suggestions for first BP rifle
- Thread starter czscotia
- Start date
Hi
I just bought a pedersoli Springfield 1861 repo. I chose the 1861 because I love the civil war era, and the Springfield 1861 was one or the most used rifle during the war. From what i can read you cant go wrong with either a Springfield or the Enfield. If you read about the minié ball its really amazing! it sure was a turning point in the history of infantry warfare!
i can only talk about the 1861, its huge! heavy! and beautiful
and i just cant wait to try it!
Im still not sure if musket cap are easily available, so im planning to stock pile a little bit just in case.
At the end of the day for me my decision was entirely based on the fact that i love history and reading about the past...so i tough might as well learn by using the same tool
I just bought a pedersoli Springfield 1861 repo. I chose the 1861 because I love the civil war era, and the Springfield 1861 was one or the most used rifle during the war. From what i can read you cant go wrong with either a Springfield or the Enfield. If you read about the minié ball its really amazing! it sure was a turning point in the history of infantry warfare!
i can only talk about the 1861, its huge! heavy! and beautiful
and i just cant wait to try it!Im still not sure if musket cap are easily available, so im planning to stock pile a little bit just in case.
At the end of the day for me my decision was entirely based on the fact that i love history and reading about the past...so i tough might as well learn by using the same tool
Hi
I just bought a pedersoli Springfield 1861 repo. I chose the 1861 because I love the civil war era, and the Springfield 1861 was one or the most used rifle during the war. From what i can read you cant go wrong with either a Springfield or the Enfield. If you read about the minié ball its really amazing! it sure was a turning point in the history of infantry warfare!
i can only talk about the 1861, its huge! heavy! and beautiful
Im still not sure if musket cap are easily available, so im planning to stock pile a little bit just in case.
At the end of the day for me my decision was entirely based on the fact that i love history and reading about the past...so i tough might as well learn by using the same tool
Ellwood Epps here in Ontario carries musket caps!
I would lean towards a percussion Hawken rifle until you gain more experience. The Hawken is not a military rifle but I think you would find flinters pretty frustrating for the first little while. Also inexpensive flinters tend to be a royal pain because they usually use inexpensive locks with case hardened frizzens. Also the Hawken style rifle uses #11 caps which are much easier to find that musket caps.
I am not saying don't buy a flintlock military rifle but rather start with a gun that is easier to use and which allows you to make better informed choices after you have shot it for a while
cheers mooncoon
I am not saying don't buy a flintlock military rifle but rather start with a gun that is easier to use and which allows you to make better informed choices after you have shot it for a while
cheers mooncoon
I just shot a flinter for the first time two weekends ago, and it wasn't frustrating. It worked very well!
Of course, I had an experienced hand showing me what to do and lots of advice, but I think I could have got through it regardless.
Having the right powder to prime the pan helped a lot too, thanks to Pblatz.
That would by my Miroku Japanese Brown Bess 42".
Of course, I had an experienced hand showing me what to do and lots of advice, but I think I could have got through it regardless.
Having the right powder to prime the pan helped a lot too, thanks to Pblatz.
That would by my Miroku Japanese Brown Bess 42".
Like Marstar, Shooter's choice is also a Pedersoli dealer, and Loyalist Arms and Military Heritage Arms carry a mix of italian and indian repros.
For the more affordable italian repros though, like Pietta, Chiappa or Armi Sport, you are looking at Marstar.
If you are after Uberti, try Gunco in Ottawa - they are the official Canadian servicing dealer for Uberti and can get all their products.
For the more affordable italian repros though, like Pietta, Chiappa or Armi Sport, you are looking at Marstar.
If you are after Uberti, try Gunco in Ottawa - they are the official Canadian servicing dealer for Uberti and can get all their products.
Unless you just have to have a military replica, the least expensive way to get into this game with a good quality rifle would be a percussion, half-stock Hawken type plains rifle. There are usually some good deals on the CGN-EE Forum at any given time. That way you have easier access to round balls, #11 percussion caps and won't burn as much powder. Also suggest 50 cal rather than 54 as a starter to keep recoil down - and practice with target loads rather than full power hunting loads. After a year or so of exposure to the zillions of options, you can then decide to move up to your next B-P fantasy. Good luck.
I would argue the best readily-available traditional style- BP muzzleloader in Canada for the money is the percussion Lyman Deerstalker. That being said, it has a modern fibreglas ramrod and high-visibility fibre-optic sights and a rubber buttpad, so not totally traditional. The T/C version is maybe a tad better made but costs a good bit more - not a better value for money.
Personally, if I were to buy off the shelf, I would go with a .54 cal percussion Lyman Great Plains with a 1:60 twist for patched RB. It is completely traditional in every way and reasonably well made. In fact, that is exactly what I bought way back when I got my first muzzle stuffer and it was fantastic. I only got rid of it after I scratch-built my first .54 flintlock and most of my cappers started collecting dust.
A flintlock is NOT a good first muzzleloaer though - learn the basics on a percussion rifle, then worry about the more complicated flintlocks.
Personally, if I were to buy off the shelf, I would go with a .54 cal percussion Lyman Great Plains with a 1:60 twist for patched RB. It is completely traditional in every way and reasonably well made. In fact, that is exactly what I bought way back when I got my first muzzle stuffer and it was fantastic. I only got rid of it after I scratch-built my first .54 flintlock and most of my cappers started collecting dust.
A flintlock is NOT a good first muzzleloaer though - learn the basics on a percussion rifle, then worry about the more complicated flintlocks.
