Muzzleloading Rifle?

Nuke_Spook

Nuke_Spook

Joined
Oct 23, 2003
Messages
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I am considering getting a Muzzleloading Rifle and don't know that much about them. Any suggestions for a best bang for your buck percussion rifle? My 12 year old son will probable be shooting it some also, so weight is a consideration. I am relatively familiar with firearms, I am just used to ones that take cartridges.

Thanks for any input,
 
Sorry, I should have specified. Definitely traditional. He is part of FCF (Frontier Camping Fellowship) which is a Rendevous / Buckskinner type environment.

Thanks,
 
Just target shooting or hunting ? NY for example has a minimum of .45 cal for big game .
 
I recommend a Lyman, either the great plains rifle or the deerstalker.

The GPR is a heck of a shooter and usually priced pretty well. In the past, you had to go to a custom built rifle to get better quality. Other companies may have stepped it up a notch now, I haven't looked at any muzzle loaders for a few years.
They also offer a kit for building the GPR. Everything is fit up very well, and it requires very minimal tools to put together and finish. Its a good platform for customizing also if you want to be more detailed. I took this route and have been very happy with my rifle (.54 caplock with slow twist barrel).

I haven't shot the deerstalker, but recommended you check it out because you said its for a 12 year old. If he's not very big it might be a little handier with the 24" barrel and it also has a rubber recoil pad, but maintains a pretty traditional look to it.

I also recommend getting whichever gun you choose in .54 as opposed to .50 or .45. The reason is that ther are all bored from the same size barrel blank, so the .54 is actually a good bit lighter in weight than the .45. Recoil won't be bad if you shoot a patch and ball over 60 or 70 grains of powder, even in the larger caliber.

Here's their website http://www.lymanproducts.com/lymanproducts/rifles.htm
 
This is difficult to advise on, so much depends on what you are willing to spend. Just like knives you have to make the decision whether to go production or custom. A good production rifle like the Blue Ridge from Cabela's is around $500.00, however it looks like a production rifle that everyone else owns and looks like a $500 rifle. In other words it looks fairly traditional but nothing special. Stepping up to custom you can find rifles like the Vincent-Ohio Half Stock Rifle which at $2500.00 looks like it just came out of a maker shop in the early 1800s. It is doubtful you will run into anyone else carrying a rifle that looks exactly like it as each is handmade.

It all depends on just how "traditional" you want to go and what you want to spend. Caliber will make a difference as well. I am fond of the Lyman's Great Plain Rifle but it isn't offered in a caliber smaller than .50 and as was stated for a youth a smaller caliber might be better. You can also buy many of these in kit form, some like the Pedersoli kits available from Dixie Gun Works are of high quality but allow you to use personal touches when finishing to make it look more authentic. Bear in mind however you don't save money with a kit...you buy one for the pleasure of finishing it yourself and it can make for a great father/son project.

You might consider joining the forum at the Traditional Muzzleloaders Association and talk to folks there...
http://www.traditionalmuzzleloadingassociation.com/
 
I really like the thompson center line of blackpowder rifles{traditional}, great workmanship and an exc warranty. my son had a cva a few years back and it shot really well and was very inexpensive. as far as caliber i'd go with .50 as it can be used for larger game. It's a really enjoyable sport and not very expensive. good luck.
 
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