Cabela's .50 Blue Ridge Perc. A Good Buy?

[JEH31]

I am making good on a committment to buy my son a black powder muzzleloader. He qualified to compete for the State title as a high school wrestler and I wanted to buy him a gift that he'll prize for a lifetime.
His choice is the Cabelas' Blue Ridge percussion .50. I don't know beans about muzzleloaders and am asking you guys whether this is a good purchase. Cabela's also has a Kentucky model as well. I expect he'll use the rifle to hunt deer (so far he's been using the M1 Garand) so this gift won't hang on the wall and rust. Any thing to consider befor buying?

Jim

 

[Loyalist Dave]

It's a good, generic, longrifle. Don't go with the "Kentucky" as it's way too short (imho). The BRH is a proper length and a Pedersoli product made to Cabella's specs. For full accuracy advantage one needs to replace the front sight blade with a thin silver blade. Also they tend to have very sharp rifling, so if he shoots patched round ball (best for accuracy AND easier on the shoulder in these rifles) you may have to lap the bore some to take the edges off the lands so as to avoid cutting into the patches. Very simple to do. These same rifles were sold under the Hatfield name in flintlock toward the end of that company's lifetime.

LD

 

[JEH31]

Loyalist,

Thank you for the reply. Good to learn pros & cons of both rifles. He favors the Blue Ridge but I figured that was because he looks at the mountain range every day. Think it might be more fun to drive to Cabela's and let him see first-hand than simply ordering by mail. Again, thank you.

Jim

 

[sundance44s]

I`ve shot one of the BlueRidge 50 cals ... It`s a little light for a man ... it would be better for a young man . But it shot well and looks good for the price ..

 

[Gun Smith]

I have a blue ridge from cabela's in 32 cal. Great shooter after I changed the front sight, the origional was to wide.

 

[dwave]

I have a Blue Ridge in .45. It is really a Pedersoli Frontier rifle sold as a different name. Good shooter!

 

[mothernatureson]

cabelas blue ridge

These Italian guns have been increasing steadily in price. for almost 600 bucks, Im not sure its the best buy out there. I have one that I paid about 350 dollars 7-8 years ago from Cabelas. Somewhat slim in the stock for me, and walnut really isn't as tough of wood as maple or even some of the other hardwoods on bp rifles. I also have the Cabelas Hawken, check that one out for about half the price, its a good, stout rifle, and since neither of these are historical replicas, the hawken is made by a good company and is a great shooter. Have fun choosing , get one for yourself too! Good hunting,

mothernatureson

 

[O.S.O.K.]

You may want to consider...

a nice used ml. You can get him a very nice one like this:

a CVA mountain rifle in 54 cal (no longer being made) - these are excellent shooters and are miles ahead of the Cabelas guns on style.

$225 - the prices are such that you can get all kinds of supplies to go with and make it a package deal. You will be surprised how much you'll spend on balls, bullets, patches, wads, solvent, caps, nipple wrenches, bore lights, etc., etc.

Check your local gun shops and also gunbroker.

Another thought is a Thompson Center Renegade - these are great rifles and have the added bonus of being able to accept replacemnt green mountain barrels - allowing for different calibers, round ball or conical twist rates, etc. with one rifle. They are hooked breech and therefore a snap to disassemble.

Just a thought.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Yes the plains style rifles have tended to be a better bang-for-the-buck. The problem is if one wants a longrifle, if you go cheap, you get one way too short (imho). At $600 The BRH os a bit expensive, but as a flinter it's still $200 cheaper than most of the "proper" semi-custom longrifles on the market.

LD

 

[O.S.O.K.]

Again, I recommend

taking a look at Gunbroker.

Found this one - is a pedersoli kentucky rifle like you want- but is a flintlock - comes with stuff too and is only $450 - which I think is a pretty good price?

Anyway - this and the other acutions is a good place to shop. It's were I got my TC Renegade for $200.

 

[JEH31]

Cabela's .50 Blue Ridge

All,

Thank you your advice. Son #1 travelled to Cabela's today - did not purchase a rifle. We'll continue looking. Again, thank you.

Jim

 

[palongrifle]

I would stay away fron the cabela's rifles.There to expensive. For the money you can go to a gun show and buy a custom or semi custom muzzle loader. I have a Pa long rifle for sale. It's a 45 cal. with a 40 inch Getz swamped barrel, siler olock, l&r trigger(single) and ivory inlays of 2 hearts and a silver inlay of the date it was made with the builders initials. this gun shoots 2 inch groups and is very nice. make me a offer.