Smoothbore Repro Baker Rifles, are they any good?

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Weapontech

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I'm speaking specifically about the models available through either Loyalist or Military Heritage for around $500. I ask as there's one for sale at our club;
it does look very good from what I can see (good fit & finish, function, etc) - I'm just wondering if it's at all worth it. Are these known as good/fair shooters? Thanks for any info.
 
I have had bad experiences doing business with military heritage.

Loyalist is a excellent company, they really stand behind what they sell, do repairs and are "in my experience" more then happy to answer questions "which is rare nowadays.

A smoothbore in 62 cal with a 32" barrel Im sure will give you minute of deer within 50 yards or so depending on -You-

Remember trade guns sold to natives and settlers in the early days of Canada and the U.S.A had barrels around that length -at times- and those stalwart folk used them for hunting everything on the continent and home defence.

I myself have looked at them once or twice;)

It would be a fun smoothie Im sure.
 
To me, a smoothbore sort of defeats the purpose of having a reproduction of a Baker rifle. If I were looking for a Baker repro, it would have to be rifled.

That said, something like this would probably be OK for reenactors or display.
 
Musketfire said:
I have had bad experiences doing business with military heritage.....
....Loyalist is a excellent company, they really stand behind what they sell.
Click to expand...

I couldn't agree more, Blair has got me out of a jam more than once. My question really surrounds the quality between the two, knowing that LA assembles their pieces locally, and MH brings their guns in complete and undrilled from......wherever. :rolleyes:
(I noticed that MH does take a few jabs at LA in their advertizing, saying that LA's version of the Baker is not an accurate reproduction).

I think MH (or LA?) offers info for a U.S. third party in order to get a rifled barrel installed - but what a pain. I would need to buy the gun and then send it to the U.S. to get it installed. I've also been told that there is no guarantee for the work done. Why don't MH or LA just stock rifled versions of the Baker for a higher price?

I already have more smoothbores than I have lead to shoot regularily; I guess I was hoping that either version of the Baker would have been a "getaway from the everyday" muzzloader. I'm getting the impression that to do that, I'm would need to spend $1200+. :(
 
BakerRifleFullRight.jpg
 
Baker

I cannot speak for the Baker as I have never owned one. i have, however, owned an Indian made Charleville for about 4 years and it is excellent. No doubts in my mind as to its quality. I proof tested it with 160 grains of powder and double balled it. It was then fastened to a truck tire.... No problem (large kaboom though...). The fit and finish is very good and the only thing that came up was that the frizzen had to be re-tempered after 3 years of shooting.
So what about just ordering a liner? I understand there is an outfit in Tennessee that produces them.

Cheers. Steve
 
stevejones said:
.... I proof tested it with 160 grains of powder and double balled it. It was then fastened to a truck tire.... No problem (large kaboom though...)....
Click to expand...

I know some people who call that a hunting load. :eek:

Wasn't an unusual trick back in the day either. Most guns in good shape are probably safe with that sort of load but it just hurts too much for me. :p
 
chasseur said:
BakerRifleFullRight.jpg
Click to expand...

Great rifle....what a beauty!

I do admit I personally like the older queen anne style hammer, but the reenforced hammer is also quite charming.


I had a chance a couple months ago to get a slightly beaten up rifleshoppe baker -
it needed repairs to the lock and the stock was beaten up --- all the guy wanted was 600$$:eek:

I turn around and whammo ...sold....

I hope im going to get another deal like that one.... some day!!






Did someone say 160 grain hunting load......yikes!

Im thinking dislocated shoulder, black and blue face and ringing ears ....I have never gone above 100 grains over a patched round ball shooting my bess, and I never will.....maybe;)
 
The flat faced double throat hammer and lock was standard on the 1801 Bakers right to around 1823.The round lock version came into use in 1823.A rifle Shoppe Baker kit is
available for $1035 with an assembled lock.You can also get them to install the sights and barrel lugs for an extra $75.Musketfire if the Baker rifle you saw for $600 was on Gunbroker I saw some close up pics of that from the guy that bought it and the lock that was on it was a poor replacement that didn t fit(was way smaller than the lock mortise)Also something else the stock on the gun was supposed to be a later style with the 1806 patchbox(inletting of the barrel and parts was sloopy at best) but there was no slit at the bottom of the forend in the ramrod groove like there was supposed to be.I have my doubts that it was from the RifleShoppe, might of been an india made Baker with rifled barrel and replacement lock.
 
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A buddy of mine picked one off of EE here.

It has a rifled barrel.
The barrel looks to be of very good quality and finish.

Fit and finish on the rest of the rifle is also very nice.

Only thing that I am unsure of is what it originated as, Loyalist?

It was listed on EE for a while at a reasonable price.

I know, I missed this bargain also.
 
there was a fellow I used to shoot with who loaded his bess with 120grs of fffg NASTY!! I wouldnt dare do that in the loyalist arms smoothbore baker...youed be MAD to try it.




Did someone say 160 grain hunting load......yikes!

Im thinking dislocated shoulder, black and blue face and ringing ears ....I have never gone above 100 grains over a patched round ball shooting my bess, and I never will.....maybe;)[/QUOTE]
 
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