I am looking at three pistols to buy in 50 cal percussion and would like to know which would be more accurate at the target range. My only muzzleloading experience is with a CVA 50 cal. percussion Hawken rifle I own. The rifle is quite accurate but I have never fired a muzzleloading pistol. I am considering the Traditions Trapper and Kentucky pistol and the Lyman Plains pistol.
Which Pistol to Buy
- Thread starter Seavey
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Can you better define/explain what your expectations are of "accurate at the target range".
It would be easier to give answers to your selection of pistols or some that might be better suited.
If you are looking at target accuracy on the pistol range, most pistol shooters do not use a 50 cal., they 45 or less.
RDE
It would be easier to give answers to your selection of pistols or some that might be better suited.
If you are looking at target accuracy on the pistol range, most pistol shooters do not use a 50 cal., they 45 or less.
RDE
Thank you for your reply Richard. To elaborate I am a casual not a competitive shooter. I recently started going to the target range as a retirement activity after dusting off my old CVA rifle and find it fun and relaxing. Also all my accessories are for a 50 cal. muzzleloader. All three are affordable.
Marshall
Marshall
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I have a traditions .50 cal ,it is a decent pistol for the money,it was a kit seems to be fairly accurate at the range for a pass time gun.its not a tack driver you,ll want a smaller cal. for that.Jim
I believe poordevil sums things up nicely.
If serious paper punching was the goal, I had other thoughts, for fun and frivoity, your answer is found, have fun.
Enjoy your retirement, have you ever seen a tombsone which said, "I wish I had spent more time at work?"
RDE
If serious paper punching was the goal, I had other thoughts, for fun and frivoity, your answer is found, have fun.
Enjoy your retirement, have you ever seen a tombsone which said, "I wish I had spent more time at work?"
RDE
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I can't speak for the Lyman but my Trapper 50 cal. percussion is plenty accurate and comfortable.
Congrats on your retirement. My wife and I will be retiring next June and I'm already making plans for more shooting. And I was smart enough to find a 40 cal. percusion rifle and a 50 cal. flinter that fit her small frame. :grin: Add the Uberti 1860 Colt Army and she's set to go. :thumbsup:
Jeff
Congrats on your retirement. My wife and I will be retiring next June and I'm already making plans for more shooting. And I was smart enough to find a 40 cal. percusion rifle and a 50 cal. flinter that fit her small frame. :grin: Add the Uberti 1860 Colt Army and she's set to go. :thumbsup:
Jeff
I have the Trapper and a Lyman Plains Pistol in .54. The Lyman seems to be better built, but I've had no trouble at all with the Trapper. In fact, it's the more accurate of the two. It's also easier to shoot well with and the trigger, once adjusted, is a dream.
rafterob
62 Cal.
IF I hold real well, my Traditions .50cal Kentucky will hit bulls at 25 and 50 yards. The whole holding a pistol still and on target doesn't exactly work for me all the time though. It is very accurate and I think you would be happy with one. It is great fun to shoot.
I have the Trapper as well as a few others. The Trapper is my #2 gun, with the Wm.Parker being #1.
The trapper, after you figure out how to hold it, shoots great!
Get it sighted in and scribe a light reference mark so you can put the sight back where it needs to be. They are inherently loose.
I have found light loads to be the most accurate for me, shooting a .492 ball and a .015 patch (both actual measurements) with olive oil lube and 12 to 15 gr. 3F goex, gives my repeatable accuracy out to 35 yds that will group in the 3 inch range all the time.
Again, I will emphasize finding the right grip for you and reference marking the rear sight!
For the money, I feel they are a good gun for the money.
The trapper, after you figure out how to hold it, shoots great!
Get it sighted in and scribe a light reference mark so you can put the sight back where it needs to be. They are inherently loose.
I have found light loads to be the most accurate for me, shooting a .492 ball and a .015 patch (both actual measurements) with olive oil lube and 12 to 15 gr. 3F goex, gives my repeatable accuracy out to 35 yds that will group in the 3 inch range all the time.
Again, I will emphasize finding the right grip for you and reference marking the rear sight!
For the money, I feel they are a good gun for the money.
cowpoke1955
58 Cal.
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When I was shooting competition, my first pistol was an old .45 CVA Kentucky that came in parts and stuck in a sock. I paid $25, including the sock. I had to fit and polish most of the parts. The man who sold it to me bought a new .45 T/C Patriot. I went to a match the following month and out shot that guy with his old pistol. That old CVA is very accurate with a .440 ball, pillow ticking patch and 20 grains of FFFg Goex. I've always wanted to get a .54 Great Plains Pistol to go with my GPRs. I hope you enjoy retirement. I retired from the State of California three years ago. There is no better way to spend time than with a good muzzle loader, black powder and grey smoke :thumbsup:
William Parker. I bought mine a year and a half ago. Started with loads suggested by "Brett Sr." on this forum. First competition with it I won first place in 25 yd, 50 yd, and aggregate champion in VMLRA Virginia Off-hand Championships. The finish on the barrel makes it almost indestructable, too -- almost like having stainless steel (which it's not). The price is somewhat in line with the others you mention. The Trapper feels very odd in hand if you're not used to it; the Parker doesn't.
Thanks for all your helpful advice and suggestions. I am going to get either the Traditions Trapper because it seems to have the edge in accuracy or the Lyman Plains pistol because I covet the Lyman Great Plains rifle as my next long gun. Thanks for pointing out the virtues of the William Parker. If I enjoy the pistol that would seem to be a desirable step up in accuracy and quality for a second pistol.
Marshall
Marshall
Thanks to Brett.sr and Scott.B for your recommendation of the William Parker. I showed my wife pictures of all the pistols I was considering and she told me to get the William Parker even though it was a little more expensive. She said I always try to go "cheap" and you get what you pay for. I gotta love that women so I ordered the William Parker this morning.
Marshall
Marshall
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Very Nice choice !!! & YOU SURE ARE LUCKY to have have a wife that agrees with you!
I tried to purchase the pistol from the Sportsman's Guide but they don't ship it to California. Must be a store policy because you can legally purchase black powder muzzle loaders out of state here for the time being. I bought my William Parker from Northern Rifleman for $315. Not a bad price in my opinion.
Marshall
Marshall
I believe you and your wife made a great choice. I think you'll be really happy with it. Now you get the fun of working out a load for it! I've tried both .490's and 495's with various patches and it makes a difference (495's with a .015" Ox Yoke pre-lube patch work well for me). You sure can get a sweet trigger adjustment with it, too.
And your wife's siter's phone number is?????
And your wife's siter's phone number is?????
