Interested in blackpowder

[QuailKiller]

I want to get started in blackpowder hunting, hopefully by next fall.  I like the traditional style guns only, and I was thinking about getting something like a Cabelas Hawkin, or a Lyman Deerstalker with percussion cap.  Are these any good?  Also, I am leaning toward getting a .54 cal. because I will want to hunt deer, elk, and black bear.  I know, I'm sure a .50 would do fine, but everyone has a 50.  I want something a little different.  If I am going to try to be traditional, I might as well go all the way, so I think I would like to use patched round balls.  Is this a good choice?

[flintlock]

In a traditional styled muzzleloader for deer, definately go with a .54 and patched round balls...with 80-100 grs black powder they will kill just fine...I would suggest the Lyman Great Plains rifle, it is a little more traditionally styled and has a good reputation...

Some good reading if you want to learn more...Foxfire 5, talks about making and hunting with muzzleloaders...and Allen Eckerts books "The Frontiersmen" and "That Dark and Bloody River"..talk about the settling of Kentucky

[Gregory]

QuailKiller
 
I started with an inline muzzleloader but it didn't take me too many years to convert to traditional.  I have two Thompson Center Renegades, both left handed one in 50 and one in 54.  
I'm shooting strictly round balls and I'm handicapped somewhat by the 1-48" twist.  My most accurate loads are only about 70-75 grs of FFG.  
I'll be hunting with the 50 cal for deer this year for the first time.  I'm still playing with the 54 so it may go on next years hunt.
I'm setting 80 yds as my outside limit with the 50 cal. for this year.

Welcome to the fun!
 
 
 
 
 
 :-)  :-)

[lostid]

a welcome too you Quailkiller, and best of luck too ya.


To answer your two Questions,
Yes, and
Yes.
 And I like your idea of one years practice,,and bigger than the .50!

 Do your self a favor,,read all of the back or "previous" pages listed at the bottom right corner for a few years,(YEARS!)(and that will take day's) that pertain to your questions. this will allow you gain a vast amount of shared knowledge that pertains too nothing of "todays'" persuasion,,. you will git hit with alot of "youshould" info very soon.. but the 'archives' here are a vast source of current info. ain't much changed about trad guns and prb rifle guns latley,, seems all these current guy's gotta "one-up"each other all the tyme.
 luck too ya,,study

[rusty51]

Take a look at the Lyman trade rifle as well

[slayer]

I myself love all muzzleloaders, but #1 is a long barreled Hawken style flintlock, hence I own a few year old .50 T/C Hawken flinter, sold the standard 28 inch 1:48 twist barrel and bought a T/C 31 inch 1:66 replacement barrel for her. 90-100 gr FFG, super accurate and is quite hefty and I prefer a heavy gun. I also love my T/C .50 Renegade caplock with the stock 26 inch 1:48 barrel, that one shoots the roundball with 70-80 gr FFG very well. Roundballs are all I shoot in them right now, but ma goinf to try the Buffalo Bullet Ball-Et in them and see how they shoot it, the 245 gr version. My NEF Sidekick with a 1:28 barrel shoots it quite well with 90 gr FFG, a little better with 80 gr, but I like the extra power of the 90 gr load. good luck and keep us posted in what you get. The Cabelas Hawken is a great gun for the money and it doesn`t have the dreaded QLA barrel like the new T/C have. My T/C don`t have it. While ok for conicals, it is sloppy loading the roundballs. T/C roundball 1:66 replacement barrels don`t have the QLA and my Renegade is an older model and they didn`t have the QLA then. Jack.

[Slamfire]

I prefer the Hopkins & Allen underhammer replicas. The ignition is as positive as an inline so you can use any powder you wish. The big reason though is I'm a southpaw.  :grin: