Traditions Tracker 209 ML????????

gth

gth

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Has anyone here had any first hand experience with the tracker 209 ML by traditions. I have not read to many reviews on them but the ones I did read were not favorable.

Its hard to tell if its just the usual gun writers BS or if these guns are truly junk. No-proof testing, ####ty nickle plating......etc..........


I'm interested in checking these out for my Dad. He has no interest in target shooting or plinking with it. Just sight it in and hunt. Maybe a few check shots each year.

I would like to hear hear from people here who have had one, or still do. Any first hand revies would be appreciated. The price is definetly right on these little guns, but I dont want to risk loosing a limb either.


(I'm aware of the more expensive, and likely more quality ML out there. Knights, Thompsen etc......... The bottom line is, if the price is more than $250 for a ML he's not interested in muzzleloading anynmore)
 
I have a Tracker in blue/synthetic. Quality is not that bad, always went bang and never left me hanging. This was originally purchased as I was not sure if I would like muzzleloading, but I loved it. I now have a few more and will no longer use a high power for hunting. Anyways the gun in question for $150 is worth it in my beliefs. I only had a little problem linging up the scope to zero with neutral adjustments( suspect the base holes were not 100% true center). I am confident with mine to about 125-150 max yard shot. I would not try further as the barrel is short. Disassembly would be a pain in the field as there are a fair number of pieces involved in disassembly. Overall you get what you pay for and again I would say try it. Also my pet load was 100 Pyrodex pellets over Hornady 44/240. This now is my backup should my T/C break, but she still gets range time. You might also want to check out the N.E.F. as it is also inexpensive. If interested you can go to traditionsfirearms.com to see or download the manual if you wish.
 
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For $166 for the Nickle/Synthetic version at SIR, its awful tempting to roll the dice and try one out, but the money may be better spent elsewhere if the rumours are true.

Still kinda on the fence here, anyone else have any reports on this ML.
 
I don't like shiny, so mine is a blued version. It works. I haven't shot it from a proper bench rest to isolate it from my faults, so I won't pronounce on accuracy except to say I can confidently take a shot at a deer at 100m, which is what I wanted it for. I wouldn't be surprised if a better shooter (e.g. me, if only I practised more) could use it at 150m.

My only complaint is that the instructions for disassembling didn't warn me to be careful of the spring clip for the primer so I trashed that the first time I used the wrench to remove the breech plug. The dealer gave me a new spring clip for free.

I think S.I.R. also still carries a Traditions bolt action model, Thunderbolt, for under $250, but if you aren't confident about Traditions guns, there is the N.E.F., as neos said, or go to the second hand market and wait for an older gun from one of the more expensive brands.
 
TheTooner said:
I think S.I.R. also still carries a Traditions bolt action model, Thunderbolt, for under $250, but if you aren't confident about Traditions guns, there is the N.E.F., as neos said, or go to the second hand market and wait for an older gun from one of the more expensive brands.
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I looked at the NEF's and I cant see them being much better, the H&R huntsman really looks rinky-dink to me. Of course so does the Tracker.

I wont have one for him this season, so maybe I'm jumping the gun a little here. I have at least until summer to figure out if they are any good.

Thanks for the replies.
 
I have a NEF HandiRifle and if their Huntsman muzzleloader is built to the same quality standard, I'd say it is a bit better than my Traditions Tracker. You can buy better, but it costs more. Good enough is good enough.
 
I just looked at the NEF at Wholesale sports this morning as I am also looking at getting into M.L. for next year. I was not all that impressed for the 200.00, the roll pins were not seated all the way, it requires the plastic primer tabs, and the opening thumb tab action looked like it was hammered out of an old licence plate. But, it was only 200.00.
I also looked at the traditions, and the NEF seemed like a better deal except the primer system.
I was very impressed with the traditions pursuit pro for 300.00. It points really quick, great balance, fluted barrel. All around for an extra 100.00 over the other guns you would have a good gun for a long time. That is the gun I will be looking around for.....but it is only another 100.00 for TC entry level......where does it end....
 
My buddy has a Traditions Buckhunter. He's had it for a few years, but something always goes wrong, and even though he had many opportunities with it, he has never downed an animal with it.

This year, he sighted in a month before the opener and all seemed fine. Then, he took a shot on a spike and a complete miss. Turns out his point of impact shifted a full two feet to the right. This could be the scope, but this is the third deer he has missed with it, so he is selling it and changing to something more reliable, like my Omega.

