Suggest Me a Muzzleloader

[red rick]

Beautiful picture .

 

[Shanghai McCoy]

I own a TVM Jaeger flintlock in 54 caliber and it is a great shooting rifle. It is well made and I'd be happy to take it on an elk hunt as it is light and balanced very well.
(But then, the chances of me ever going on an elk hunt are somewhere south of slim to none... )

 

[david58]

Casting ball is the only smart way to go, unless you have a large budget and can access a store or the Internet to get exactly what you want.

I spent about two hours casting 60 bullets for my wife's 54, but my success rate is about 45%, and I am still learning how to cast bullets. I would estimate I could cast some 200+ balls for my 62 in that time.

I have never seen a non-military muzzleloader that shot musket caps. And I have seen more than a couple.

Powder has turned out to be the biggest issue for me, as I am a tightwad and I am running out of $6 per pound 3F. And my distributor buddy passed away some time back. So I will have to go retail. And I only have about 100# of lead, so will have to start hunting lead soon, too. Don't let the issue of ball or powder sway you from what you want; however, I DO plan to get a 40 for me and one for my wife, so we can deer and squirrel hunt on the cheap (and my shoulder don't hurt as much behind a 40 as a 62).

 

[BCRider]

Since you want to actively hunt with the new toy I've got to suggest you go with a caplock over a flint. Perhaps later on with a flint. But for a first time go 'round I'd say cap. And at least a .54 and preferably a .62 so you've got a little heavier ball for added penetration.

I've got four muzzle loaders now. Only one has a swamped barrel. It's hands down my favorite for the lovely sense of balance that barrel gives the gun. A swamped barrel might push the price of your gun up over your budget by a little. But it would be well worth it.

 

[Idaho shooter]

I am a big fan of the Pedersoli Hawkins. They are more accurate then most of us can see to shoot them. The .54 is a great flat shooting rifle, normaly using 60 grains of 2F, but really hums with the elk load of 100 grains. I buy components off the shelf, so the .54 may be an advantage in that respect. I admire a lot of the custom rifles, but if you look at the price, I don't think you can go wrong with the Pedersoli.

 

[Crawdad1]

In my experience Pedersoli does make a good barrel. Not the best but good enough for most. However, a feller over on the ALR forum considers Pedersoli one of the better barrels. He was deposed during the ruckus with the GR Douglas barrel lawsuit as an expert witness so his opinion does hold some weight.

 

[david58]

Crowded, what ruckus was that?

 

[Crawdad1]

David, that particular lawsuit drove GR Douglas out of the muzzleloading barrel business. I believe it was 1985 where a shooter lost his thumb, index and middle finger and part of his hand to a Douglas barrel eruption. They found that the steel being used after Douglas cold drew it through a die weaken it making it not suitable for a rifle barrel. The guy I mentioned is a metallurgist and he is a big fan of Pedersoli barrels among others, Green Moutain, Ed Rayl.

 

[Panzerschwein]

I saw one of those Pedersoli Maple Hawkens in Cabelas one time.

I had to leave to change my pants. Yes, it was that pretty in real life. Like someone mentioned, they have sales on them from time to time. Wait for a sale and you'll save several hundreds dollars.