What muzzle loader to get?

[AK all day]

I really would like, and have always wanted to some extent, to get a muzzle loading rifle. I was really attracted to the Pedersoli Enfield Musketoon, but not too excited about the price tag.... maybe I'm being cheap, but I don't really want to spend that much on a muzzle loader.

If there is anybody here that has a recommendation for a first time black power user, it would be greatly appreciated. I really did want to stay in the percussion era as well. Thanks!

[Crunch130]

Lyman Great Plains Rifle. You can get multiple barrels for it; a slow twist for round balls and a fast twist for saboted modern bullets.

Crunch

[Mutant]

What do you want to do with it? Lyman Great Plains is a very good generic choice, as Crunch130 states, but there are many models for many uses.

[Eljay]

Yeah, the Lyman Great Plains is the standard starter rifle. Comes in left and right hand, percussion and flint, .50 and .54, and in kit form if you want to finish it yourself (more work than you would think, don't get a kit just to save money). They're imported from Italy, they don't actually make them here.

Pedersolis have nicer fit and finish, no question, and usually really nice walnut stocks. They're probably the nicest of the factory guns.

You might also consider a cap and ball revolver. Cabelas always has some on sale. Get the Pietta version of the 1858 or 1860 to start. 1858's a little more newbie friendly. Most people feel like the 1860 points a little better but it can be kind of a pain. Details on request.

Or for that matter single shot pistols are a little easier to deal with and cheaper than the rifles - but less so than you would think since there's still a lot of labor involved. Lyman makes a matching Great Plains Pistol (I did one from a kit - very satisfying but still a lot of work) and Pedersoli makes quite a few really nice ones.

[Eljay]

PS see http://www.trackofthewolf.com/Catego...LYMAN-GPR-54-P

[AK all day]

Well, I really am not too interested in any kind of pistol, while interesting, it's not exactly what I'm looking for.

I don't plan to really do anything with the rifle besides target shoot with it, and also display the little guy. I might not mind shooting a coyote with one if the mood struck me.

I like the Lyman rifles, they seem nice with many options. I was really aiming for a shorter barrel, similiar to the Musketoon, and would prefer shooting sabots, but nothing crazy expensive, just lead hunks for recreation shooting.

I considered the kits at one point, but I turned away because I was told exactly what you guys said, it's a lot of work, and for a first rifle of this kind, I don't want the issues. Thanks guys!

[Eljay]

What's the appeal of the sabots? Patched round ball is going to be cheaper and more accurate. If you were hunting and wanted a flatter trajectory maybe (although at muzzleloader hunting distances it's not really an issue), but if you're shooting at fixed targets there's no point.

The 32" barrel on the Lymans is actually fairly short by muzzleloader standards! It's a half stock so it's not all that heavy, balance should be decent. I can think of some shorter options but I don't think any of them are going to be cheaper than a decent Musketoon reproduction (24").

[Paul_R]

Another Lyman fan here. Can't say enough good things about my great plains with two barrels. If 32" is too long they make a trade rifle with a 28" that keeps the traditional lines and has a single trigger and brass furniture. Their deerstalker is shorter yet at 24" but is only sort of traditional.

[Eljay]

Just wanted to second the above - the Zouave reproductions can be very nice - Zoli made a really nice one (imported by Navy Arms). A lot of reenactors are moving to more appropriate weapons - the Zouave was introduced right at the end of the war and wasn't really used - so you can get them really cheap as they're sold off. It can shoot minie balls or roundball. I paid $350 for mine including shipping and it was pretty much pristine. Mine's super accurate but it took a a few tries to find a perfect fit - the minie balls are only accurate if you find the exact right size for your gun (mine shoots great with .578 and .575 barely hits paper). It's pretty light/pointable by muzzleloader standards but it's reasonably long.

re: the deerstalker - good idea - the main problem is the rubber buttplate. If that doesn't bug you, people seem to like them otherwise.

[toby]

Lyman,CVA,Traditions,T/C, Pedersoli,Cabelas. All good choices and all can be found used for wasy less than new if your willing to go used. Try to get something with 2 barrels like a 50 and a 54 cal.

[AK all day]

Okay thanks guys! I will look into Lyman, traditions, and Pedersoli more! Anyone selling one?

[Eljay]

You may as well poke around here and see if anything floats your boat: http://www.trackofthewolf.com/List/Item.aspx/492/1

[Cody_2ZZ]

I guess I'm with everyone else. You can't go wrong with the Lyman for an entry-level gun. If you want it mainly for target shooting, I'd opt for a longer, heavier gun. And you're probably best off with a .50, although some guys prefer the .45. Remember that the caliber you choose will affect the long-term cost. Think of lead and powder for .45 at 60 grains of powder vs. .50 at 65-70 grains vs. .54 at 70 grains, etc. Lead and powder aren't getting any cheaper, so if you're looking for the most bang for your buck and won't be shooting much past 100 yds. or so, a .45 might work best for you.

[Tanner68]

I started with the Lymans Great Plains, and every one of my buddies have too. Love it. Got the percussion in 54 cal. I have anchored some deer with it. And it is one of my favorite guns for plinking and target shooting. The BP addiction has me bad. I started shooting my 1858, and picked up an 1860. And I am shopping for a flintlock for small game and target shooting.

OP, if that gun appeals to you, go for it. It looks like a lot of fun to shoot. You will probably have a lot of pride in the gun and your ability to shoot it. Factor that against the money you would save with another rifle.

My only question.... with most muzzle loaders, clean up is fairly simple. But with minies, and not using a patch, does lead buildup complicate things and take away from the pleasure?

[Eljay]

I haven't had any trouble with leading in minies. The rifling is really shallow and the minies are lubed and the velocity isn't that high and it just doesn't seem to stick very much. They're really fast to load which is fun. The only gotcha is that you can't do much load development (vary out of 50-60 grains and the skirt won't flare properly) and if you don't get the exact right size it won't be accurate. Plus the store bought rounds are really badly made and expensive. It's a lot more practical if you can cast your own.

The good news is that the minie ball guns can also run patched round ball and are usually more accurate once you get the load figured out. So if you bought a Zouave you wouldn't HAVE to run minies while you're trying to work that out.