Traditions Buckhunter Pro

38splfan · December 1, 2006, 01:06 PM

Hello to all,

I'd like some information on the Traditions Buckhunter Pro inline pistol. It's available in 3 barrel lengths, stainless or blue (with synthetic or wood grip/forearm, accordingly) in .45 or .50.
You can get them from their webpage retail www.traditionsfirearms.com or Bass Pro Shops has them in their Blackpowder section.
Does anyone have one of them? If so, which variant? Do you like it? Is it accurate? How far would you feel comfortable shooting it? (Advertised accurate range is 50-60 yards with loose FFg.) Have you taken it to the feild, or just the range?
I'm thinking about the 12.5" .50 in blued steel with the wood grip and forearm. Adding a fixed 2-power pistol scope and getting one of the combo hiking staff/monopods to shoot from. As it is one of the few inline pistols I've found, and one of the only ones I've seen to use #11 caps (no 209 in WA) I think it might see some deer use next season

Any opinions, guys and gals?

marcseatac · December 1, 2006, 04:14 PM

I like that, would love to give one a spin. Wonder if it generates enough ft/lbs of energy to be legal? If so, then it would be great!

Daves-got-guns · December 1, 2006, 05:16 PM

i thought about the concept, and it sounds good but i don't think they have quite enough barrel to reach a full house velocity with that bp. If it would reach even light .44 mag levels i wouldn't mind carrying one with a hardcast .50 slug. If you buy one please report on how well it works.

38splfan · December 2, 2006, 01:07 AM

The ad blurb on their page says balls or conicals/sabots, and the owners manual (download from their page in PDF) says that 50-60 grains is the max accurate charge (tested) and that 80 is the max safe charge, recommending FFg or equivalent.

I think the right combo could produce .44 special or maybe light .357 performace. As I'm planning to keep shots well within 75 yards, I think that performance levels should be adequete.

arcticap · December 2, 2006, 01:08 AM

I had the long barreled .45 but only shot it on one occassion before someone offered to buy it. I thought the gun would end up being a handful with full house loads, a little bit too much for my recoil sensitivity. But the ignition was very fast and strong, and I didn't attach the threaded muzzle brake.
The thread protector which screws on to protect the muzzle brake threads does hinder loading of patched round balls just like many claim the TC QLA muzzle feature does. It creates a short gap before the rifling begins and the patched ball can sink into it and cause the ball to not be centered in the patch. The muzzle protector should be removed to load PRB's, but it might actually help load conicals and sabots. Since I'm more of a round ball shooter, I would recommend the non-muzzle brake model for shooting PRB's.
Also, the .45 has a little faster twist than the .50 caliber model, and that model shoots round balls very well according to one poster [the twists are 1 in 20" vs. 1 in 28"].
There is no stainless steel model, it's electro-plated nickel. I have a Traditions Deerhunter in nickel and it's a very durable finish, more slippery and easier to clean. It might be more desirable for shooting sabots and conicals.
The fellow that bought my pistol had a .50 caliber also, and was familiar with the model and wanted another caliber. I believe that it would exceed the power of a .357 magnum without much doubt, but controlling a long barrel is the challenge.
It was fun to shoot and would benefit from a scope for long range shooting. I found it to be a chore to clean because of the nooks and crannies, and the barrel attachment system is a little bit odd. It consists of a bolt and a non-removable cone shaped bushing/nut which attaches the barrel to the frame in a cross bolt type fashion very securely, but which over time might require a replacement due to thread wear. The receiver housing can accumulate fouling, and that increases the amount of cleaning necessary.
A loading stand is nearly a necessity to load these pistols, and out in the field this might be another problem. A scope might make that even more difficult to accomplish.
It has a smaller/medium but very ergonomic grip which I really liked, but again, because of the amount of felt recoil with even the smallish 777 loads I was shooting, the difficulties with loading PRB's, the extra cleaning chore associated with this particular model of inline pistol, the peculiar barrel attachment feature, and the overall challenge of holding the long barrel steady without a benched type pistol rest, I decided to sell rather than keep it.
In closing, the pistol featured relatively shallow groove rifling which may be more conducive to shooting sabots, but since I never tried out sabots or conicals, I can't say how they would shoot.
A very fun but somewhat tedious gun to shoot. A scope would definitely add extra barrel weight to help tame the felt recoil/muzzle rise of shooting heavier hunting loads.

