Possible Christmasd present for Dad

So my Dad and I are going deer hunting with smokepoles this year. This past summer was his first time with one and he's really digging it. He's also a preacher on a somewhat limited income, so blasting away those really expensive sabots and pistol bullets is a distant second to chunking out PRB's.

Which leads me to my dilema.

I've poked around a little for a traditional rifle that shoots a PRB. Almost everything is inline and fast twist. He likes my Thompson Center Pa. Hunter, but it's no longer made. A google search turned up a million youtube videos of them, but none for sale.

Any ideas of something similar? .50 cal, percussion and slow twist. Looks are secondary.

Sabot shooting doesn't have to be expensive. You can get bulk sabots for about 8 bucks per 100. Then, just buy cast bullets for a .45 Colt.

Have you considered getting a used TC Hawken or Lyman Great Plains Rifle ?:cool:

Or T/C Grey Hawk, New Englander, or White Mountain Carbine?

You might also consider looking at armslist.com. It's like a craigslist for firearms. They break it down to states. I was just on and they had quite a few TC sidelocks for about $200

The Traditions Kentucky .50 percussion rifle has a 1 in 66" twist and will shoot round balls very accurately. It can be purchased as a kit or as a factory finished gun.

http://www.cheaperthandirt.com/product/54336

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/traditions-kentucky-50-caliber-percussion-rifle.aspx?a=56639

Or $240 for a new .50 Deer hunter with a nickel barrel & adjustable sights:

http://www.sportsmansguide.com/net/cb/traditions-deerhunter-50-cal-muzzleloader-black-stock-nickel-barrel.aspx?a=264881

I'm a big fan of my CVA Bobcat, although they are a little difficult to find anymore. The Hawkins rifles are basically the same, but a lot more expensive.

My rifle is a 1:48 twist and will shoot everything from a PRB to a modern sabot very accurately. It's also a percussion sidelock, which is a plus in my book.

I definitely recommend it if you can find one, and a hawkin is worthwhile as well. On a side note, I see the Thompson Center hunter models, and similar models, all the time on gunbroker. I've actually been considering buying one, but haven't gotten around to it yet.

gojuice,

Just went to Gun broker and searched under bobcat and got 5 hits just thought ya might be interested

6 TC hawkin

67 hawken all brands and types.

-kBob