Black Powder rifle purchase...

Jakem952 · October 9, 2001, 02:52 PM

I am considering buying a black powder rifle for the upcoming season and I have a few questions. What should I look for when purchasing a rifle? Are there any brand names I should check first? We sale a particular type of black powder rifle, but I want to make sure it is a beginner type rifle. What should I know about a rifle, that I am considering to purchase?

Thanks
Jake

What do you think about the rifle below found at TAPCO?

http://www.tapco.com/store/prodinfo....em=12&back=yes

cjc · October 10, 2001, 08:41 AM

Jake,
Welcome to the sport of muzzleloading. You didn't mention what you plan on hunting, so I will assume it is deer. First check you local regulations. Every state is a bit different with what they will and won' allow. Caliber, sights and ignition systems are the primary things to check on.

Once you know what is legal I would get something in the range of a .45 to .54 caliber for deer. .50 calibers are the most popular and offer the widest selection of guns, projectiles and powder.

Twist rate of the gun is also important. Fast twists (1:32) and faster are meant to shoot conicals and sabots. 1:48 twist is an middle ground twist and normally can handle conicals, sabots and patch and ball if you are willing to work on your load a bit. The really slow twists (1:60) and slower are meant to shoot patch and ball. All are very effective on game, sabots typically give you the most range.

Traditional vs. In-line sytle gun is really a personal choice. Don't believe that just because it looks modern that it will shoot better than a tradtional gun, and don't listen to anyone who says traditional cap locks are harder to shoot than an in-line. Don't get a flintlock however if it is your first gun (unless a flintlock is required by law). They do require a bit more skill to shoot.

As for the gun you show. It will most likely work as a beginner's gun. Most of the really cheap ML have decent barrels, which result in decent accuracey, but skimp on the other components. If you get the gun don't expect it to last for years and years without problems. But if $$ are a concern, and you don't want to invest a lot because you are not sure if its for you it may be a good way to go. If you decide ML shooting is something you are going to stick with plan on getting a better gun.

I've got some good articles on my site that go into more detail about selecting a ML you may want to browse over and check it out.

BTW if you hunt is quickly approaching - you may want to wait until next years hunt. You should spend a good amount of time at the range- shooting from different positions and at different distances getting to know you gun before the hunt. A couple of rounds the night before will make for a frustating hunt, when you miss, or spend too much time fumbling with equipment trying to load the gun, or even worse wounding an animal becuase YOU didn't take the time to practice before the hunt.

cjc

**4V50 Gary** · October 10, 2001, 12:26 PM

While I don't particularly care for in-lines, they are good reliable muzzleloaders in their own right. If I had to get one and had the ducats, I'd look into the one by Savage. Savage claims you can use "smokeless" powder in their guns. Whoeee! Talk about velocity and best of all, no incessant cleaning.

Turning back to the one from Tapco, get it if you just want a starter gun to learn the basics. Why spend big bucks on something you're just starting with? BTW, my first rifle was a cheap $45 kit gun marketed by Markwell Arms (traditional wood stock percussion).

Jakem952 · October 18, 2001, 03:27 PM

I purchased the one from TAPCO. Father has already shot the rifle and he says that it is very smooth and accurate. I will be able to test it out myself this weekend.

Thanks
Jake

fastforty · October 19, 2001, 12:34 AM

Geeze, for that price, don't think you could go wrong. Grab yourself several types of projectiles & have a *blast* this weekend

October 9, 2001, 02:52 PM	#1
Jakem952 Junior Member Join Date: July 31, 2001 Posts: 8	Black Powder rifle purchase... I am considering buying a black powder rifle for the upcoming season and I have a few questions. What should I look for when purchasing a rifle? Are there any brand names I should check first? We sale a particular type of black powder rifle, but I want to make sure it is a beginner type rifle. What should I know about a rifle, that I am considering to purchase? Thanks Jake What do you think about the rifle below found at TAPCO? http://www.tapco.com/store/prodinfo....em=12&back=yes

October 10, 2001, 08:41 AM	#2
cjc Member Join Date: November 15, 2000 Location: Utah Posts: 40	Jake, Welcome to the sport of muzzleloading. You didn't mention what you plan on hunting, so I will assume it is deer. First check you local regulations. Every state is a bit different with what they will and won' allow. Caliber, sights and ignition systems are the primary things to check on. Once you know what is legal I would get something in the range of a .45 to .54 caliber for deer. .50 calibers are the most popular and offer the widest selection of guns, projectiles and powder. Twist rate of the gun is also important. Fast twists (1:32) and faster are meant to shoot conicals and sabots. 1:48 twist is an middle ground twist and normally can handle conicals, sabots and patch and ball if you are willing to work on your load a bit. The really slow twists (1:60) and slower are meant to shoot patch and ball. All are very effective on game, sabots typically give you the most range. Traditional vs. In-line sytle gun is really a personal choice. Don't believe that just because it looks modern that it will shoot better than a tradtional gun, and don't listen to anyone who says traditional cap locks are harder to shoot than an in-line. Don't get a flintlock however if it is your first gun (unless a flintlock is required by law). They do require a bit more skill to shoot. As for the gun you show. It will most likely work as a beginner's gun. Most of the really cheap ML have decent barrels, which result in decent accuracey, but skimp on the other components. If you get the gun don't expect it to last for years and years without problems. But if $$ are a concern, and you don't want to invest a lot because you are not sure if its for you it may be a good way to go. If you decide ML shooting is something you are going to stick with plan on getting a better gun. I've got some good articles on my site that go into more detail about selecting a ML you may want to browse over and check it out. BTW if you hunt is quickly approaching - you may want to wait until next years hunt. You should spend a good amount of time at the range- shooting from different positions and at different distances getting to know you gun before the hunt. A couple of rounds the night before will make for a frustating hunt, when you miss, or spend too much time fumbling with equipment trying to load the gun, or even worse wounding an animal becuase YOU didn't take the time to practice before the hunt. cjc __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Check out my black powder site at: www.angelfire.com/home/oldguns

October 10, 2001, 12:26 PM	#3
4V50 Gary Staff Join Date: November 2, 1998 Location: Colorado Posts: 21,843	While I don't particularly care for in-lines, they are good reliable muzzleloaders in their own right. If I had to get one and had the ducats, I'd look into the one by Savage. Savage claims you can use "smokeless" powder in their guns. Whoeee! Talk about velocity and best of all, no incessant cleaning. Turning back to the one from Tapco, get it if you just want a starter gun to learn the basics. Why spend big bucks on something you're just starting with? BTW, my first rifle was a cheap $45 kit gun marketed by Markwell Arms (traditional wood stock percussion). __________________ Vigilantibus et non dormientibus jura subveniunt. *Molon Labe!*

October 18, 2001, 03:27 PM	#4
Jakem952 Junior Member Join Date: July 31, 2001 Posts: 8	Made the purchase... I purchased the one from TAPCO. Father has already shot the rifle and he says that it is very smooth and accurate. I will be able to test it out myself this weekend. Thanks Jake

October 19, 2001, 12:34 AM	#5
fastforty Senior Member Join Date: December 28, 1999 Location: In a kornfield in kalifornia Posts: 1,161	Geeze, for that price, don't think you could go wrong. Grab yourself several types of projectiles & have a blast this weekend __________________ When Banjos are outlawed, only Outlaws will have Banjos The Bible is my lawbook. I turn the other cheek when applicable, and spend the rest of my days resisting evil at every front, until I have breathed my last breath.