Good Starter BP

billyc

billyc

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Mid-Western Ontario, Bruce County
Hey
I'm looking to get into BP hunting this year. I'm wondering if you guys can recommend any good starter guns. I'm looking for one with the easiest operation as well as being reliable. I'm brand new to the blackpowder scene so I have no clue. I have seen that SIR has some packages for traditions guns as well as a entry level thompson center fire. Any recommendations would be greatly appreciated. I don't want to break the bank in case i decide that black powder is not for me.
 
Billy,

Are you looking for an inline (yuk) or a more traditional BP firearm? I would stay away from Traditions firearms. T/C, Lyman, Euroarms and Pedersoli are good makers. Although, I don't own one, T/C seem to be very popular. I, and others here, would be more than glad to throw in my $.02 worth once I know what type of ignition system you pick.
 
I agree with what SW suggested.You might want to check out Elwood Epps as they have some inexpenxive used black powder guns as does Shooter's Choice.

I am a big fan of Thompson Center. Pedersoli and Lyman.

sluice
 
The TC omega Z5 package. Come's with everything. If it is not your bag, you will have no problem selling it.
 
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The sidekick/huntsman is a great muzzle loader...I have owned a rem700ml, knight disc, encore 209x50, white bison, and my sidekick shoots as good or better then any of them out of the box.
 
I like to keep it simple and cheap. I use a sidelock, real black powder or Pyrodex and a patched round ball. I have had my Lyman Deerstalker for 14 years and have shot at least 1 Deer a year, and sometimes 2. I can keep the balls in a 2 1/2" group at 80 yards with no problem, and have taken at least 3 whitetails at the 100 yard mark. My 2 Deer this year where at 60 and just over 100 yards. Both balls passed right through the ribs.
 
I went through the same thing a few years ago but my mind was made up when I found a stainless steel remington 700 mls for sale at a really good price. I know some people dont like these, but it has worked for me and I can't complain. Taken my first two deer with it and it has taken three this year. All clean kills going completly through, even out to 175 yards. I would never pay what these guns cost when they were brand new and still plentiful since they would run upwards of $600 sometimes. But I got mine for a bit under 300 and I think if you look around right now you can find them at this price.

I wasn't picky when it came to buying mine I just wanted something that I knew would be decent quality and shoot well everytime. Mine is 45 caliber because thats all they had, but i would suggest going for a 50 cal because then you won't go through the hassle of finding components like I have :runaway:

Hope this helps.
Evan
 
Things I have heard are:

"Kicks like a mule" - Mine with 100 grains of 777 shooting a 225 grain powerbelt has no noticable kick, especially shooting at a deer.

"Fierce blowback" - Its true the chamber area gets dirty, but I have never felt anything blow back into my face.

Other little things like cleaning is tougher, which is true, but hey it takes me about 30 minutes to do a good cleaning of it when I take my time, not too bad.

One thing that is kind of annoying is loading the primers. Sometimes its hard to get your fingers in there to get the primer in especially when you are shaking because there is a deer you just missed standing 30 yards from you.

Maybe some other people have had bad experiences but my only negative experience is trying to reload fast which is all a matter of practice. I like to take the deer with the first shot anyways, so the slow reloading just makes me take more time on my first shot.

Hope this helps. By the way, if you can get to the toronto area Lebaron has a couple of the 700 mls left (just bought one for my dad today).
 
We bought 4 Rem. 700 when we started BP, after 3 years of use one was sold for a Traditions(easier to clean) and 1 for an Encore. The Encore was then sold to buy back the old 700 because the Encore was not a good shooter. The only problem with the 700 is that they are harder to clean. You can buy them used cheap and we have had no problems with them.
 
I've heard people say to stay away from traditions but I ignored that and got myself a traditions xlt from sir for under $300. It's a really nice gun, break open action makes it easy to clean, 28" fluted barrel is pretty accurate, 2" groups at 100 yards with open sights. there is some worry over the spanish barrels, the traditions manual says you can use 3 pyrodex pellets - thats something im not going to bother trying. she shoots just fine with 2 pellets.

I shot my first deer with it this fall in the early ML season, it was great, Ill be talking advantage of the early season every year now!

So in my opinion the traditions break open muzzleloaders are an excellent beginner gun and wont break the bank
 
Friends of mine use Remington 700's. Or try. Nothing but failure to set off the cap. Having seen what I have of the Remingtons, I'll stick with my sidehammers.
 
For evster: Don't you have a capper? Why would you be using your fingers?
For hunting, a .50 cal inline is my suggestion. They are all tapped + drilled for a scope if you want to go thatway. All the accessories are easily obtained. If you want to tackle a moose, just buy heavier bullets. If you want to buy a tradional black powder rifle, it'll cost you. I myself shoot a Knight Wolverine .50. I've had it for 7 years, shot lots of deer + 1 moose + don't see any reason to upgrade. It cost me about $200.00. I shoot pyrodex pellets. It'll take 3 but I only use 2.
 
I'm with the T/C and Lyman guys, Cap lock would be better than a flinter starting off, but you will get the bug :D Oh 54 cal is my choice for the Lyman, and 50 for the T/C , reason for 50 in T/C , not sure if you can get a rb twist.
 
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