BP rifle for 7 yr old

[apowell]

http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?p=3243861

My 7yr old wants to buy a "musket" with his $.

Any suggestions? I'm BP ignorant.

Thanks,
Adon

 

[Cap n Ball]

Try a carbine sized gun. Rifled or smoothbore? What caliber? A 50 or 58 might be a bit hard on the boy. As far as buying one thats 'safe' I assume you mean one that won't blow up. If its used have a gunsmith thats familiar with front loaders check it out before you buy it even if the guy says its a good shooter.

 

[mp510]

A 50 or 58 might be a bit hard on the boy.

Downloading a muzzle loader for reduced recoil is easy enough. A .50 probably wouldn't be too heavy, though .45 or less would probably be preferable. I would avoid a .58, primarily because not only isa 58 going to be heavier recoiling (heavier projectile), .58's tend to be heavier and more expensive reproduction CW weapons.

 

[Stickjockey]

How about Dixie Gun Works' Cub?

http://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=885

Maybe a bit spendy, but a nice rifle from what I've heard. Also comes in a kit.

 

[apowell]

Thanks.

He put his first 3 shots in the 4-5" bullseye of a 600 mtr target hung at 25 yds with the 3rd dead center and it was a .50, but may have been downloaded.

I've read about the work required to put a kit together and it appears to be beyond his abilities and something I don't have time to do right.

Keep it coming.

Adon

 

[Dr.Doug]

I bought a CVA Youth Hunter for my kids.

It's a 50 cal. side hammer that's rated for deer hunting loads, but it shoots round balls wonderfully with as little as 30 gr. of 3f. Recoil for that load is on par with a .223.

My specimin had a few issues with the lock, but now it's a solid, reliable little gun. My 7 year old still shoots it exclusively off cross sticks, but my 9 year old is begining to shoot it 'like a man' (his words, meaning off hand). I've had it about 2 years and gave $110 for it NIB. The bad new is that they may no longer be in production.

Have fun shooting with your kids- I do!

Doug

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Cabela's has an inexpensive plains style rifle (under $400) in .50. I tried to post a link, but can't seem to get it to work right. Google it if you can. You can always try a pawn shop next month as taxes come due. I have seen some fantastic bargains found that way, but you have to have a proper gunsmith check it out for you before you shoot it.

Just download to around 40 grains of 2Fg and he should be fine. Also try patched round ball instead of the very heavy conical to lower recoil.

LD

 

[____hoot____]

I have a CVA boy's Blazer .45 from 1986. A spanish made 4 1/4 pound rifle with a 12" pull. Deadly on deer with Hornady 158 grain sabots in front of 60 grains of triple X and can be loaded down with round ball in front of 20 grains to a very accurate soft kicking target load. Bought it new for $65. Of course it is no longer made.~~~~~~~~~Darn I wish I could buy a "modern" longgun with 357 Maximum punch that weighs only 4 1/4 pounds.:banghead:

 

[arcticap]

Deer Creek Products ( 765-525-6181) lists a Traditions .32 Deerhunter Youth model with a 12.5 inch stock and 24 inch barrel for $179. The .32 is a small game caliber that may have some disadvantages. The barrel is caliber heavy, the small round balls aren't as easy to handle or load as the larger ones, and the small bore fouls easier. But maybe other caliber barrels are available since Deer Hunters have been made in .45 and .50 caliber too.
You can sometimes find Deerhunter stocks and guns on ebay or a gun auction site, and the stock can be cut down to size to fit your son.
There's other similar carbine models that can be cut down in size to fit too.