Pedersoli or Traditions

Brian Sharpe

Brian Sharpe

Member
EE Expired
Rating - 100%
1   0   0
Location
Aylmer Qc
I know, the real answer is one of each but she who must be obeyed may have a slightly different opinion......so here's my question.

I'm looking at acquiring my first flintlock (and I'm a complete newbie at this) and my short list (not that there's a huge selection of entry level priced rifles) is pretty much down to the Traditions Hawken or the Pedersoli Scout (I had been thinking of something more traditional like a Kentucky rifle but like the idea of adjustable sights and am thinking that the shorter barrel may be an advantage when I'm hunting). Not that either are terribly expensive rifles and the price difference isn't huge but is there a significant difference in the quality between the two? Jason over at Gunco can get me whichever one I want but has admitted that he is not that familiar with BP muzzle loaders.

On ano0ther note, is there a club or range in the Ottawa area that is particularly BP friendly? (or, conversely, any that have a hate on for it?)

Thanks.
 
Lyman. There is no upgrade parts for a Traditions, they are OK quality although I have never had a flash hole line up with the flash pan the way it should. Avoid the PA Pellet. Pedersoli is very nice but the costs of any upgrades is almost as much as a new rifle.

There is a huge amount of drop in barrels, stronger locks and fancy wood stocks that you can upgrade a Lyman. Also INVESTARM and Lyman are the same make and fully inter-changeable. I suggest you go to the Track of the Wolf website and check parts available first. If you are getting for hunting buy the Great Plains Hunter in 50 cal and you will be able to use all the modern bullets with a old age look. If you are mainly a paper puncher but hunt occasionally, buy the Great Plains in 54 cal with the 1:66 barrel, it throws round ball like there is no tomorrow. I currently own an INVESTARM Hawken which is the same as the Lyman trade rifle.
 
Of the ones you mention I would go with the Pedersoli. They've been around quite a while now and the quality seems to have been only improving over the years.
That said, the Lyman is something to consider depending on the price comparison. They are a very nice factory ML.
I don't know what kind of "upgrades" a person would want for a traditional rifle, particularly a flinter, other than maybe sight options.

See if you can find a local club and handle as many guns as possible. Talk to people and ask questions. Most muzzle stuffers are happy to give you their opinions. Best of luck!
 
Never owned a pedersoli so can't say to much about them. Ive heard bad things about tradition frizzens and lock design. I have never had a problem with there percussion locks and my Kentucky is a tack driver. My great plains Lyman took some monkeying to get good sparks out of and loved to smash flints. But its good and reliable now. The great plains are known for there accuracy.
Flintlocks need real black powder not a substitute black powder to ignite reliably.
Trevor
 
I own both a Lyman GPR, and a Pedersoli Gibbs rifle. Both are very good rifles, IMHO, but one is an apple and one is an orange, so comparison is a bit subjective. The Gibbs has a 1/18" twist barrel, and the Lyman has 1/66", so one is a patched round ball shooter, and one is a conical bullet shooter. Any PRB shooter will only stabilise the ball for about 100 yards, which is about their maximum range. The conical bullet shooter, if you can get it tuned, will shoot much farther, 1000 yards. As for the 1/48" Lyman Hunter barrel, I have never shot one, but I own a Thompson Center Renegade, with that medium twist barrel, and to me, it was neither fish, nor fowl. It didn't shoot either one very well.
As for the costs associated with upgrading, my suggestion would be to buy the best you can afford to begin with. My Gibbs rifle will outshoot me any day of the week, and I seriously doubt that a different barrel would improve it. I could be wrong... It should be noted that I have no experience with other Pedersoli rifles, especially a PRB flintlock, but based on my Gibbs, they make a very good rifle, really good value for the money. That said, my Lyman has served me well for almost 30 years, with zero trouble.
As always, YMMV
Glen
 
It would be a good idea to run a patch down the barrel to check for rough spots and/or tight areas. Everybody makes a dud barrel once in a while.
 
Pedersoli makes a very decent muzzleloader. I have not shot a Traditions but have seen them. I like the fit and finish on the Pedersoli better. As for sights go with traditional sights they are much more rewarding, once they are adjusted you should not notice any difference between the two. As far as barrel length goes while hunting I personally prefer a longer barrel rather than the short Hawken lengths. Also traditional sights may be a benefit if you decide to shoot with your local BP group as some do not allow adjustable sights. Contact one or two local BP groups and go out to their monthly BP shoot and see what they are all shootiin. They are very hospitable and will allow you to try out a few rifles to help you make a decision as well as give you tons of information. Lyman are also a decent rifle and have been building them as well foe a number of years. Try to locate and purchase Lyman's Black Powder Manual essentially the BP bible. Good luck and enjoy shooting BP.
 
I find a lot of folks writing about moving up from a Traditions to something better. And reports that their flintlocks can have frizzen issues. But do your own searching and reading to see for yourself. It's been a while and I wasn't particularly looking for Traditions information.

