What's a good beginner gun?

[mjlarocco]

I just got a GA-87 by Gonic Arms for my father-in-law. The company went out of business and I am having a hard time finding ammunition for this gun. I'm wanting to shoot a hollowpoint conical.

Since I am having such a hard time finding ammo for this gun I'm considering buying a muzzleloader to hunt with and target shoot with. What is a good beginner gun to buy. I'm willing to spend between $400-550. This price does not have to include a scope.

I'm also looking for some good scope suggestions. This gun will be used mostly for hunting in Southern Indiana and Central/Southern Ohio.

 

[Norskie]

We'll confine ourselves to traditional sidelock (Okay, underhammers, too) muzzleloaders in answering, since that is the scope of this forum.
The best value for your money in that price range will be a kit. Traditions and Pedersoli come to mind.
Then there is the used gun market.
Reading over the postings here should give you an overview of what's out there and our varied (!) opinions about the different makes and models.
For target and hunting consider the humble round ball. Cheap to shoot, effective on nearly all large game on this continent.
I will point out that if you take up muzzle loading, you will never have to worry about obsolete ammunition again.
Read on and have fun!
Moose

 

[jethro224]

In my opinion a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in .50 or .54 will give you the best bang for the buck and is in your price range.

 

[ryoung14]

The Thompson/Center Renegades and Hawkens are a good choice. The Hawkens go new for around $500. The Renegades are limited production but can be obtained new for about $400 from[url] www.foxridgeoutfitters.com[/url]. After market barrels in several calibers are readily available for these models. Current production is drilled and tapped for a special base that will allow you to mount a scope.

The two guns are quite similar, but the Hawken is fancier and is available with the slimmer 15/16" barrel (in .50 cal.).

They have been around a long time, are proven designs and are backed by the best warranty you could hope for....or at least have been 'til now.

Other good sources for these guns is[url] www.gunbroker.com[/url] and[url] www.auctionarms.com[/url]; not to mention the classified section of this site.
Bob

 

[captaincaveman]

In my opinion a Lyman Great Plains Rifle in .50 or .54 will give you the best bang for the buck and is in your price range.

Go with the GPR. I'm getting one at tax return time. midsouth has them for $357.00[url] http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/item.asp?sku=000156031103[/url] I have a T/C Hawken and it's a great gun. Very good quality and the BEST warrenty ever. That being said the T/C stock just doesn't fit me right, and the GPR fits like a dream. That might not be true for you though. Best thing would be to handle as many as you can and see what fits you

Josh

 

[renovato]

I'd suggest you look at the Lyman, Thompson and Investarms guns. The Investarms guns are the lowest priced of the three and are the same company that makes Lyman. Very good guns all around. I tend to prefer the Investarms Hawken myself. It just fits me right and shoots superbly.

As for the scope, why bother at such short ranges? If you have bad eyes like I do, a peep sight is usually more than enough.