BP hunting rifle
- Thread starter ratherbefishin
- Start date
Wow, I think you are going to get alot of varied reponses to such vague questions!!
But for me, reliability is the MOST important thing in a BP hunting rifle, or any hunting rifle for that matter. With that in mind, you need one that completely seals the primer from external conditions like wind and rain. The Omega and the Encore really seal off the primers so that is one less thing to worry about for me.
As a test, this year I loaded up my Omega on opening morning, and did not unload it until I fired it at a buck five days later. The gun went though everything except snow. It was stored outside at night, and got wet during one particularly intense downfall. The gun fired flawlessly.
I also thin the ability to fire hot magnum loads is an advantage as well. The two guns mentioned above can shoot 150gr of powder, something I would be wary to try in other "magnum" ML'ers.
The only other thing, stay away from Knight's and all their gimmicky systems. I suppose their copy of the Omega, the Revolution is alright, but all of those DISC systems are just one more thing to lose or go wrong. There are already people searching on the exchange forums for places who stock these "discs". How many will be available in 10 or 20 years is anyones guess.
I've handled quite a few ML's over the past few years, and I have to say that for the most part, I have always been impressed with the T/C's. They are built superbly. I wish I could say the same for other brands, but I can't.
But for me, reliability is the MOST important thing in a BP hunting rifle, or any hunting rifle for that matter. With that in mind, you need one that completely seals the primer from external conditions like wind and rain. The Omega and the Encore really seal off the primers so that is one less thing to worry about for me.
As a test, this year I loaded up my Omega on opening morning, and did not unload it until I fired it at a buck five days later. The gun went though everything except snow. It was stored outside at night, and got wet during one particularly intense downfall. The gun fired flawlessly.
I also thin the ability to fire hot magnum loads is an advantage as well. The two guns mentioned above can shoot 150gr of powder, something I would be wary to try in other "magnum" ML'ers.
The only other thing, stay away from Knight's and all their gimmicky systems. I suppose their copy of the Omega, the Revolution is alright, but all of those DISC systems are just one more thing to lose or go wrong. There are already people searching on the exchange forums for places who stock these "discs". How many will be available in 10 or 20 years is anyones guess.
I've handled quite a few ML's over the past few years, and I have to say that for the most part, I have always been impressed with the T/C's. They are built superbly. I wish I could say the same for other brands, but I can't.
A Flintlock with rifled bbl is a good choice as it does not require registration and if used properly will be essentially equal to a percussion rifle in performance.
As for "sealing the priming system from weather", that isn't hard to do with most systems. Many people using percussion caps seal them by dribbling molten wax around the primer. It will stay weather proof until you fire the gun, but like all muzzle-loaders, firing is a single shot affair so no worries about the follow up shot!
With a flinter, if you get a good one, the flash-pan is self-sealing, though you can help it too by sealing the edges of the flashpan with wax once it's charged.
As for "sealing the priming system from weather", that isn't hard to do with most systems. Many people using percussion caps seal them by dribbling molten wax around the primer. It will stay weather proof until you fire the gun, but like all muzzle-loaders, firing is a single shot affair so no worries about the follow up shot!
With a flinter, if you get a good one, the flash-pan is self-sealing, though you can help it too by sealing the edges of the flashpan with wax once it's charged.
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I'll vote for a Knight inline. I've hunted with them for about 15 years and have yet to have one fail me. Any shot I may have missed was my own fault. many years ago I used a safari arms hawken ( Avoid this rifle at all costs ). The Knight has been through every type of situation from dust to downpours not only for me but for friends that use them as well. Use 45 cal. XTP's in the right sabot with 120 gr of pyrodex and sight it in and start looking at venison recipes.
Side hammer percussion is what I use. Dab nail polish inside the percussion caps on the priming compound and let dry. Smear crisco around the nipple but not on the hole and then place cap. That waterproofs that area. Patched round ball seals the powder in the breach. I use peep sights.
Works for me.
Works for me.
- Location
- Ft. Mac. Alberta
I firmly believe that a person should not let " the best system" cloud their way of thinking in what they WANT to hunt with.
What some consider "best" may not be what others would even think of shooting!
I have used a .58 Hawken since 19811, and although I have owned more than a few quality flinets since, keep going back to the cap lock Hawken.
Others I know like big flint longrifles, while others prefer trade guns.
The rifle you have will get 'er done with no sweat, if you practice with it.
On that note, a friend of ours had one of those modern inline things misfire on a deer a few years back, and the same deer was felled shortly after with a .54 cal flinter, so even those modern things are not perfect.....
Cat
What some consider "best" may not be what others would even think of shooting!
I have used a .58 Hawken since 19811, and although I have owned more than a few quality flinets since, keep going back to the cap lock Hawken.
Others I know like big flint longrifles, while others prefer trade guns.
The rifle you have will get 'er done with no sweat, if you practice with it.
On that note, a friend of ours had one of those modern inline things misfire on a deer a few years back, and the same deer was felled shortly after with a .54 cal flinter, so even those modern things are not perfect.....
Cat
- Location
- Hillbilly shack in the boonies
I have a Knight inline , stainless , and new unfired. 54 cal. I don't shoot BP right now but know its a very nice rifle with high end parts. And very light compaired to the traditional guns out there. Its on the exchange and up for trade on a 22 magnum rimfire. Having said that TC is still putting together excellent firearms. I did have a flint 50 hawken and a cap 54 Renegade about 20 years back that were excellent.
Frank
Frank
You could be right-I do like my Hawkin, but was afraid of misfires,so that idea of weatherproofing the percussion caps with nail polish might be a simple solution.I've also seen a fitted leather bag to protect the hammer and cap from the elements.Probably somebody will come up with a simple cap cover that slips over the percussion cap itself to weather proof it,something that you don't remove-and the hammer comes down on firing it.Be an idea, anyway.
you know,the more I think about that weatherproofing idea for exposed sidelocks ,the better it sounds-a thin plastic sleeve that would slip over the cap after it was on,that would completely isolate it from moisture.It would be thin enough to allow the hammer to strike the cap and ignite it.What do you guys think?Would it work?
I'd use the TC Hawken....hey wait..I have used the TC Hawken.
FFg, factory buckhorn sights, Remington or Dynamit Nobel caps and 410gr Hollow Point Buffalo Bullet.
Works great!
This pic is getting old, but the only suitable BP one I have.
FFg, factory buckhorn sights, Remington or Dynamit Nobel caps and 410gr Hollow Point Buffalo Bullet.
Works great!
This pic is getting old, but the only suitable BP one I have.
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