As it happens I got a Lyman as my first flintlock. It's been a marvelous piece. But the Hawken style design with the heavy barrel IS HEAVY! ! ! ! I'm not sure I'd want to schlepp it around the woods for a whole day. If you're going to use it for hunting I think I'd want to look for more of a lighter barrel style.
 
Stay away from Traditions flintlock. I owned one and it was a cheek slapper. Everybody that I ran into that had one complained about the same thing. After ten rounds your right cheek looks like U walked into a door. Go with a Lyman Hawken or a Pedersoli flinter. I have a 54 Lyman in both flint and cap lock and they are both very very accurate. Would not think twice about not taking them hunting. My cap lock in 54 shoots a 460 grain cast bullet and it knocks the 10 inch steel gong over at 100 meters with a 110 grain load. Now that is some stopping power. My 375ouch&ouch does not even do that.
As others have posted with a Lyman U can upgrade the lock to an L&R, upgrade the trigger to a deerslayer, upgrade the barrel from 50 to 54 or the otherway around. U can also change the twist of your Lyman Hawken to shoot patched round ball or cast bullets. Just by ordering and switching barrels. Ya gotta like that.

Cheers&Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester

Are U sure U know how to skin grizz pilgrim?
 
People complain about the Hawken style rifle as too heavy. Including the former own of mine.

Myself I don't mind it one iota. It's not as if you are hunting from the high port position ala upland bird hunting.
But then again I schlepped around an FNC2 for a few years with zero complaints from me.
I am not a big fan of shortened barrels with BP as you give up precious velocity.
 
I'd go with the Pedersoli. I've had a Pedersoli 12 ga SxS muzzleloading shotgun for over 30 years. Still functions perfectly.

I also have Lyman .50 cal Trade rifle and would recommend them.
 
eaglesnester said:
Stay away from Traditions flintlock. I owned one and it was a cheek slapper. Everybody that I ran into that had one complained about the same thing. After ten rounds your right cheek looks like U walked into a door. Go with a Lyman Hawken or a Pedersoli flinter. I have a 54 Lyman in both flint and cap lock and they are both very very accurate. Would not think twice about not taking them hunting. My cap lock in 54 shoots a 460 grain cast bullet and it knocks the 10 inch steel gong over at 100 meters with a 110 grain load. Now that is some stopping power. My 375ouch&ouch does not even do that.
As others have posted with a Lyman U can upgrade the lock to an L&R, upgrade the trigger to a deerslayer, upgrade the barrel from 50 to 54 or the otherway around. U can also change the twist of your Lyman Hawken to shoot patched round ball or cast bullets. Just by ordering and switching barrels. Ya gotta like that.

Cheers&Tighter Groups: Eaglesnester

Are U sure U know how to skin grizz pilgrim?
Click to expand...

Thanks, the more I look at the Lymans the more impressed I am.
 
You definitley want to pick a Lyman out in person. Ive read that some people are complaining that the touch holes can be not centered in the pan. My great plains isn't perfect but has never given me a problem. I did open the touch hole up a little (5/16 drill bit if I remember correctly). Be warned these black powder rifles and pistols can become quite addictive. I've got around a dozen or so and now enjoy building them myself. I think the next project will be a blunderbuss kit. Good luck and have fun
 
I highly recommend a Lyman Deerstalker .54 flintlock. It's the best fun I've had with a firearm. Great bang for the buck. I actually like it better than any Pedeeaoli I have handled.
 
The info I get is new Lyman product is lacking somewhat in fit and finish. Have owned and shot Pedersoli in most calibers and cannot say anything bad other than be sure you buy one with set triggers. Currently shooting a Cabela's .58 cal made by Investarm and it is a good piece and rings the gong at 165 yards on 90 grns of ffg. Larger caliber makes the barrel lighter and easier to hold up in off-hand shooting.
 
My brother has a Traditions Hawken Flintlock. It is a nice looking rifle. It shoots nice. He only shoots black powder out of it, as recomended. There has never been any issues with the frizzen or lock. He is quite happy with it. Any one who shoots it is happy with it too.

I have only seen Pedersoli hand guns. But they are top quality.

If you can, shoot both and see what you like.

Kevin
 
I have and have owned several Pedersoli's, Thompson Hawkens, Investarm/Safari Arm, and lymans.The Pedersoli's are a better rifle, in fit, finish, and quality.
Pedersoli's also hold their value better.
As for those upgrades, just try to find one of those drop in barrels, can you spell OUT OF STOCK. Sometimes a used barrel pops up, but those green Mountain barrels are a thing of the past, and the prices are nearly what a whole gun is worth.
There are replacement locks available for ant ML today from the custom lock makers. . Also be aware to drop in an L&R lock to a Lyman or investarm stock requires some inletting on your part. They don't just drop in like many think. You probably will not need a lock anyway. Be sure to use real flints, not those cut things we see and real black powder.

Pete.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom