new to muzzleloading

[timjberkley]

i'm new to muzzleloading and i want and old style sidelock rifle i was wondering if anyone had any comments about CVA's mountain rifle or their St. Louis Hawken rifle. any comments or suggestions appreciated

[astrix]

Just my opinion,but I would spend a little more
and get a Lyman or T/C.You will have a better
rifle and be happier in the long run.Not bashing
CVA,but my experiences with their rifles have not
been real good.However,my T/C rifles have never
let me down and their warranty is outstanding.I have
friends who have Lyman's and they have been satisfied
as well.You do seem to get what you pay for with
muzzleloaders.

[Keith Lewis]

I suggest checking some local gun shops for used T/C rifles. Thompson will stand behind a rifle no matter who bought it or if you got it used. I picked up a T/C .54 Hawken with a full box of accessories, bullets, primers and loaders and the rifle did not have a scratch on the stock or the metal. It shoots great and the cost was $190.00 out the door. If the barrel is clean you really can't go wrong as they will fix anything that goes wrong with the lock, trigger etc. You can also get drop in barrel assemblies for the T/C sidelock rifles from Greenmountain for $150 so you can have two rifles with the same stock. I got a .50cal slow twist barrel for the Hawken so I can shoot round ball in some local matches and use the .54 for elk if I decide to leave my Omega in camp. Good luck but I strongly recommend the T/C due to the american manufacture and part availability. The Lyman is an Italian made rifle. It is a good one but the parts have to come from across the pond.

[lostid]

Welcome too ya timjberkley  well ta tell ya the truth pilgram,,they all shoot purty good if a feller knows sum about'm,,and what yer lookin for an how much ya spend :grin:

 If'n you got Unkle Luke's ole Mountian Rifle fer 50 bucks? Get It! If'n you got some feller want's $300 for sum gun he say's shoots best? well? then you best ask a few more questions and/or read back some,,check the "archives",,ya know that old reedin what other fellers wrote from years back?

 CVA are good rifles. and unless they are rusted from neglect,,they'll out-shoot  any T/C every day!!!!!!      that I seen!

[sharps4590]

Hey Tim...

I've had several CVA's over the years and they all shot as good as most other muzzleloaders I've owned.  The only problem I had with one rifle was that unless the drum and nipple were absolutely spotless it would mis-fire on the first shot.  No problem at a match but something to consider for hunting.  I shot a Lyman GPR in 54 cal. for years.

I no longer own any CVA's as I've upgraded over the years.  Nor do I own any T/C's.  I do own one Lyman, a Great Plains pistol.  

I would have to agree with most of the other posters.  Spend a little more money and get a lot more rifle in the Lyman or T/C.  I don't particularly care for the T/C's and would recommend the Lyman over them.  That is to say nothing derogatory about the T/C's, they are fine rifles.  I simply prefer the Lyman.  There ain't no flys one either one of them.

Vic

[Gregory]

I bought a used TC Renegade by posting a WTB ad here in the classifieds.  I've very pleased with it.

[fffffg]

ive got a pawn shop and ive got two bp rifles on the wall..  a left hand 50 cal lyman for 150, and a cva type  home built .45 for 100 dollars..  theve hung there for quite awhile, so im guessing if you look at 2nd hand shops and pawn shops you could find a cheapie.. or get one new,, the important part is to get one and for heaven sakes use some lube on that patch and dont burn the country side down..   :-D    then one of two things will happen. youll put it in the closet or a year from now youll own three more..  :twisted:   have fun..    the best way tho is to buy a 1200-1600 dollar custom flintlock from a reputable builder  and be done with it...   dave

[crow_feather]

First Tim, welcome to Greybeard.
 
Most everyone on this thread has a ton of muzzle loader experience and as you can already see, there is more than one way to skin the apple.

If you want to just see what it's all about, I could see a mountain rifle workin for a while.  You have to remember though, that the less expensive rifles will not always work as well as the other rifles discussed.  Sometimes, people get a bad experience with a rifle that wasn't made as well as another similar brand.  It turns them off black powder shooting and we loose a convert.  So we try to ensure that a person's first experience is a good one.

Be sure to carefully check the barrel of any used rifle that you buy.  Run a dry patch down the bore with a cleaning jag.  Feel  through your fingers on the ramrod how rough the bore is.  If there is any roughness, it indicates possible pitting of the bore and a bore light is necessary.  

Whatever you get, be sure to find a good book on the subject and go to a range where blackpowder is shot.  Find a person shooting a sidelock, walk up and ask for a little guidence.  Most true blackpowder shooters love talking about it as much (almost) as shooting it.

I have had over 30 years of fun with muzzleloading.  I wish upon you the same.

C F