New to forum, question on Traditions - Fox River Fifty

[Cilydaniel]

I am new here, and while i can't find a ton of info on this rifle, coming here for help.
here we go. This is for target and Deer hunting.


1. Traditions - Fox River Fifty 50 cal,  1/48 twist. about 32 inch barrel. give or take.
2. Type of rounds i can use?
3. Powder to use.
4. Max safe load for powder.
5. Several combination's of bullet and powder that shoot great.

Looking for any information that will help me learn and enjoy this small little 50cal.

Donny

[Semisane]

About two years ago I was looking at a Fox River model in our local classifieds.  Didn't know anything about them so  I sent an e-mail to Traditions Firearms to get some info on the gun.  Here's my e-mail and the response.

TO: info@traditionsfirearms.com   

There is a used Traditions "Fox River" model sidehammer 50 caliber muzzleloader advertised on a local web site that I am considering buying, but can't find any info about it on your web site or elsewhere.  Can you tell me when these guns were made, who made them, and the approximate MSRP of the gun?

Any help appreciated.

XXXX

TO:  XXXX

Good Morning XXXX,

The Fox River Fifty was an exclusive model that we imported back in 1995 for Gander Mountain.  At that time GM sold them for approx. $99 for the blued barrel, beech wood model. They were manufactured by Ardesa, the Spanish > firearm manufacturer that makes all of our muzzleloading long rifles and single shot pistols.

Thank you for your interest in Traditions muzzleloading rifles. If we can assist you further in the future, please let us know.
 
Customer Service
Traditions

That rifle should be a good shooter.  I would try some patched .490 balls over something like 70 to 85 grains of Pyrodex RS.  There's nothing wrong with trying various bullet/sabot combinations and/or various conicals like the Horandy Great Plains bullets (which are usually pretty good shooters in a 1:48 twist) and Lee REALs.  If I recall, that gun has a drum and nipple rather than a bolster breech plug.  With patched balls, I wouldn't go over about 110 grains of powder.    For heavy conicals and bullets over 250 grains I don't think I would go over 90 grains of powder.   You will probably get your best accuracy in the 70 to 85 grain powder range with most bullet selections.  For a fun 50 yard plinking load, try patched balls over 40 or 50 grains of Pyrodex.