Ive looked at it, and I do not like it all that much. But hey, if you or your dad just want to try out MLing, it may be a good inexpensive option, until you know if you want to continue in the sport.
 
gth said:
Exactley where I'm stuck right now.
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Decide when you need to buy a muzzleloader by, then watch the secondhand market. If a decent used one of the higher end guns comes along within your $250 limit, buy it, if not get a new Tracker when your deadline arrives. Someone on the forum offered me a hardly used Traditions Pursuit LT for not much more than a new Tracker, you might want to search the Exchange to see if it is there - around August '05, I think.


I eventually decided on the Tracker rather than a NEF Huntsman because I didn't like the idea of always having to buy primer carriers for the latter and I don't feel the break action is enough of a benefit to me to spend the extra money (I know, it's not a big difference to most people, but I'm tight, and it paid for most of a serviceable used Weaver K4 for the Tracker.)
 
Tradition Tracker

Hello,

I have the blued 50 caliber version since 3 years. Since I didnt know if I would like Black Powder Hunting I bough an inexpensive gun. No problems with it already bagged 2 deers with it at about 120 yards with open sights. Very effective as far as I am concerned. Always remember that Black Powder necessitate a lot of maintenance, and you will be ok.

All
 
Hi,

I have a Tradition Tracker 209 inline ML, it's not the high end but I didn't want to spend too much to first try it, pait $150 at S.I.R.. I installed a fixed 2x scope on it and went to the range. After rough adjustment, it group around 4-5" at 100yards with 90gr loose 777 and Hornady hard ball 167gr with moderate recoil, I shot 29 runds and was still good for more. I will try different loads to see if I can group better but for a BP rifle, 4-5" is satisfactory. The idea of shooting round ball is what got me into it so i might buy a mold and start casting them.

Tried with heavier bullets (300gr Nosler saboted) and more powder (120gr)and this combination kiks more then my .308 which is not my bag. I want to be able to enjoy shooting without hurting myself. I can take the recoil but don't enjoy it when too strong.
I find them lots of fun to shoot and probably will buy another one a bit higher end. There's also muzzleloader kits that you can buy, I might look at that also.

It is something different that is easy to get hoocked at.

PaulT
 
I got one of these about a month ago and I think they're worth the money if you want to go hunting early or just get into muzzleloading.

Cons:
They could have done a better job of securing the sights. A small bump in the wrong place can move either the front or back sight.
The action sprays residue onto the bottom of the scope when you fire.
The ramrod is some plastic POS. It does the job, but barely. I'm always afraid I'm going to break it.
You have to hold the trigger down the WHOLE time you're unscrewing the breech plug.

Pros:
I really like the stock and the overal feel of the rifle. It swings nicely and 'just feels right' when you pull it up to fire.
It can be easily scoped.
It goes boom everytime.
It seems to be accurate enough. I wouldn't have any problems taking a deer at 100 yards or so.
 
The tracker 209 was my first muzzle loader, mine had the nickle finish. I shot it for 2 seasons before trading up to a Savage ML10. I had no problems, and noted only one annoying feature. "Flashback" from the action did a number on my scope. Other than that, it shot very well for the price, went boom when it was supposed to, and hit what I was aiming at. The main reason I went to the Savage is that I hated having to clean the thing so frequently. (I use the smokeless option in the Savage) Otherwise, mine was a good one.
 
IMO,any of the m.l.'s mentioned are indeed good entry level b.p. guns.I own the NEF m.l. and really enjoy the break action type,eventually,someday I will upgrade to the T/C Encore.
 
I bought my Traditions 209 Tracker last year for the ML season in Ont. I'd say that for the price (I paid $130) it's a good rifle and I find it to be very acurate, but you do only get what you pay for (cheap plastic stock, ####ty breach plug/nipple). I now wish I had spent an extra $100-150 for a nicer gun.
 
Discontinued. I read this on another smokepole forum, unless you find one in stock or used. For what it is and the fact that the Tracker was o.k. I would say if it fits you go for it. I would rather have the Lightening over a new Pursuit as the looks are better with the wood stock.
 
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That someday has come as I now have up-graded to a T/C Encore.
Like I said before though,the Traditions are great for the novice or beginner who does'nt want to shell out alot of money for a m.l.
And for many who are just as satisfied with what traditions has to offer!
 
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