Author Topic: help me choose a rifle (Read 1575 times)

Matt85 · « **on:** June 08, 2012, 10:56:26 PM »

so ive recently started shooting black powder and have been learnen the ropes with a Pietta 1858 new army which has been a blast! but now id like a rifle aswell and ive always admired the old "long rifles" of our countries past. ive been looking into three rifles and id like you guys to tell me what you think. please feel free to give out advice as i am a novice.

1. Pedersoli 50 cal Pennsylvania rifle
2. Pedersoli 50 cal kentucky rifle
3. pedersoli 50 cal frontier rifle

all of these i found on the dixie gun works site but id probably shop around if i could figure out which one i like the most. i like the frontier and the pennsylvania for there set triggers but overall i like all three rifles and cant really make up my mind. (although im drawn to the dixie pennsylvania rifle due to the brass work

)

edit: i should mention all of these will be percussion cap as im not ready to start playing with flint... give me time

bubba.50 · « **Reply #1 on:** June 09, 2012, 07:53:34 AM »

they're basically variations of the same gun so i'd recommend gettin' the one yer "drawn to" as it's only slightly more & you'll be happier in the long run. of course, ya could also get the single trigger kentucky with all the brass now & later tell the little woman ya just hafta "upgrade"

. for what it's worth, luck to ya & have a good'en friend, bubba.

keith44 · « **Reply #2 on:** June 09, 2012, 10:25:05 AM »

A few years ago I was looking for my first flinter and looked at the same models in .32 and .36 cal. I chose the Penn Rifle. If I had to do it again, I'd choose a carbine version of the same gun (if it is still available) I chose the Penn over the others for the set trigger and adjustable sights. Factories just can't seem to put sights in the right place to get on paper these days.

Like bubba.50 said, same basic rifle, so pick the one you find purdiestest

keith44 · « **Reply #3 on:** June 09, 2012, 10:26:36 AM »

Oh and follow DGW's load info for top accuracy

Matt85 · « **Reply #4 on:** June 09, 2012, 08:13:59 PM »

by adjustable do you mean the one that lets you adjust the elevation?

i took another look and im pretty much set on the Pennsylvania rifle but they offer two different types. one which allows for elevation control that has a 1-48 twist rate and one that does not have elevation control but has a 1-56 twist.

the twist rate confuses me a little bit... they are both 50 cal, why different twist rates? what are the advantages of each?

thanks

keith44 · « **Reply #5 on:** June 09, 2012, 10:50:45 PM »

Quote from: Matt85 on June 09, 2012, 08:13:59 PM

by adjustable do you mean the one that lets you adjust the elevation?

i took another look and im pretty much set on the Pennsylvania rifle but they offer two different types. one which allows for elevation control that has a 1-48 twist rate and one that does not have elevation control but has a 1-56 twist.

the twist rate confuses me a little bit... they are both 50 cal, why different twist rates? what are the advantages of each?

thanks

adjustable: in this case no, the rear sight sits loosely in a dove tail and has a set screw that holds it securely in place, so windage and elevation can be adjusted.

Ok Twist rates. In simple terms it is like thread pitch on a bolt or screw. Expressed as a number of turns or revolutions per inch of forward travel. The faster the twist or turns per inch the longer (and therefore heavier) the bullet can be. In the case of the 56 twist or the 48 twist That is 1:56 or one turn in 56 inches of travel and is considered slow twist. Likely intended for roundball shooting. The 48 inch twist is supposed to be an all around twist rate able to shoot both roundballs and conical projectiles. (and it does Ok for hunting)

IronBrigade · « **Reply #6 on:** June 10, 2012, 12:52:13 AM »

Matt
Cabelas has the the Blue ridge percussion rifle on sale for 599.00 (same as Pedersoli frontier rifle, both made by pedersoli ) The Kentucky rifle is on sale for 549.00.
If it were me I would buy the 54 cal. blue ridge rifle because I shoot mostly patched ball and it has the slower twist (1:65 twist ) for patched ball. Good luck on your decision and let us know what ya decide to get.

Matt85 · « **Reply #7 on:** June 12, 2012, 12:52:19 AM »

Quote from: IronBrigade on June 10, 2012, 12:52:13 AM

Matt
Cabelas has the the Blue ridge percussion rifle on sale for 599.00 (same as Pedersoli frontier rifle, both made by pedersoli ) The Kentucky rifle is on sale for 549.00.
If it were me I would buy the 54 cal. blue ridge rifle because I shoot mostly patched ball and it has the slower twist (1:65 twist ) for patched ball. Good luck on your decision and let us know what ya decide to get.

ive been putting some thought into this rifle or the dixie pennsylvania rifle that dixie gun works is offering. the dixie rifle is a 50 cal rifle with a 1:56 twist which should make it good for shooting patched ball ammunition. my thoughts are that for $150 more i could save money in the long run with the smaller ball.

hows my logic?

flintlock · « **Reply #8 on:** June 12, 2012, 01:21:19 AM »

Buy you a .530 mould so you can make your own balls...Then buy a yard of cotton pillow ticking and cut your own shooting patches...Now you're saving money.

