first let me say im new to the blackpwder world. im not a big fan of the new era inline muzzleloaders. seems to defeat the purpose!? Ive always liked the look of jeremiah johnsons hawkens 50.cal. i was wondering what you veterans thought of the cabelas remake. i think theyre fairly cheap in price and i like the idea of casting my own ammo. i like the reliability of percusion caps but i think i prefere the simplicity of a flash pan!? like i said.... im new at this....sort me out boys!!
thinkin bout buyin a hawkens!!!!
- Thread starter dog slayer
- Start date
bdft
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
If you're just starting out, go with a percussion gun. A lot easier to get used to. Flintlocks aren't that difficult to shoot either but they require a little bit more knowledge. Don't worry about the make of the gun too much to start out. They all go boom just fine. I would think that by now there aren't any unsafe guns out there anymore. Lyman, Thompson Center, Pedersoli, even CVA. It all come down to how much money you want to spend and the fit and finish of the gun. Once you get into it you can always sell your cheap one to somebody else starting out and buy a fancier one.
Check out Marstar, Dixie Gunworks and Track of the Wolf to get an idea of what's available. You might be surprised.
Check out Marstar, Dixie Gunworks and Track of the Wolf to get an idea of what's available. You might be surprised.
If you do decide to go with a flintlock, you should consider one of the better quality models to avoid the frustration involved with some of the cheap flintocks.
If I was buying a flinter for the first time I would go no less than a Lyman or a Thompson Center. For a flintlock long gun you do not need to register it, and bringing one from the US is not a problem.
If I was buying a flinter for the first time I would go no less than a Lyman or a Thompson Center. For a flintlock long gun you do not need to register it, and bringing one from the US is not a problem.
im not lookin to spend alot on my hawkens. just want somethin entry level to round out my practical hunting gun collection. id like to try my luck at coyotes with it and take advantage of some of the muzzleloader seasons. and casting my own bals would be pretty sweet too!
When it comes to flintlocks, the lock is everything. Cheap locks are not worth crap. Buy one with a good lock or buy a cheap one and replace the lock with a good lock. Otherwise you are just asking for frustration. Also avoid spanish made rifles or at least the ones with the flint liner screwing into a bushing. Also recognize that there are a number of US import firms with their names on guns which are actually marketing foreign made guns
cheers mooncoon
- Location
- West coast of Vancouver Island
T/C Hawkens are a good value that hold their value.
Whatever you do...don't buy a "spaghetti hawken rocklock"...aka. Italian made flintlock...you will get frustrated and be tempted to throw the thing downrange intsead of trying to shoot it. You would have better luck throwing them to be honest.
Get your feet wet...not your powder...with a percussion first then look into a properly built custom gun flintlock. Specify either a Siler or an L&R lock (make sure the L&R does not have the roller on the frizzen spring, they aer a pain). In the old days There was a fellow form BC who made top flight guns...Robinson Arms if I remember right. They used L&R locks which were quite good, though the flintlock was the roller type aforementioned.
Enjoy the sport first then dive into the "neat" stuff.
Cheers
Get your feet wet...not your powder...with a percussion first then look into a properly built custom gun flintlock. Specify either a Siler or an L&R lock (make sure the L&R does not have the roller on the frizzen spring, they aer a pain). In the old days There was a fellow form BC who made top flight guns...Robinson Arms if I remember right. They used L&R locks which were quite good, though the flintlock was the roller type aforementioned.
Enjoy the sport first then dive into the "neat" stuff.
Cheers
Go percussion to start....then do some research on different manufacturer's models. How much are u willing to spend?
You can pick up a used off the EE here too. I just bought a CVA Hawken b4 X-mas from a fellow CGN
and she shoots awesome with Goex ffg,fffg and Pyrodex RS using prb (patch round ball). I also just ordered me a Lyman GPR kit in .54cal. That should be a hoot to build and shoot!
Good luck with your choice
You can pick up a used off the EE here too. I just bought a CVA Hawken b4 X-mas from a fellow CGN
and she shoots awesome with Goex ffg,fffg and Pyrodex RS using prb (patch round ball). I also just ordered me a Lyman GPR kit in .54cal. That should be a hoot to build and shoot!
Good luck with your choice
Black Powder Choices
I agree with the other gentleman that gave you advice about a new Hawken.
I strongly advise a beginner to go percussion before buying a flint. I started out with a Lyman Great Plains as my first BP gun and ended up with a Pedersoli Tryon. Some of the flints as mentioned are not that great. Mainly because of the poor hardening of frizzens, I had a Pedersoli Bess that had a soft frizzen and didn’t work well. Had to take it to a gun smith to get it to work right. If I didn't get help from some experienced BP shooters I might have given up the sport.
I agree with the other gentleman that gave you advice about a new Hawken.
I strongly advise a beginner to go percussion before buying a flint. I started out with a Lyman Great Plains as my first BP gun and ended up with a Pedersoli Tryon. Some of the flints as mentioned are not that great. Mainly because of the poor hardening of frizzens, I had a Pedersoli Bess that had a soft frizzen and didn’t work well. Had to take it to a gun smith to get it to work right. If I didn't get help from some experienced BP shooters I might have given up the sport.
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Nobody beats TC's warranty IMO Free parts for life even if you arn't the original owner.They gave me two altered hammers for scoping a Renegade and a Hawken.I know it's not traditional but My eyes aged and I need a scope for hunting............Harold A Green MT barrel for ball 1-70 twist is a nice custom option and they shoot darned near MOA at 75 yards.I introduced a mulie buck to my .54 last fall
Shelldrake
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Right behind you,,
If you want one that has authentic Hawken lines, then the Lyman Great Plains Rifle would be a great choice. These are readily available across Canada, and are avail in percussion or flint, and in .50 or .54.
While the TC is a fine rifle, the only Hawken thing about it is the name.
While the TC is a fine rifle, the only Hawken thing about it is the name.
