What long rifle to buy?

[Doc Rogers]

There are similar threads out there but I am looking to buy a percussion pennsylvania .50 cal long rifle that looks authentic and am not sure what to purchase. I've hunted for years with "modern" rifles but want to try BP. I can spend up to $1000.00 and want to get the best one I can in that range. I looked at the "Traditions Pennsylvania .50 cal long rifle" and like it but have no experience with BP rifles at all.

Any suggestions on what you would purchase or feedback on similar rifles that you have?

Thanks,
Doc Rogers

 

[Ranger 40]

If you are spending in the $1000,00 range don't buy an import. You can buy an American made custom for that. TVM Mat Avance Corinth,Miss. can make you a poor boy with a GM 42" Large Siler Lock, Davis triggers Etc. This is all American parts and thats very important in flint locks, or Perc. Locks.
You might also check TVM {Defferent Company} Jack Garner. The American locks makers will replace parts at no charge. It is usally a grind to get parts from the Off Shore Boys. The GM barrels are far better than the import barrels.
Check the TVMs out on the Web.

 

[arcticap]

The Traditions Pennsylvania rifle (with the 40 inch barrel) is a good value for the money, but it probably costs only 1/2 as much (or less) as you're willing to spend.
There's some muzzle loading websites where many custom and semi-custom rifle builders frequent. They sometimes display their work before they sell or ship them, and sometimes their guns end up for sale on this large muzzle loader supplier's website on consignment. What's nice is that there is a stated return policy if you're not happy with it upon arrival, especially since you're not buying it in person. I'm sure that a lot of rifles have been sold over the holidays, and the builders can only make them one at a time, so you need to keep going back often to see what's new for sale.
And you never know what might suit your fancy!

So visit this Minnesota co.'s homepage and click on the percussion link next to "guns for sale", then click on whatever you're interested in to see more pictures and a full description:

http://www.trackofthewolf.com/

 

[Phillip Allen]

It may not be a Penn rifle but I like the Dixie Tennessee rifle...I have built a number of their kits (used to sell them) and found them to be reliable and hansome...they shoot best with oversized balls....495-.498. One that I sold has taken a number of deer and bear here in Arkansas (flint version)

 

[sundance44s]

Sundance44s

I`d also suggest giveing Matt a call at TVM ...and take a look at their site on here .... good well built rifles but to fit you . Matt is an active member of the same Black Powder Club I`m in and i can tell ya he is good people to deal with .

 

[MacPelto]

I would suggest joining the muzzleloading forum and looking through the classifieds there. There's plenty in the 1k range, especially if you're not against buying used, but including new ones as well.

Mac

 

[Loyalist Dave]

For under $500.00 you should look at the Cabella's Blue Ridge Hunter. It's a Pedersoli product, and tends to be a good shooter with a robust lock. I don't like the Traditions rifle, as the lock on the one I bought was very weak. TVM as well as Early Rustic Arms make good "semi-custom" guns, meaning they make proper rifles, with minor variations, themselves, not in a factory. You should also look at consignment guns at Track of The Wolf. FYI, be sure to look at the wood to lock fit, and the amount of wood to the rear of the lock. I have seen some pretty costly long rifles with bad gaps between the wood around the lock and the lock plate. I don't care how nice the engraving is, if the lock isn't properly fitted, the gun is junk. (Since you mentioned caplock you don't have to worry about touch-hole placement.) The other obvious problem is too much wood to the rear of the lock as part of the lock area. Not a functional problem, just cosmetic, but if you're going to drop 900-1200 bucks on a plain rifle, the basics of stock appearence should be part of the deal. I had to wait six months for one to show up that I liked, but I got a great rifle for under $1000 from Track.

LD

 

[dwave]

I have Cabelas Blue Ridge Rifle and I can say I love it, my favorite BP rifle I have ever had. It is really a Pedersoli Frontier rifle.

 

[B.D. Turner]

You should check out Dixie Gun Works they have new and used BP rifles both import and domestic. I have owned two Dixie Rifles and they were fine rifles. If you run across a Bill Large muzzleloader they are fine rifles too the barrel will be marked "WG Large" in a half moon. They have a gain twist barrel and are very accurate.

 

[Tbu61]

I have to agree that Track of the Wolf is a great place to look for consignments.
Just don't drool too much!

 

[hank327]

Jack Gardner, Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading

I have two long rifles built for me by Jack Garner of Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading. One is a .50 caliber Tennessee Rifle done in the "poor boy" style.
It has a 40" barrel rifled 1 turn in 60" to shoot patched round balls. The rifle is exteremly accurate using .490 patches and cotton pillow ticking for patches.
If I do my part, it will shoot under 1" at 100 yards of the bench. I'm talking 3 shot clover leaf groups. This rifle may be the most mechanically accurate of all my rifles, including modern bolt action centerfire hunting rifles.

The other rifle is a .40 caliber Southern Rifle that I use as a squirrel gun and it too is extremely accurate. I bought these a few years ago and paid about $600.00 each for them. I think Jack builds a very high quality rifle for the price.
Here is the link to TVM's web page.

http://www.avsia.com/tvm/

It's a rather basic site, and I suggest you give them a call if you are interested in getting more info. They are really nice folks and are a pleasure to do business with.