Gun (black powder) recomendations

[jslo]

Going hunting with a buddy for black powder season. I need to get a gun, and not knowing how well I'll like it, was looking for recommendations on something "decent" that won't break the bank. What should I be looking for? Entry level Thompson Center adequate? Thanks for any suggestions/recommendations.

[Jherexx]

Get yourself a CVA or Traditions kit, everything you need except for powder and primers and usually under $200.

[sniper7]

They are all about the same any more. Cva Thompson and many others. Get at least a .50 cal.

Go out and shoot it a lot, and not just from a bench. Shoot offhand, prone on a hill, resting on a tree branch etc. real world positions.

Clean it often and keep it dry!

[02ducky]

Thompson build kit, fun to do and you learn a lot about the gun that way too.

[palepainter]

50 cal min....54 if your are going to give Elk a try. Watch the rate of twist on them too. If you are going to hunt here in CO, you will want a 1:48 twist for the loads. Any thing slower than that is great for target shooting with patch and ball. The longer barrels are nice. I have a few here that I shoot. My fave is my 44 in barreled PA Long Rifle 50 cal in flintlock. But like mentioned above, you can get into a nice kit if you want. They pop up all the time on the net.

[BPTactical]

Traditional all the way.

[MarkCO]

Traditional all the way.

Makes sure to read the regulations. There are several for BP season and I know more than one person who has screwed up by not knowing the regulations.

[encorehunter]

I would suggest you stay away from the Traditions. They do not have a bridle on the lock, therefore it is more common for the mainspring to break. I don't know if they have fixed this problem in the last few years. I have several Thompson Center muzzleloaders and they are great. Most are short and handy. CVA makes a Bobcat model that is inexpensive and good quality. I used to buy them for around $50 from Walmart. I donated several to 4H clubs across the state. If you want to get into a better quality muzzleloader, look at the Lyman Plains rifles. They are heavier, but the are outstanding quality. Try and hold a few different styles before purchasing. Do you want a full stock or half stock? Long or short barrel? Flint or percussion? I don't think you would want to be frustrated with a flinter the first time out. I agree with either the .50 or .54, that way you can hunt elk and moose if you want.

[longbow]

Is the BGC required for a muzzleloader? Don't mean to hijack the thread.

[BPTactical]

I would suggest you stay away from the Traditions. They do not have a bridle on the lock, therefore it is more common for the mainspring to break. I don't know if they have fixed this problem in the last few years. I have several Thompson Center muzzleloaders and they are great. Most are short and handy. CVA makes a Bobcat model that is inexpensive and good quality. I used to buy them for around $50 from Walmart. I donated several to 4H clubs across the state. If you want to get into a better quality muzzleloader, look at the Lyman Plains rifles. They are heavier, but the are outstanding quality. Try and hold a few different styles before purchasing. Do you want a full stock or half stock? Long or short barrel? Flint or percussion? I don't think you would want to be frustrated with a flinter the first time out. I agree with either the .50 or .54, that way you can hunt elk and moose if you want.

Not "Traditions", I meant a traditional vs an inline.

I will wholeheartedly agree with the Lyman Plains rifle. Very good rifle, a fun kit build and a reasonably accurate representation of a Plains style rifle(if you can get past the coil spring lock, I believe L&R makes a V spring drop in for the LPR).

If your planning on going after Wapiti, go with a .54. You will be glad you did.

[SamuraiCO]

50 cal min....54 if your are going to give Elk a try. Watch the rate of twist on them too. If you are going to hunt here in CO, you will want a 1:48 twist for the loads. Any thing slower than that is great for target shooting with patch and ball. The longer barrels are nice. I have a few here that I shoot. My fave is my 44 in barreled PA Long Rifle 50 cal in flintlock. But like mentioned above, you can get into a nice kit if you want. They pop up all the time on the net.

[Lars]

I bought a T/c encore last year. They are pricey but I like that I can switch out to a rifle barrel for the kid without having to buy a whole new rifle. The .50 is very accurate. I run 130gr. Of powder behind the hornady bullet and it shoot 2in groups at 200 yards. I looked at the CVA mountain rifle as well but decided on the t/c.

[sniper7]

Is the BGC required for a muzzleloader? Don't mean to hijack the thread.

Negative.

[sniper7]

I'll stick with my inline. You guys go ahead and miss opportunities with flintlocks and percussion. I've seen 4 elk walk away due to gun failures even though they were clean, no moisture the entire trip and the cap went off. Luckily it was never me behind the gun.

[longbow]

Negative.
Thanks, I put together a TC kit years ago but am looking for one for my daughter since we pulled some tags this year.

[Bentsight]

The Cabelas kits are great starters and the are available in flint or perc. They are also made by Invest Arms, the same company that makes the Lyman Great Plains rifles and pistols. The Great Plains is available in a 66" or 48" twist barrel but the Cabelas is only offered in a 48.
The 48" twist give you the option to shoot both patched round ball and sabots/conicals accurately over the slow twist barrels.

[jslo]

Thanks for the info guys. Thinking I need to study up a little more and maybe see if I can't swing 1 of each.
Inline for ease of use and a "traditional" for coolness.[Beer]

[whistlepig]

Check out the wal mart I got an inline 50 cal for my kid for 100.00 stainless barrel synthetic stock.

[CapLock]

I had my Hawken go pop instead of boom once with a big mule deer buck in front of me. I still wouldn't trade it for an inline

[palepainter]

If you want to check out a bunch of different BP rifles, you should go to the Ft Lupton Muzzleloader shoots. They have a calendar here. I missed it this weekend. There are two shoots a month generally.

http://www.spvhs.org/imagedocuments/FLMLCCalendar2013.pdf

If you ever want to go up, I have a few extra percussion rifles a in 50 cal. I also like to shoot my 44cal pistol.