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October 25, 2020, 06:59 PM | #1 |
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Question Smooth bore or Rifled
Hey all
In the next few months I'm looking to by a Black Powder replica long arm and trying to decide between a Smooth bore Musket (Brown Bess) Or a later Civil war percussion rifle! What do you guys think? Gary |
October 25, 2020, 07:11 PM | #2 |
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I think that is entirely personal. I'd prefer a rifle, but there is no wrong answer.
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October 25, 2020, 10:45 PM | #3 |
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flint v. percussion
A flintlock can be a quirky ignition system and you may find it frustrating if it is your first BP firearm. There are high quality flintlocks that are quick and reliable, but what yours would be, who can say?
I sold my last flinter a couple of years ago, and do not regret it. Percussion goes bang more reliably ( for me) and a rifled barrel provides sufficient accuracy and enough range to be satisfying every shot. Suit yourself, mine would be (and are) percussion and rifled. |
October 26, 2020, 08:19 AM | #4 |
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I have often said that if I had lived in Colonial times, I would have selected a nice light smoothbore fusil or fowling piece. With my uncorrected eyesight, a heavy rifle would have been no improvement.
I have seen folks struggling with repro flintlocks, although one friend has good luck/careful management with them. |
October 26, 2020, 10:45 AM | #5 | |
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Rifled-Percussion, Bayonet to boot !!!
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If your pocket-book can take the hit, look at the Pedersoli replicas. ..... Be Safe !!!
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October 26, 2020, 03:27 PM | #6 | |
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Quote:
Gary |
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October 26, 2020, 04:25 PM | #7 |
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A smooth bore "1861" is not a faithful replica. It might be one of those Indian (Hindoo) things.
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October 26, 2020, 05:04 PM | #8 |
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You didn’t say what you intended to do with it. If it’s just something to buy then it wouldn’t make a difference.
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October 26, 2020, 06:50 PM | #9 | |
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"In the Sprit"?
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That is where I have to make my measure or I wouldn't have anything to shoot. Lately, I have not seen Dixie, selling junk and haven't always been able to say that ..... Be Safe !!!
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October 26, 2020, 07:19 PM | #10 |
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If I want a smoothbore, there are repro 1842s.
Maybe a smoothbore Enfield like the British furnished their Indian troops. |
October 26, 2020, 07:43 PM | #11 |
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October 26, 2020, 09:11 PM | #12 | |
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Quote:
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October 26, 2020, 10:10 PM | #13 |
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Flint
I started my way into the world of BP long arms with a CVA .50 carbine. Shot it for some years. Eventually, though I tried flintlocks.....have shot nothing but rock guns since. First was a Lyman GPR....a great rifle and accurate .....but heavy. Looking for something lighter I stumbled into the world of flintlock Fowlers......elegant, light, smoothbores.
I bought my first from Matt Avance at Tennessee Valley Muzzleloaders. 20 Gauge. While it was not as light as i had hoped. It served for a couple of years while Mike Brooks made me a 16 gauge gun with a 42” barrel that weighed only a tad over six pounds. It is reliable....goes bang every time that I load it properly. Takes grouse, pheasant, rabbits and loaded with a lead round ball at 16 per pound good for deer at reasonable range. Target shooting......you will have more success with a rifle. The picture is three shots, benched, from that GPR that I mentioned. 100 yards, iron sights.
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October 27, 2020, 01:30 AM | #14 |
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Well, "target shooting" with a smoothbore mean 50 yds or less. "Target shooting" with a rifled musket can be out to 200 yds. From a used-to-be primitivist, get a rifle.
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October 27, 2020, 08:27 PM | #15 |
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think a "rilfe bore may sell better than a smoothbore.
I have three ML's. one T/C New Englander .50 CAl,a 12ga N.E, and a mossberg 50 ca, barrel for a M500. een looking to secure the .54 Cal., N.E. to complete the three some. |
October 28, 2020, 09:48 AM | #16 |
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I have had only one quality repro flint lock, a TC Hawkin. Seldom seen in Ohio where we were allowed percussion in deer season. Still PIA unless that’s your thing, it ain’t mine. The TC was quality piece but no Flinter likes the rain. I would opt for a cap lock rifle if I was buying my first. Also buy something deer legal in your state. Makes it easier to sell if you decide to get out. I dig out originals to trade into guns I do want. Signed originals have a big collector market. I bought a set of books on Ohio built guns for $140, worth twice the price.
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October 28, 2020, 01:46 PM | #17 |
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What's your budget?
A Brown Bess is kind of a pricey critter. A Pedersoli runs $1139.99 at Cabela's. A kit runs about $100ish less. Dixie wants $1550.00 for a Bess Trade gun. Traditions wants $879.00 for an 1861 percussion Springfield kit. Dixie wants $995.00 for a ready to shoot 1861. "...with a smooth bore mean 50 yds or less..." 75 if you're adventuresome. snicker. "...out to 200..." Hit an elephant at this distan....." Supposedly a good shot could go to 500 during your Civil War.
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October 28, 2020, 01:55 PM | #18 | |
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Quote:
Gary |
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October 28, 2020, 02:54 PM | #19 |
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A couple years ago I went with a smoothbore replica Brown Bess. I've read some say above that people have had trouble with a flintlock when they first start out but luckily I've had no problems. You get a good flint and mount it with a piece of leather and all you need is powder. Most Brown Bess will be in .75 caliber. I shoot both .69 and .75 balls with a lubed patch. Once you get your rifle get onto "Track of the Wolf" web site. They are great for everything you will need to get started.
I bought my Brown Bess from the Middlesex Village Trading Company. http://www.middlesexvillagetrading.com/ Their reproduction guns start at about $650 and go up from there. I've got hundreds of rounds through mine and it's still running strong. Good luck with whatever you decide. |
October 29, 2020, 02:03 PM | #20 |
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The local gunsmith's personal hobby is NMLRA. He showed a target shot with a smoothbore fusil at 25 yards. Looked about like a typical modern pistol group.
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October 30, 2020, 05:47 AM | #21 | |
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Quote:
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October 30, 2020, 09:48 AM | #22 |
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If it's possible for you in your area, find someone who'll let you try one out, flint and/or percussion. Then, after the session, if possible, be in on the cleaning of the gun, too. If this is your first commitment on a muzzleloader, you'll need to know what's all involved from the first shot from a clean gun, until you put it away properly cleaned for the next outing.
A while back I was considering a purchase on an M1861 Springfield. It would have been a Pedersoli, hands down. Still considering, haven't yet. Might be hard to find one new these days. (?) |
November 1, 2020, 07:47 PM | #23 | |
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Quote:
Gary |
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November 1, 2020, 08:07 PM | #24 |
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Rifle musket (Civil War minie ball).
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November 1, 2020, 08:36 PM | #25 |
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Flintlock Fowler
Probably should also be in the classified section but I just thought about it now. See my post #13.
I have a 20 gauge flintlock fowler by Matt Avance of Tennessee Valley Muzzleloading that I no longer use. Nothing wrong with the gun; I am not able to hunt the uplands with my back the way it is. The gun is available. (My other fowler in 16 gauge I am keeping.) Interested? Let me know here and by PM. Pete Info and pics from TVM. Ignore the $. https://www.tvmnatchez.com/fowler
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