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.ph...buckhunter+pro

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.ph...buckhunter+pro

http://thehighroad.org/showthread.ph...buckhunter+pro

Here's another pistol to consider pictured near the bottom of the page:

http://www.kahnkegunworks.com/index.html

Interchangable barrels & price list:
http://www.kahnkegunworks.com/prices.html

38splfan · December 2, 2006, 02:01 AM

Thank you for the info and the links. I should really join The High Road one day.

I was especially happy to here about the PRB success and the the Maxi-Balls.
I like both from my T/C Hawken and that is likely what I would use.

I will definitely be scoping mine. When I shoot an animal, I want to be accurate and humane and put it down as easily (for both me and the deer) as possible. The Simmons Pro Hunter (fixed 2x) looked like a good compliment to these pistols.

I would also be shooting from the GunPod extendable hiking-staff/monopod, to limit the barrel weight and stability issues.
You are right about the finish. Guess I should have read more and oogled less

But the nickel should still be a good durable finish.

Overall, I think it looks like a good deal and if it doesn't work out, I'm not out TOO much $$. It should definitely be fun. As most people mentioned success with PRB over 50 grains (loose FFg or FFFg) in the reviews I've read, i think I'll start there.

Edit: As for the compensator, I'm definitely looking at the models that include it. I'll simply remove it to load. I think that it will help tremendously with hefty .50 loads.

38splfan · December 2, 2006, 02:22 AM

The Kahnke pistols are beautiful, and look to be very high quality. However, the army doesn't pay me quite enough for those yet. Especially since this will be my first foray into a purpose built BP pistol for hunting.

Bass Pro Shops has the nickle compensated .50 listed for $299, and the blued 12.5" .50 for $279.

Those Kahnke weapons are beautiful, though.

December 2, 2006, 01:07 AM	#4
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Hey guys. The ad blurb on their page says balls or conicals/sabots, and the owners manual (download from their page in PDF) says that 50-60 grains is the max accurate charge (tested) and that 80 is the max safe charge, recommending FFg or equivalent. I think the right combo could produce .44 special or maybe light .357 performace. As I'm planning to keep shots well within 75 yards, I think that performance levels should be adequete. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

December 2, 2006, 01:08 AM	#5
arcticap Senior Member Join Date: March 15, 2005 Location: Central Connecticut Posts: 3,166	I had the long barreled .45 but only shot it on one occassion before someone offered to buy it. I thought the gun would end up being a handful with full house loads, a little bit too much for my recoil sensitivity. But the ignition was very fast and strong, and I didn't attach the threaded muzzle brake. The thread protector which screws on to protect the muzzle brake threads does hinder loading of patched round balls just like many claim the TC QLA muzzle feature does. It creates a short gap before the rifling begins and the patched ball can sink into it and cause the ball to not be centered in the patch. The muzzle protector should be removed to load PRB's, but it might actually help load conicals and sabots. Since I'm more of a round ball shooter, I would recommend the non-muzzle brake model for shooting PRB's. Also, the .45 has a little faster twist than the .50 caliber model, and that model shoots round balls very well according to one poster [the twists are 1 in 20" vs. 1 in 28"]. There is no stainless steel model, it's electro-plated nickel. I have a Traditions Deerhunter in nickel and it's a very durable finish, more slippery and easier to clean. It might be more desirable for shooting sabots and conicals. The fellow that bought my pistol had a .50 caliber also, and was familiar with the model and wanted another caliber. I believe that it would exceed the power of a .357 magnum without much doubt, but controlling a long barrel is the challenge. It was fun to shoot and would benefit from a scope for long range shooting. I found it to be a chore to clean because of the nooks and crannies, and the barrel attachment system is a little bit odd. It consists of a bolt and a non-removable cone shaped bushing/nut which attaches the barrel to the frame in a cross bolt type fashion very securely, but which over time might require a replacement due to thread wear. The receiver housing can accumulate fouling, and that increases the amount of cleaning necessary. A loading stand is nearly a necessity to load these pistols, and out in the field this might be another problem. A scope might make that even more difficult to accomplish. It has a smaller/medium but very ergonomic grip which I really liked, but again, because of the amount of felt recoil with even the smallish 777 loads I was shooting, the difficulties with loading PRB's, the extra cleaning chore associated with this particular model of inline pistol, the peculiar barrel attachment feature, and the overall challenge of holding the long barrel steady without a benched type pistol rest, I decided to sell rather than keep it. In closing, the pistol featured relatively shallow groove rifling which may be more conducive to shooting sabots, but since I never tried out sabots or conicals, I can't say how they would shoot. A very fun but somewhat tedious gun to shoot. A scope would definitely add extra barrel weight to help tame the felt recoil/muzzle rise of shooting heavier hunting loads. http://thehighroad.org/showthread.ph...buckhunter+pro http://thehighroad.org/showthread.ph...buckhunter+pro http://thehighroad.org/showthread.ph...buckhunter+pro Here's another pistol to consider pictured near the bottom of the page: http://www.kahnkegunworks.com/index.html Interchangable barrels & price list: http://www.kahnkegunworks.com/prices.html Last edited by arcticap; December 2, 2006 at 12:47 PM.

