Need Some Advice - Update with photo

686 Shooter

686 Shooter

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Hi all. I am needing some advice on a new muzzle loader. I'm looking at picking up a side lock. It will be my first. I would like something like the Traditions Kentucky percussion. The price of that one is right but I have read mixed reviews. Do any of you have any experience with this rifle? Or do you have any suggestions on a good one? I don't want to break the bank but I want something of reasonable quality(don't we all). It will only be used for some fun target shooting.

Thanks
 
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Unfortunately, reasonable quality and lower price don't usually go together. Marstar has some nice Pedersolis but are probably more than you want to spend. Or you could always watch the EE. A year or so ago I picked up a very nice Investarms Kentucky rifle for I think $300.00. A lot cheaper than a new one and Investarms are of decent quality.
 
I have been drooling over the Pedersoli's on Marstars site but I don't want to spend a lot of money until I know if black powder rifles are something I'm going to stick with. What do you think of the Traditions as a beginner rifle? Okay or would it discourage a guy away from black powder?

If I enjoy it I will look into a higher quality rifle later.
 
I do not know about the Kentucky style percussion, but my brother has owned a traditions 50cal flintlock Hawkins for about seven years. The only problems he has had was with the ramrod. If you buy one, keep the ram rod in for show, use a range rod to load. The lock is of decent quality. Not as good as his or my Pedersoli pistols, but good enough. Every time he pulls the trigger, it goes boom. Barrel is nice and heavy. The woodwork is fine. The brass work is fine.

All in all I would say if it is equal to the Hawkins, it is suitable for a first gun.
Kevin
 
I don't have a Traditions but I imagine they are okay. Beware though that the Traditions Kentucky rifle is a 2 piece stock that has a band and not a one piece like the original. Doesn't likely matter as far as shooting goes.
 
A great option for what you are asking, is a Lyman Great Plains Rifle, new or used. Inexpensive but quality piece, should last you a lifetime and I doubt you'd find a "need" to replace it, although you may "want" to add to it (ie buy more guns) later - my 0.01
 
686 SHOOTER......Pedersoli makes a nice muzzleloader for a reasonable price. Lyman also makes the Great Plains Rifles as well which have also been around for a few years. Then you have people like Matt at TVM, Northstar West, Clay Smith etc to name few. all top quality makers albeit a bit of a waiting period.

I would suggest that you contact your local black powder groups and attend a couple of there shoots and or meetings and see first hand as what they have and that may appeal to you. They can also steer you to where good quality used muzzleloaders may be had. They will also have a wealth of knowledge that they will be more than willing to pass on to you. Most important is that they are willing to mentor you along your way.

Besides muzzleloaders there all the accouterments that you will need as well. They will be able to tell you what you need and what you don't need. They can steer you in the direction of local traders or outfits like Track of the Wolf and The Gun Works.

There are muzzleloaders from different the time periods from the early 1700s to the mid 1800s which include flintlock, percussion. conversions which include smoothbore and rifled barrels. So there are lots to choose from. Ask yourself what period interests you the most, again different there are periods from Colonial to the fur trade.

Firearms style transitioned through these times and periods.

BTW what part of the nation are you in?

Let us know how you you make out.
 
I will start by saying that Traditions makes an ok, perfectly functional rifle at an entry level price point.

Given that it sounds like you are just testing your interest and only plan on shooting some paper, at least for now, the model you ask about would suit your needs.

Yes, there is better quality, better built, better finished models out there. Some have mentioned the Lyman Great Plains. If you could find a used one with a good bore for the price of a NEW Traditions you would have a little better gun.

Having just placed an order with Lyman I can tell you that the 2016 prices for new guns has gone up "considerably".

A new GPR will run you 900 bucks. Their Trade Rife, which is another nice offering will come in at almost 700 bucks. The Traditions Hawken will be on the shelf for about $650 - having a Canuck Buck worth about 70 cents US is really going to hurt this year.

