What muzzle loader to get?

[Tanner68]

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.

I learned a lot from your post. Gracias!

[Eljay]

Happy to help.

[Paul_R]

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

If you go with Lyman you won't find a lower price for a new one than DNR

http://www.dnrsports.com/muzzleloading/muzzleloader-accessories/rifles-kits

[Old Scribe]

I started years ago with a .50 Cabellas. It was/is made by T/C. I still have it, tho' I shoot a custom flinter now. Can't go wrong with the Lyman. I'd stick with one caliber, round ball twist and keep it simple until you get the hang of a smokepole.

[Tom-ADC]

ST Louis Hawkin by CVA unfired .50 cal. Drive to San Diego $315 and you'll have everything you need to make a range trip, one stop shopping.

[6mmintl]

I HAVE TWO PEDERSOLI TYRON/PLAINS TYPE RIFLES (EXTREMELY ACCURATE AND WELL MADE) AND A KENTUCKY RIFLE.

ALL ACCURATE.

[AK all day]

Thanks everyone! I'm holding off on buying for now, but I am going to look extensively at my options, and potentially look into the used market, as I see prices can be a lot lower! Thanks again!

[6mmintl]

I have a used .58 cal Zouave rifle for sale if interested.

[AK all day]

How much were you looking to get?

[Darto]

I think a flintlock is 100 times more fun than a percussion. Lyman GPR in flintlock. Slow twist so that it shoots round balls better (as opposed to a slow twist which shoots modern shaped slug bullets better). In flintlocks the English flints are so far above the rest in quality (I mean the stones not the gun). You won't find English flints in local guns stores: Dixie Gun Works and Track Of Wolf has them. A flint has about 20-30 shots on each end of the flint.

[Tom-ADC]

Here's a sort of modern upgrade on a old style rifle. .50 cal laminated stock, set triggers & fiber optic sights. Shoots fine

[Eljay]

I think a flintlock is 100 times more fun than a percussion.

You definitely get more points at the range. People think any kind of black powder is cool but they see that rock and their jaws just kind of drop.

[bigbossman]

What's the appeal of the sabots?

If you're hunting in the Condor Zone, you need lead-free. That usually means a saboted copper bullet.

[Eljay]

Good point. That being said, there have been some folks experimenting with patched round ball that's not lead... brass I think but I couldn't swear to it.