December 2, 2006, 02:01 AM	#6
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Thank you. Thank you for the info and the links. I should really join The High Road one day. I was especially happy to here about the PRB success and the the Maxi-Balls. I like both from my T/C Hawken and that is likely what I would use. I will definitely be scoping mine. When I shoot an animal, I want to be accurate and humane and put it down as easily (for both me and the deer) as possible. The Simmons Pro Hunter (fixed 2x) looked like a good compliment to these pistols. I would also be shooting from the GunPod extendable hiking-staff/monopod, to limit the barrel weight and stability issues. You are right about the finish. Guess I should have read more and oogled less But the nickel should still be a good durable finish. Overall, I think it looks like a good deal and if it doesn't work out, I'm not out TOO much $$. It should definitely be fun. As most people mentioned success with PRB over 50 grains (loose FFg or FFFg) in the reviews I've read, i think I'll start there. Edit: As for the compensator, I'm definitely looking at the models that include it. I'll simply remove it to load. I think that it will help tremendously with hefty .50 loads. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

December 2, 2006, 02:22 AM	#7
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Kahnke Pistols The Kahnke pistols are beautiful, and look to be very high quality. However, the army doesn't pay me quite enough for those yet. Especially since this will be my first foray into a purpose built BP pistol for hunting. Bass Pro Shops has the nickle compensated .50 listed for $299, and the blued 12.5" .50 for $279. Those Kahnke weapons are beautiful, though. __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

December 1, 2006, 01:06 PM	#1
38splfan Senior Member Join Date: November 19, 2004 Location: Ft. Lewis/Tacoma, WA. Posts: 1,034	Traditions Buckhunter Pro Hello to all, I'd like some information on the Traditions Buckhunter Pro inline pistol. It's available in 3 barrel lengths, stainless or blue (with synthetic or wood grip/forearm, accordingly) in .45 or .50. You can get them from their webpage retail www.traditionsfirearms.com or Bass Pro Shops has them in their Blackpowder section. Does anyone have one of them? If so, which variant? Do you like it? Is it accurate? How far would you feel comfortable shooting it? (Advertised accurate range is 50-60 yards with loose FFg.) Have you taken it to the feild, or just the range? I'm thinking about the 12.5" .50 in blued steel with the wood grip and forearm. Adding a fixed 2-power pistol scope and getting one of the combo hiking staff/monopods to shoot from. As it is one of the few inline pistols I've found, and one of the only ones I've seen to use #11 caps (no 209 in WA) I think it might see some deer use next season Any opinions, guys and gals? __________________ "I won't be wronged, I won't be insulted, and I won't be laid a hand on. I don't do these things to others and I expect the same from them." - John Wayne

December 1, 2006, 04:14 PM	#2
marcseatac Senior Member Join Date: October 7, 2006 Posts: 225	I like that, would love to give one a spin. Wonder if it generates enough ft/lbs of energy to be legal? If so, then it would be great!

December 1, 2006, 05:16 PM	#3
Daves-got-guns Senior Member Join Date: November 14, 2006 Location: Marysville Washington Posts: 291	i thought about the concept, and it sounds good but i don't think they have quite enough barrel to reach a full house velocity with that bp. If it would reach even light .44 mag levels i wouldn't mind carrying one with a hardcast .50 slug. If you buy one please report on how well it works.