretted it. I miss the GPR and still like them a lot.....but it ain't this custom rifle. I'd say to save up for it then buy it.....but I absolutely detest debt of any kind and credit card debt particularly.

Vic