Pedersoli Kodiak .58 opinions wanted...

[redleg155]

Greetings,
 
I'm not as much into muzzleloaders as much as modern guns, but I am no stranger to developing regulating loads in double guns either.
 
I think I have an opportunity to acquire an older, first run I think, Pedersoli Kodiak percussion .58 caliber double.  I'm not scared of the work required to develop regulating loads, so I'm in search of any opinions, feedback or reviews from owners or previous owners of these. 
 
What is the ball-park value of these?
 
It looks like it could be a real fun piece...
 
Thank you in advance - redleg

[keith44]

Mine is .54x.54, and is a hoot!  A few things to do BEFORE you buy it.

Have the current owner remove the barrels from the stock and hand them to you.  Hang them by a string and give em a rap with a raw hide mallet.  They should ring like a bell.  If they do not walk away!  Inspect the nipples, then remove them and with a flash light look into the flash channel, check for rust or other corrosion.  Look also at the hooked breech area for corrosion. Check the bore also.   Check the side lock plates for corosion, and check the trigger pull on both triggers.  If all of this checks in good condition that leaves value.  Brand new in the box shipped to your door they run around $1,200.00  For a perfect specimen I would give $600 used.   For one that the barrels did not pass the ring test $20.00  cause it has been abused and is not shootable. 

That is just my opinion, others may have something to add

[redleg155]

Thank you.  I am familiar with double guns and their propper vetting - just not as much with muzzleloaders.  Your input is helpful - thanks.

[Rock Home Isle]

Very good advice keith44...

[keith44]

Thank you.  I am familiar with double guns and their propper vetting - just not as much with muzzleloaders.  Your input is helpful - thanks.

Ok, you are welcome.  As muzzleloaders go, these seem to have a couple of quirks.  Pedersoli recommends a max load of 60 grains of 2F with a patched roundball.  Cabela's encloses load data with the guns (.54's anyway) that allows 100 grains of 2F, but only 80 grains of Pyrodex.  No one will share the regulation load, but mine regulates at 70 yards with 90 grains 2F and a Hornady Great plains bullet.  Mine also requires alot more bullet lube than any of my other muzzleloaders.  The shallow rifling is prone to filling with fouling near the muzzle (last four inches) and does best with a grease cookie under the bullet.  The mass of these guns keeps recoil light (as you would expect from a double rifle) and composite groups of 3 and 3 at 70 yards measure right at 3 inches off a bench, or just over 2 inches from a kneeling position.  Standing groups are around 2.7 to 3.25 inches. 

Please post if you go through with the purchase

[redleg155]

Don't have it yet, probably in a couple weeks.  Here are some photos though.  I believe it is a "Trail Guns Armory" early import, .58 cal. with a low number 3xx.  The barrels were browned and not blued, which I like.  I hope to have a range report sometime this year...
 
- redleg
 





 

[keith44]

I like the browned barrels, and the in the white lock plates.  I'll post pics of mine later to compare the older with what was available 6 or 7 years ago.  I think the similarities are interesting.

[keith44]

I just noticed your top wedge is engraved, or hatched, where mine is slick smooth.  I think the greatest appeal of these rifles (at least for me) is that they capture the spirit of the British Double Rifle, at a reasonable price.

[keith44]

anxiously awaiting a first firing or range report...

[bear55]

Nice looking gun, hope it works out for you.  I have a 58 kodiak that I have been playing with for awhile now the barrels were made by Trail Guns Armory???  Shoot 80 gr. of ffg.  Left barrel likes a minie I modified and right barrel likes REAL.  Plan in the next while is to use RB. just need to work out patch material that will work.  Potential to be quite accurate with RB.  Empties the powder flask fairly fast as filling two barrels at once.  Have fun & good Luck.