Swampman · « **Reply #9 on:** June 12, 2012, 03:30:50 AM »

There are no good inexpensive flintlocks. Consider the Lyman Plains Rifle from Midsouth Shooter's Supply in percussion.

Matt85 · « **Reply #10 on:** June 12, 2012, 11:42:18 PM »

i ended up jumping on the 50 cal rifle, i guess it came down the the more common caliber and visual appeal. i like the brass work on the rifle and it will make a good wall hanger inbetween making smoke.

im not sure if im allowed to link things on this forum but here it is: https://www.dixiegunworks.com/product_info.php?products_id=5922&osCsid=caffba94eb173cbe7b0b04bbb69baa5a
(please let me know if i need to remove the link)

thanks for all yer advice!

keith44 · « **Reply #11 on:** June 13, 2012, 02:59:25 PM »

nice one!! One thing to be aware of is how the barrel is pinned to the stock, instead of using a wedge. To remove the barrel from the stock requires A LOT of patience! and attention to detail! A small drift will drive them out, but tap on the small end to prevent splitting the wood. You should not need to remove the stock very often (I know a couple fellas who never do) but if you ever have the need, be careful.

Matt85 · « **Reply #12 on:** June 13, 2012, 08:59:20 PM »

can any one recomend a decent cleaning/range rod for this rifle? the 41.5" barrel length is making it a bit hard to pick one.

thanks

IronBrigade · « **Reply #13 on:** June 14, 2012, 12:04:04 PM »

Great choice Matt! Congrats on your new Rifle. Now the fun begins.

keith44 · « **Reply #14 on:** June 14, 2012, 06:41:50 PM »

Quote from: Matt85 on June 13, 2012, 08:59:20 PM

can any one recomend a decent cleaning/range rod for this rifle? the 41.5" barrel length is making it a bit hard to pick one.

thanks

I went with hickory rods myself. BUT my rod rubs the lands, I also have an "unbreakable" type that I filed and sanded a cleaning jag into. Got both from Dixie Gun Works, can't find a link, but they're in the catalog

Matt85 · « **Reply #15 on:** June 21, 2012, 12:10:24 AM »

the rifle showed up today!

overall the rifle looks pretty good, the brass work is a bit rough and dirty but i think ill be able to clean that up. the muzzle is also in the white which does bother me a little, i would have preferred it be browned like the rest of the barrel but again ill live. the stock and how the gun shoulders is very alien to me, i have a feeling it will take some getting used to. also, calling this gun "nose heavy" would be an understatement, i will have to start working out my left arm more if i intend to hold this rifle steady for any period of time. all in all it looks like it should be a blast to shoot!

can any one tell me the purpose of the little brass hook on the trigger guard about 3" back from the set trigger is for? i cant seem to figure out how to hold the rifle so this hook wont stab my pinky finger.

IronBrigade · « **Reply #16 on:** June 21, 2012, 08:42:26 AM »

The last post requires a picture.

keith44 · « **Reply #17 on:** June 21, 2012, 02:35:39 PM »

now you know why I would recommend the carbine versions.

Pictures please

Matt85 · « **Reply #18 on:** June 21, 2012, 05:16:50 PM »

Quote from: keith44 on June 21, 2012, 02:35:39 PM

now you know why I would recommend the carbine versions.

Pictures please

one of the charms of this rifle is its length, ill learn to deal with it.

i dont own a camera... my cellphone has a camera on it but the pictures will be so bad its not worth it. ill be seeing my dad and my sister this weekend and ill see if they have a camera.

keith44 · « **Reply #19 on:** June 21, 2012, 05:52:37 PM »

Quote from: Matt85 on June 21, 2012, 05:16:50 PM

Quote from: keith44 on June 21, 2012, 02:35:39 PM
now you know why I would recommend the carbine versions.

Pictures please

one of the charms of this rifle is its length, ill learn to deal with it.

Yeah, I wouldn't trade mine for a shorter one, but there have been times when the extra length was a hindrance. There have also been a couple shots I've pulled off that I credit the extra length with. 60 yard head shot on a fox squirrel for one.