Modern Single-Shot BP Pistols

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Timthinker

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In terms of modern-that is, in-line-BP pistols, two spring to my mind which might perform well as target guns. Those are the Kahnke and Traditions Buckhunter. While these pistols were designed for BP hunting, they seem capable of delivering quite good accuracy at 25 yards or less. Do any of our shooters here have experience with either one? If so, was the accuracy acceptable?

I do not wish to confine this thread solely to those two pistols, but I can not think of another popular in-line BP pistol offhand. To be sure, there are replica caplock duelling pistols but these fall outside the scope of this inquiry. Thanks for the information in advance.


Timthinker
 
Thanks for the link about the Knight pistol. All these in-lines seem like great shooters, but I wonder if they are more accurate than a replica duelling pistol such as the Pedersoli LePage. I have no doubt modern in-lines can shoot a heavy powder charge, but does their weight and balance make them more difficult to use for target shooting? This is the issue I am attempting to resolve. Ideally, I would like to hear from someone who has fired both types.


Timthinker
 
If you can find one (try Muzzle Blasts), the old 10-Ring inlines were superb. They were designed specifically as target pistols. Held like a National Match 1911.
 
I have the Buckhunter, 12 inch barrel and a Tasco scope, it will hold an inch and a half at fifty yards with a prb and sixty grains of 3f.
 
The discontinued TC Scout is another inline model.
Hunting models are usually too heavy and unbalanced for most folks to target shoot with one handed.
 
Arcticap, any of the in-line pistols which come to my mind would need a two-handed grip to shoot accurately due to their weight and balance. Given this, do our shooters believe the Buckhunter or Kahnke could hold their own against a Pedersoli LePage at 25 yards or less? I am obviously speaking about using open sights rather than optics for all three guns. As my posts reveal, I dearly prize accuracy so any opinions on this matter will be appreciated. My goal in the near future is to purchase a single-shot BP pistol for target practice. I hope this info helps.

In future posts, I will explain what type of modern handgun I will be competing against. Let me say that I am preparing for a rematch against an "opponent" whom I outshot some years ago. He was using a modern firearm and I chose a muzzleloader. He lost.


Timthinker
 
For accuracy, I'd stay clear of the modern in-lines. Look for an old 10-ring...or go with one of the traditionally styled target pistols.

As of this moment, I'd rank the traditional target pistols in this order:
1. Underhammers made by Andy Baumkircher or Tilo Dedinski.
2. Hege-Siber, maybe the percussion gun made by Helmut Mohr - I haven't shot the latter.
3. Pedersoli guns. The Kuchenreuter is supposed to be their top-of-the-line piece, followed by the Mang and LePage.
 
Guys, thanks for the recommendations. I will be competing against an old friend at 15-20 yards distance. He will be using his S&W 642 against a BP pistol of my choice. I initially thought about purchasing a Kahnke since it has a good reputation for accuracy, but the LePage has caught my attention recently. Any further recommendations will be greatly appreciated.

The story behind this rematch is somewhat amusing. Some years ago, the two of us went target shooting at an outdoor range. My friend carried a Ruger Mini-14 and I wanted to shoot a new Knight rifle. After receiving several comments against my "smokepole", I competed against him at a 100 yard target. He lost. In this rematch, he believes closer is better. I don't think so.:D Time and burned powder will tell.


Timthinker
 
I recall seeing a single shot built on the colt frame.

Actually, now that I think of it I have seen several in museums and as recreations.

Not sure of the builder for the modern ones but Tingle ring a bell.

If I can find more, I will post.
 
Mike OTDP is right. Alex Hamilton and Bob Day came up with the quintessential modern BP target pistols back in the 1970's. There was a caplock, which featured one of the very first 'in-line' actions, and a flintlock. Both had a grip very similar to a 1911, fully adjustable sights and were superbly accurate with the patched RBs they were designed to use.

IIRC, these are still being made on a custom order basis by someone. Alex (dba "Ten-Ring Precision") sold the rights many years back but the design's basic excellence still has a small but devoted following among serious BP paper punchers.
 
50cal.jpg
here's one of my co-workers shooting my Traditions Buckhunter. I think he's hooked on BP now.
 
In case anyone is seriously interested enough I did some digging on the Ten-Ring target pistols.

Alex Hamilton designed and built the first one for Max Schneider in the 1970's. It incorporated the S&W Model 41 web and the 1911 frame. It worked so well that demand took off, and he hired Bob Day and Frank Green to help him refinine the design and build them fast enough to keep up with the orders.

The flintlock model was (is) called the "Dueller" and the percussion model the "Rival". Both use a 0.440" ball with an approx. 0.013" pillow ticking patch. Both are reportedly capable of delivering 2.5" or better groups at 50 yds.

They are still being built by a fellow named Chris Hagemann. He can be reached at (402) 727-5512. Don't have a current price but I reckon they aren't exactly cheap.
 
I've seen a pic of my Tingle, I don't know if mine is a lemon but just in case I say "avoid"
If you want a good shooter, Lepage,Mortimer, Kuchen, Sieber are well known.
You may add some underhammer, made by Feinwerkbau or Ardesa

ardesa_derringer_underhammer_IMG_2359_cut_1024.jpg
 
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