New, need advice

[Border]

Hi!

I am a traditional bowhunter who really wants to get into this blackpowder hunting season. Being a "traditionalist" I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction-I am thinking quality Hawken, .50 caliber, Jeremiah Johnson (ok, I admit it) stuff. I am hoping someone could get me started in the right direction so that I don't waste time and money buying inferior products. I'd rather pay more the first time for a keeper! I am not interested in in-line, scoped stuff (unless someone can present a strong argument).

Thank you so much!

Steve

 

[oneshooter]

How traditional do you want to get. Flintlock? Matchlock?

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[Chawbaccer]

TC Hawkens have a lifetime warranty, I think they still have the flint too. Good guns but all the brass is a distraction.
Lyman has a nice plains rifle, slow twist for round balls.

 

[Border]

Thanks. I wondered about that brass as well. As for how traditional, I'd say as it was; whatver Jeremiah used! (Unless of course flintlock takes way too much bother).

Thanks!

Steve

 

[oneshooter]

Go for the Lyman GPR in 50cal. Looks good and shoots well. 1-66 twist for a PRB. Use real BP, 2f, with a 495rb and 015 patch and Bore Butter lube. Start at 60gr and shoot a 5 shot group at 50yds. Clean with 1 wet patch and 1 dry patch between shots. This keeps the fouling to a consistent level. Increase charge 5gr for each group. The group will be spread laterally at first, then will tighten up and start to string vertically. When this happens back down to the last charge. Now you can play with lubes,patches and caps. It takes a lot of shooting but you will learn your rifle, and it's part of the fun!

Oneshooter
Livin in Texas

 

[4v50 Gary]

Lyman GPR is closer to the Hawkins than the TC. However, it's close but no cookie. Still, it remains one of the most popular guns (and I a couple myself) around for the BP community.

 

[oregonjohn]

You might check out the Blue Ridge rifles from Cabelas. They have both flint and percussion. I and son each have one of these rifles. Good looking, good shooting, accurate...nice piece of stuff and it would not be out of place in them "shinin' mountains." Actually, the Hawken style rifle came very late in the mountain man time and a lot of them fellas used the longrifle style. Whatever floats your stick...
John in Oregon

 

[Stickjockey]

Border-

Four words:

Lyman
Great
Plains
Rifle

 

[oregonjohn]

I agree also with StickJockey. The Lyman is a good and strong rifle. Had one for awhile and it was stout and accurate as heck and heavy enough to pretty much negate punishing recoil.
Pick up a rifle or two and see how it fits and feels.
John in Oregon

 

[Camp David]

Being a "traditionalist" I was hoping someone could point me in the right direction-I am thinking quality Hawken, .50 caliber, Jeremiah Johnson (ok, I admit it) stuff.

What do you want to use the "Hawken" for? Reenactments? Hunting? Display? You want flintlock or percussion? In any event, I would go for the .54 cal Hawken rather than the .50, all else being equal...or even the .58...
Fox Ridge Outfitters:
http://www.foxridgeoutfitters.com/detail.cfm?section=7&subsection=34,39&product=4823
has .54 and .58 models which are nice! The Fox Ridge "Renegade" model is no frills muzzleloader if you can't afford "Hawken"! But, as others have pointed out, Thompson Center Arm's "Hawken" in .50 is a quality piece:
http://www.tcarms.com/TC_HTML/TC_Muzzle_Hawken.htm
I would rather, however, go for a .54 or .58!
Cabelas offers either a .50 or .54:
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/t...te=various&rid=7510101020603&_requestid=21472

Depending on how much $ you have, might I recommend Restoration Firearms: http://restorationfirearms.com/OnlineCatalog.html
Take a peek at their Hawken! It's the Best I have ever seen!

 

[Border]

Thanks guys! I want to hunt with it-is there a need for 54 or 8 for elk etc.?

I like traditional stuff but need not be a "purist" i.e there is both glass and carbon in my recurve so if I should steer away from flintlock, etc. let me know. I don't need a rifle once owned by a mountain man but I definitely want a "keeper" if you know what I mean and not something I would be looking to trade up down the road.

Thanks again for so much help!

Steve

 

[oregonjohn]

Hey Border. I have had a number each of flintlocks and percussion guns and find the flintlocks, when tuned and dependable to be the most fun. However, overall, percussion locks may be a little more reliable in crappy weather but no guarantee. I have a flintlock musket from Loyalist Arms that is the most dependable front stuffer I have ever owned... flint or percussion.
Good luck on your choice!
John in Oregon....
PS. Beware, front stuffers are for certain habit-forming...betcha you don't just end up with one....

 

[Smokin_Gun]

.54 cal Percussion Lyman Great Plains Rifle

If you want more authentic Lyman is the way to go it'll last you a lifetime...don't sell it. Just add to your colletion with something differant. Youi won't find a better Rifle for it's price.

 

[Stickjockey]

Hey Steve-

You don't show a location; if you're in the Portland area, give me a PM and I'll let you try mine out. I need more powder residue in my bloodstream anyway.

 

[Moriarty]

I'll add my recommendation on the percussion .54 Lyman Great Plains. Mine is about 20 years old now and it's still my favorite.

I'd like to get into a flint rifle. (Yeah, yeah, when I have time... ) How do the Lyman GP flintlocks stack up?

 

[oregonjohn]

I don't personally own a Great Plains flinter, but have shot one some. Good bud has one and it works great. Gotta know how to knap flints (easy), figure out bevel up or bevel down (easy), and go have some fun. It is a fun way to make smoke...a bit more of a challenge but lotsa fun.
John in Oregon (Coos Bay)

 

[Stickjockey]

I've only shot a flintlock GPR once, but I was suitably impressed. The quick lock time surprised me.

 

[rick_reno]

Border,

See if you can locate some folks in your area that can let you try their guns out. It's a great way to see which one might appeal to you.

You asked about 54 v 50 for elk - I hunted elk for about 10 years with a 54, and few years ago switched to a 50. Easier to carry. works just as well.

 

[Border]

Thanks guys, you've all been great! One more quick question-when did percussion come into play historically? I want to "shoot like the pioneers" but not make it TOO hard on myself if I can do that in "percussion style!"

Thanks again!

Steve

 

[Stickjockey]

Considering that the percussion cap was invented in 1816, I'd say that would qualify as "shooting like the pioneers."