PLUS, with the Movie Revenant hitting the screens in a couple of weeks, if it creates even a little of the craze that Jerimiah Johnson did back in the 70's you can count on the sidelock makers jacking the price up a bit if "everybody has to have a gun like Hugh Glass had in that movie".

You are in a tough spot to give advice to. If you "love it" and stick with it you have invested a chunk of money in a rifle that you will quickly outgrow and want something better. At that point your used rifle will be worth maybe half of what you paid for it and the resale market is very small, so you can't easily translate it into your next rifle without taking a loss.

On the other hand, if you buy something better and then decide it's not for you, then again, you have the cost of a good centerfire rifle into a sidelock that again, you may take a bath on if you want to sell it.

Whatever you decide on I would stick with a 50 cal. If you do want to sell it later the caliber is popular enough and even in Canada you can generally get "stuff" for a 50.

One of my sidelocks is a 38 cal. Supplies for that come from my once a year trip down the States to a muzzleloading fair - so pick something you can get supplies for.

I should have added. The Kentucky has the slow twist (1:66) barrel on it. That will pretty much restrict you to "round balls" - not a big deal, but again, in the resale market if it is not suited to conicals or sabot's, again, the market gets real small because there is a whole slew out there that think you need something more than a roundball for deer. For 70 more bucks (Cabela's) the Hawken Woodsman with it's 1:48 twist opens things up to all types of projectiles, increase the range of use (hunting) with the rifle - at least in many shooters minds.
 
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Need Some Advice update with photo

Thanks for all the advice everyone, it is very much appreciated.

As it turns out I was in Regina for visiting family for Christmas and decided to visit Wholesale Sports on boxing day. All firearms were 10 % off for boxing day so I decided to have a look at what they had for black powder rifles. There was a Lyman Trade Rifle 50 cal percussion that caught my eye. The display model had a scuff on the brass butt plate and I pointed that out to the lady behind the counter. She had a look to see if they had another in the back but they did not. I told the lady I would think about it and went about looking at different stuff. All of a sudden here comes the sales lady down the isle and says "if you want that rifle we will give it to you for $399". SOLD!
:rockOn:

So now I have my sidelock without a big cash output. Granted it's entry level but I'm thinking that if I decide to sell it because I want an upgrade or because it's not for me, I should be able to recoup a good chunk of my investment.

Thanks again everyone and Merry Christmas one and all!

 
You did good. That will do anything you ever need . and it will re-sell for what you paid.
Just remember Real Black ,I would use 3F ,{FFF} in it , and patched balls, or cast lead Mini/Maxi if you cast your own.{pure lead only for these or it will not go down the barrel without a lot of grief}
Lee moulds are good and cheap, $30.00 or less, so start scrounging pure lead scraps.
Pure cotton lubed or spit wet patches for the Round balls, & no patch and and lots of lube on the Mini/Maxi's .{Don't patch a Mini/Maxi}
Sabot bullets will shoot but are very expensive, and not necessary .
Clean the beast's bore with hot water, then dry , then a light coat of oil .
Fire a cap with the muzzle down before loading to clear any residue oil that can collect in the nipple after cleaning/storage.
I coat the nipple threads with Never seize/copper coat/Nikal for easy removal when needed, grease works too .
Forget you saw that little clean out screw, and remember the breech plug is not meant to be removed.
Have fun and enjoy her. You got a good deal on a good rifle.
Pick up a 50 cal brush , 50 cal jag and a patch puller that fit in the Ramrod threads . {A synthetic Derlin type rod is a good investment.}
Don't try to ram the ball all the way in 1 push, this breaks rods.

Not if, but when you forget powder {dry ball} pull the nipple and work as much powder in the chamber as possible, and shoot it out . If it only goes part way, ram it back down all the way and repeat with more powder. It will come out and it will be traveling real fast, think safe.!!
 
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