Which one would you get?

[Adui]

The Hawken Woodsman is a fancy looker, but it has a single trigger.

Really?? Mine came with a double set trigger right out of the box? When did they make this change? Actually, every time I look one up (Traditions of course) it has a double set trigger..

 

[newtewsmoke]

can't comment on the traditions rifles but can say that a lyman trade rifle would be worth looking at for ya also and probly close in price to the traditions guns yer lookin at, also agree that lyman GPR is a fine rifle but taking your chances if ordering as to what kind of a finished rifle (quality) you will recieve.

 

[dledinger]

I, personally, would choose the hawken woodsman, though I have no experience with either. The two piece stock of the Kentucky is a huge turnoff for me.

 

[JohnShuster]

I have a percussion Woodsman. It is accurate with patched ball, saboted pistol bullets and Hornady Great Plains conicals. Good rifle at a fair price. :thumbsup:

 

[George T.]

There is a GPR cap lock 50 in our ad section with an extra barrel for 300. Man that is a deal. Later send off the old barrel to be made a 54 and you will be in great shape.

Geo. T.

 

[AZbpBurner]

The Hawken Woodsman is a fancy looker, but it has a single trigger.

Really?? Mine came with a double set trigger right out of the box? When did they make this change? Actually, every time I look one up (Traditions of course) it has a double set trigger..

My bad. Looked like a single trigger in the original pic, but rereading the description, I see the set trigger mentioned in the specs.

You shoot over at Rio Salado?

 

[Lonegun1894]

I would also recommend the GPR IF it fits you, but a Lyman Trade Rifle is about the same cost of either of those and higher quality. Don't get me wrong, my first ML was a CVA St. Louis Hawken percussion that I still have, and it shoots as well as my GPRs do, but the GPRs just fit me much better. May also want to look at TC hawkens also. They and the Traditions hawken and the Lyman Trade Rifle have almost identical architecture so they feel about the same, but I would trust Lyman or TC over Traditions if it was me. And the Lyman gives you the choice of .50 or .54, should a hunt for bigger game like elk be in your hopes and dreams some day. I do NOT have a gun with the two piece stock, but shouldered one a few years ago and it just seemed to have a shorter length of pull than my rifles, so I didn't buy it. I don't know if that rifle had been shortened or not, so if at all possible, go out and shoulder as many guns as possible and buy whichever fits you the best--regardless of what name it has stamped on the side. Only you have to be happy with your rifle, so choose accordingly. :thumbsup:

 

[Carl Fowler III]

Of the 2 choices I would buy the Woodsman Hawken...a friend has one in a .50 and I must say it shoots and handles superbly, balances well in hand and very accurate! Never liked that 2 pc stock on the Kentucky and beware of the high combed stock on this model...it tends to nail your cheek bone! Woodsman- :thumbsup: ...Kentucky- :td: (at least not until yea shoulder it for fit). :v

 

[Adui]

You shoot over at Rio Salado?

When I can afford to shoot LOL!. I actually joined the ML club there for a couple weekenders, but being unemployed even having the powder and shot don't mean I have the range fee (as low as it is) or the gas to go.. Sort of why I've been a little scarce on the forum lately.

 

[Black Jack]

Sticking to your original question, I would buy the Woodsman if it has double set triggers. Aside from other differences, the set triggers indicate that it has the better quality Traditions lock with a bridle to better support the internal parts. The Kentucky model, although not a bad little rifle, carries the lower quality lock without an internal bridle.
Just to confuse things a little more, you might also consider the Lyman Trade Rifle. Similar in appearance to the Woodsman, and available in .54 cal., it is a high quality rifle, bridled lock in spite of being single trigger (which I actually like better for hunting) and is priced significantly less than the GPR. Can be purchased online for very reasonable price at Midsouth Shooters Supply, D&R Sports in Pa., or other similar. I have both and use the GPR, with its longer barrel, mostly for paper punching and occasional hunting. Woodsman, GPR or Trade Rifle, enjoy shooting!

 

[Undead246]

After all thats been said, I'm most likely going to get the Hawkens Woodman, but unfortunately I won't be able to order it until the middle-end of September. Thank you all for your input.

 

[Black Jack]

If you intend to order online, you might check the Midsouth website.
http://www.midsouthshooterssupply.com/

They carry most of the ones discussed here.

 

Built my GPR, Lucifer, back in 1982. Has been my companion on many a foray into the woods of Louisiana and New England.